CSKA beat Astana at home – 104:91 (29:21, 26:22, 27:25, 22:23).
Top scorers
CSKA: Mike James (23 + 5 assists), Semen Antonov (16), Johannes Voigtmann (16), Kosta Koufos (11).
Astana: Malcolm Hill(28), Dusan Ristic (22 + 10 rebounds), Vadim Shcherbak (14).
Story
Strelnieks and Bolomboy let CSKA take over the game from the very beginning. However, Moscow couldn’t destroy their rivals so quickly. In tough game Kazakhstan players did really good: in the first quarter they scored more than a half of all Astana points 11 of 21. But first quarter was won by CSKA – 29:21.
Second quarter included a few hosts’ tries to increase the differential, high-scoring game from Semen Antonov (9 points in quarter) and shooting battle. In the first half both teams hit 7 threes. But Red-blues were significantly better on boards – 10 offensive rebounds and 24 points from the paint were crucial for CSKA’s lead in double figures – 55:43
The third quarter started with punch exchange. The guests broke this cycle first. Malcolm Hill was a leader who made 12:2 run fo Astana with the help of Zhigulin and Ristic, and it let Astana cut their lead to just 4 – 64:68. But the end of the quarter was taken by CSKA. Three accurate Voigtmann shots made the hosts lead double digits again – 80:68.
Key moment
High-scoring game by Malcolm Hill in the middle of the final quarter almost made the game interesting again. Astana cut rivals’ lead to 8 points – 81:89, but it was all that guests could show. CSKA’s aggressive defense combined with Mike James’ individual offensive skills helped Moscow create comfortable lead – 97:81. In rest of the time before the buzzer Astana with Ristic efforts managed to get closer to opponent, and CSKA for the first time in a few previous games scored more than 100 points.
Hero
Johannes Voigtmann played his career-high in VTB league. He set his individual records in scoring (16), efficiency points (24) and made threes (4).
Stat
26 – this amount of three-pointers teams scored combined. CSKA and Astana both showed good 3-point percentage. CSKA hit 13 of 25 (52%). Guests were a little bit worse – 13 of 26 (50%).
Comments
CSKA head coach Dimitrios Itoudis:
– We played well today, congratulations to my team. My goal was to distribute minutes in equal portions because we have 3 games next week.
Astana’s hrad coach Emil Raikovikj:
– Congratulations to CSKA on the victory. I suppose the game was interesting for fans – lots of highlights, dunks, threes. Both teams were good from behind the arc, having more than 50 percent of three-pointers. Lots of things went right for us – we will try to make it the basis of our further wins. For example, we have game against Zielona Gora. I really like how Kazakhstan players showed themselves tonight – Schcerbak, Pan and Murzagalyev. I’m sure that they will continue to develop.
Next
CSKA: December 22 on the road vs Kalev
Astana: December 22 on the road against Zielona Gora
Photo
