Kalev beat Tsmoki-Minsk at home – 88:82 (20:15, 23:27, 16:26, 29:14).
Top scorers
Kalev: Marcus Keene (27), Janari Joesaar (19 + 8 rebounds), Rauno Nurger (10), Devin Thomas (10 + 8 rebounds).
Tsmoki-Minsk: Toms Leimanis (19), Maksim Salash (19 + 5 rebounds), Kris Clyburn (12 + 6 assists), Artsiom Parakhouski (11 + 6 rebounds), Robert Lowery (10).
Story
Before the game, both teams were strenghtened by national teams leaders. Artsiom Parakhouski and Janari Joesaar were named for the game and the latter got starting five of Kalev. It’s fair to say that Joesaar was the brightest player in the first quarter. Debuting forward paced up Baltic offense which led to domination in the early period – 20:15.
The Estonians didn’t stop there. Threes by Kregor Hermet and Janari Joesaar, Marcus Keene’s skills in the mid-second quarter helped Kalev gain 14-point leat – 38:24. Minsk, however, had their own ace up the sleece. Toms Leimanis fired up the guests’ comeback with a number of offensive plays. The Latvian had reset his carrer best in the League by the halftime break with 13 points. Tsmoki cut the deficit down to 42:43.
The guests started the second half with a 9-point run – 51:43. Joesaar led the Estonians, but Minsk were remaining the lead with Leimainis’ shots. Moreover, with a boost made by Maksim Salash and Kris Clyburn, the Dragons got back to comfortable lead – 68:59.
🔥 @TsmokiMinsk start 3rd Q vs Kalev with 9-0 run! pic.twitter.com/jv7tA8IXgb
— VTB League (@VTBUL) December 9, 2020
Key moment
Marcus Keene led the hosts’ run. The American made three from beyond the arc and Kalev’s deficit was as small as 1 point. The game was decided in intense end. Keene stepped up another time. 36 seconds before the buzzer the guard made another three to mark the Estonians lead of +4 – 86:82.
Minsk tried to save the game, but Leimanis’ long distance shot was no good. Later on, Keene’s free throws put the game to an end.
Hero
Marcus Keene is the top scorer with 27 points. The American created Kalev’s comeback in the fourth quarter and sank crucial three-pointer at the last minute.
Stat
1 – Kalev’s first win in this edition of VTB League.
Comment
Kalev head coach Roberts Stelmahers:
“First of all I want to say congratulations for the team, first VTB League win this season. Basketball is all about runs. You can go up 20 or down 20 really quickly. If you are a strong team you don’t let this happen but it happens in every level. You play games fast and everything can change immediately. Janari is a great player. We need his rebounding and three point shooting. We will see how Maurice adapts to the team. Today we showed some more quality. We are moving steb by step, adding players and waiting for Lewis to come back.”
Tsmoki-Minsk head coach Rostislav Vergun:
“Obviously with new lineups we didn’t do great job defensively – we let the shooters catch their rhythm and had to work hard to get back in the game and unfortunately we let them make a big run in the last quarter. Everybody is adjusting the season and this season is full of surprises, some teams play after the quarantine, some teams are in a really good rhythm. All we can do is focus on our game, unfortunately today we let the opponent control it.”
Next
Kalev: December 12 at UNICS
Tsmoki-Minsk: December 12 vs PARMA
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