Astana defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod at home – 92:61 (22:29, 20:16, 21:11, 29:5).
Game progress
Despite the absence of key players, Nizhny started the game with a 16:8 run in the first 4.5 minutes with 100% of two-pointers. At the beginning of the second quarter, Zoran Lukic team continued to dominate in the paint, taking a double-digit lead – 33:22. Astana players showed good ball movement, which regularly giving them open shots. With Carvel Anderson three-pointers, the Kazakh team cut the difference to just 3 point by the halftime – 42:45.
The second half started Anderson and Markell Johnson 11 points in a row and put the team ahead for the first time in the game – 53:47. Nizhny regained the lead by the middle of the quarter, but the end of the quarter still remained for the hosts – Astana had a 7-point lead – 63:56.
Key moment
The beginning of the final quarter was the defining moment. Astana leaders scored 7 quick points and doubled the lead. Anderson continued to make thrtees, while Nizhny Novgorod scored only 5 points in the quarter. The Kazakh team got a confident win.
X-factor
The key reason for such a confident win was the phenomenal three-point percentage. Long-range shots helped the Kazakh team to make a comeback in the second quarter and build a lead in the second half. The hosts finished the game with 62% three-pointers.
Fact
Carvel Anderson made 8 of 10 three-pointers, setting a career-high. The guard also repeated season-high set by Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who made 8 three-pointers versus Avtodor.
Also Astana players managed to repeat the season-high in assists (25). Markell Johnson set a career-high in assist. The guard had a double-double with 18 points and 15 assists.
Leaders
Astana: Carvel Anderson (27), Markell Johnson (18 + 15 assists), Royce Hamm (12), Adam Kunkel (12).
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Aleksa Novakovic (16), Dragan Apic (10 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
Astana (8-9): December 21 on the road against Zenit
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (4-12): December 20 at home versus Runa.
