Avtodor beat Samara at home – 84:69 (20:18, 25:19, 21:15, 18:17).
Game progress
Avtodor started the game with a 10-0 run, but Samara wasn’t going to give up early. Andrei Sopin ended the quarter with 8 points, 2 of 4 three-pointers. The guests cut the deficit to 2 points and even took the lead. Sopin efforts were supported by Artyom Pivtcaykin, who already in the second quarter set career-high 9 points. The lead changed 6 times, but in the final minutes the Saratov team managed to regain the initiative and end the first half with an 8-point lead.
After the break, Jamal Jones came out on fire. The forward scored 12 points in the quarter to give Avtodor a 14-point lead.
The lead allowed the hosts to secure a comfortable win with a comfortable advantage. Milenko Bogicevic limited the playing time of the team leaders and finished the last clash of the season with the Russian five. The Saratov team entered the Playoffs directly.
X-Factor
Three-point shooting percentage became the key. Avtodor made 13 of 21 (61.9%), Samara answered with 10 of 31 (32.3%).
Facts
Bryant Crawford scored 500th point in VTB League.
Artyom Pivtcaykin set career-high 15 points (5 of 7 field-goals made, 2 of 3 three-pointers, 3 of 3 free throws).
Avtodor dried the season series with Samara (4-0).
Leaders
Avtodor: Jamal Jones (14), Charles Manning (14 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists), Egor Sychkov (12), Dmitry Khaldeev (10 + 8 rebounds), Bryant Crawford (10)
Samara: Andrei Sopin (22 + 6 assists), Artyom Pivtcaykin (15), Egor Amosov (13 + 5 rebounds)
What’s next
Avtodor: April 23 on the road against UNICS.
