PARMA beat Avtodor in Saratov – 93:89 (26:18, 23:25, 23:28, 21:18).
Game progress
The Perm team took the lead in the first quarter and reached double-digit difference several times throughout the first half. The hosts defense couldn’t stop Isaiah Reese: he had 17 points and 6 assists by the halftime. By the end of the first half, Rayshawn Hammonds and Dusan Beslac cut the guests lead to 6 points (49:43), but not for long. PARMA started the third quarter with another push and had a 13-point lead.
The Saratov team managed to regain the intrigue. And-one by Dmitry Khaldeev, Dominik Mavra three-pointers and the guests lead began to quickly decrease. The excited hosts doubled the pace, and soon Vasilije Pusica gave Avtodor its first lead of the game – 71:70!
Key moment
The ending became a real shootout. The hosts held the lead, but Aleksandr Platunov got the hot hand. His 8 points in a row helped PARMA retake the lead. Mavra responded with an and-one, but Platunov was unstoppable. First, he delivered an assist to Stanislav Ilnitskiy to three-pointer, and 20 seconds before the end made another shot. PARMA continues to battle with MBA and Astana for the Playoffs spot.
X-factor
PARMA starting five made a major contribution to the win with 91 of the team’s 93 points. B.J. Johnson and Isaiah Reese led the guests offense, but Aleksandr Platunov had the final word. The Russian guard 28 points is his United League career-high.
Fact
Avtodor and PARMA had established win/loss ratio. The Perm team pulled away from Avtodor in the standings with tonight’s win. By the way, PARMA win in Saratov in January had almost the same scenario – 95:94.
Leaders
Avtodor: Dominic Mavra (23 + 5 assists), Vasilije Pusica (19), Rayshawn Hammonds (19 + 12 rebounds), Sindarius Thornwell (8 + 5 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (5 + 6 rebounds).
PARMA: Aleksandr Platunov (28 + 6 assists), B.J. Johnson (26 + 12 rebounds), Isaiah Reese (24 + 8 assists + 3 steals).
What’s next
Avtodor (4-9): December 3 at home versus Runa
PARMA (5-8): December 3 at home against MBA.
