Nizhny Novgorod beat Astana on the road – 79:69 (20:15, 21:20, 20:14, 18:20).
Top scorers:
Astana: Devyn Marble (16 + 7 rebounds), Martins Meiers (14 + 8 rebounds + 3 blocks), Dmitriy Gavrilov (11 + 5 rebounds), Michael Thompson (10 + 5 assists).
Nizhny Novgorod: Evgenii Baburin (15 + 5 rebounds + 4 steals), Artem Komolov (13), Anton Astapkovich (13 + 5 rebounds), Aleksandr Gankevich (13), Kasey Shepherd (11 + 6 rebounds).
Story
Nizhny came to Kazakshtan without their starting center Alexandre Gavrilovic. The hosts tried to benefit from it immediately. The main hero of the start of the game was Astana’s big Martins Meiers. He scored 8 points that were Astana’s lea basis – 10:4. But Nizhny took over the game quickly. The run was inspired by guards trio: Artem Komolov, Evgenii Baburin and Ivan Strebkov scored 15 points that let the guests win the first quarter – 20:15.
Хм, это блок-шот или перехват у Евгения Бабурина? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/oI5OkvGx02
— VTB League (@VTBUL) December 5, 2020
At the beginning of the second quarter after Evgenii Baburin and Anton Astapkovich long range shots Nizhny gained double digit lead – 26:15. However, they couldn’t increase it. The hosts became more careful and attentive in defense and found new offensive leader Michael Thompson (9 points in the quarter). In a slow position game none of the team couldn’t make a decisive run. Thus, by the half break Novgorod were up ahead but only by 6 points – 41:35.
In the third quarter Nizhny showed lockdown defense. They were forcing opponents turnovers and bad shot selections. The guests weren’t good at offense. However, tight points by Aleksandr Gankevich and long range bombs let the Russians keep the confident lead – 61:49.
Key moment
By the fourth Nizhny’s guard Kasey Shepherd was on fire. The American scored 8 team points in a row and increased the advantage to 17 points – 66:49. 4 points by Martins Meiers brought the intrigue back to the game for a while but Baburin’s three and and-one drive brought the comfortable lead back to Nizhny Novgorod – 72:53. In the remaining time the hosts tried to get back to the game but Russians’ aggressive defense destroyed their hopes.
Hero
Evgenii Baburin became the top scorer (15 points) and the most efficient player (22) on the winners’ roster. Moreover, he gained 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.
Stat
11 from 27 (40%) – It was three-pointers that decided the game in favor of Nizhny Novgorod.
Comments
Astana head coach Emil Raikovikj:
– Congratulations to Nizhny Novgorod on the victory, the rivals played better and deserved the win. Me didn’t manage to find the rhythm as we hadn’t played in the VTB League for a month. Our players were very soft in this game and couldn’t attack although we had prepared. We have to do the homework after this defeat.
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
– Congratulations to our team on the victory. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it wasn’t high-level game. In the fourth we missed a few alley-oops. I think it will teach our team a lesson.
Next
Astana: December 14 @ Zielona Gora
Nizhny Novgorod: December 20 vs Enisey
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