Avtodor beat Kalev at home – 87:61 (18:21, 26:19, 20:15, 23:6).
Top scorers
Avtodor: Nikita Mikhailovskii (24 + 5 rebounds), Nate Mason (14), Markel Starks (12 + 6 assists), Gian Clavell (11), Drew Gordon (10 + 10 rebounds).
Kalev: Chavaughn Lewis (13 + 8 rebounds + 3 steals), Maurice Kemp (10 + 10 rebounds).
Story
Avtodor approached this game with 3-game losing streak. The game against Kalev was a perfect opportunity to break it. Besides Kalev’s weak start of the season their roster problems were Saratov’s advantage. The Estonians flew to Russia with 8 players. By the way, they were missing a few key players, Devin Thomas, Marcus Keene, Janari Joesaar and Kregor Hermet.
Surprisingly, the guests took the leadership in the beginning, Rauno Nurger was very confident. Saratov were struggling in the beginning but at some point they took over the game via their matchups advantage. Nate Mason individual skills and Gian Clavell’s threes brought Avtodor up ahead – 18:15. However, the ending of the first quarter was in Estonians’ favour. Brano Djukanovic and Tanel Kurbas successful actions helped Kalev take the lead back – 21:18.
But already in the second quarter hosts’ bench became a factor. Nikita Mikhailovskii and Drew Gordon were active on the floor. They scored 16 points combined in the quarter that ensured Avtodor’s lead by the end of the first half – 44:40.
In the third quarter the hosts continued to increase the lead. The Estonians tried to hold the intrigue via threes but Avtodor leaders’ bright game was a bigger factor. Mason, Clavell, Mikhailovskii and Zeljko Sakic scored 57 points in 30 minutes, thus Saratov lead reached 9 points – 64:55.
Key moment
The intrigue expired on the start of the fourth. Mikhailovskii and Markel Starks’ accurate shots started another hosts’ run. Avtodor gained 21-point advantage easily – 77:56. After it the game was decided.
Hero
Nikita Mikhailovskii spent another fantastic game. He became the top scorer and set his career-high in points – 24.
Stat
3 – Avtodor broke 3-game losing streak tonight.
Next
Avtodor: January 18 vs CSKA
Kalev: January 18 vs Zenit
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