CSKA defeated Enisey in Moscow – 96:68 (30:12, 26:14, 18:19, 22:23).
Game progress
The start of the game was equal. After Mikael Hopkins, the guests even took a lead. But in the next 5 minutes, the Siberian team failed to score a single shot. The hosts made a 17-point run during that time. By the end of the first quarter, CSKA lead had already reached 18 points – 30:12.
The Krasnoyarsk team leader Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored his first points of the game only at the end of the second quarter. But by that time the difference was catastrophic. The Moscow team had the initiative and looked better than their opponent in offense and defense. The hosts got a 30-point lead by the halftime – 56:26.
Развязка
Key moment
The beginning of the third quarter gave hope for a return. The Siberian team offense finally started to work and began to cut the deficit. Andreas Pistiolis needed 2 timeouts to shake up his players, and it worked. Nikita Kurbanov and Tonye Jekiri gave CSKA back a comfortable lead – 69:41. The hosts gave the opponent no more chances for a comeback and got confident win.
X-factor
In the regular season, Enisey defense coped with CSKA offense. But in this game, the strong offensive play that was the key to the Moscow team win. The hosts scored 96 points. The team had never scored more than 81 in games against the Siberian team earlier this season.
Fact
Today’s game was the fourth for the Moscow team at Basket Hall Moscow this season. And in all 4 of those games CSKA won.
Nikita Kurbanov made 300 steals in his VTB League career. He became the 3rd player to reach this milestone.
Leaders
CSKA: Melo Trimble (17 + 6 rebounds + 5 assists), Tonye Jekiri (13 + 9 rebounds), Amath M’Baye (12 + 5 rebounds), Olivier Hanlan (12), Anton Astapkovic (10), Nikita Kurbanov (10).
Enisey: Xavier Rathan-Mayes (22), Jeremiah Martin (16), Beau Beech (15).
What’s next
April 24 in Moscow.
