CSKA beat Kalev at home — 104:62 (26:19, 31:15, 27:18, 20:10).
The best scorers
CSKA: Alexey Shved (17), Marius Grigoris (14), Joel Bolomboy (11), Nikola Milutinov (11 + 6 rebounds), Johannes Voigtmann (8 + 10 rebounds).
Kalev: Silas Melson (12), Kristjan Kitsing (11), Donovan Jackson (10).
Game progress
CSKA’s loss in the first game with Kalev was, perhaps, the main sensation of the first round. It is not surprising that the Army team were eager to take revenge. Moreover, the Muscow team needed to restore a the right winning mood.
But Kalev did not plan to give up without a battle. This was clearly shown at the start of the game. CSKA with Alexey Shved and Nikola Milutinov actions took the lead, but at the same time could not create a comfortable lead. Only at the end of the 1st quarter, the Army team managed to escape from the opponent. Marius Grigonis, Daniel Hackett and Semen Antonov 3-point shots formed the CSKA run possible – 12:2, which allowed the Moscow team to get a double-digit lead – 32:21.
The hosts did not stop there. CSKA showed an excellent offensive game, dominated the rebound and systematically increased the lead. The guests tried to keep up with the opponent with 3-point shots, but this strategy proved ineffective. By the halftime, Kalev made only 5 3-pointers, and the team trailed by 23 points – 34:57.
The miracle not happened in the game. CSKA confidently controlled the course of the game, increased the lead and continued to demonstrate excellent offensive play in the 2nd half. The main intrigue of the ending was the Army team’s attempt for beating record of this season’s performance in the VTB League (108 points). In the last 2 minutes they needed to score only five points, but the hosts could not do it.
Hero
Alexey Shved proved to be a real leader of CSKA offense. The guard became the best player of this game in points (17 points), efficiency (20) and plus/minus (+27). It is worth noting CSKA’s two young Russian players. Alexander Khomenko updated his personal best in assists (7) and efficiency (17), and Andrey Lopatin – in steals (3) and blocks (3).
Numbers
300 – the game with Kalev became the 300th for CSKA captain Nikita Kurbanov. The 35-year-old forward became the 1st League player to reach this.
What’s next
CSKA: home game against UNICS on February 7
Kalev: home game versus Lokomotiv Kuban on January 30
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