MBA beat Avtodor in Saratov – 85:79 (25:16, 21:21, 14:19, 25:23).
Game progress
The Moscow team pressed all over the court at the start of the game, which paid off in the first 3 minutes – 12:2. The Saratov team was able to establish the game. But Vladislav Trushkin made MBA lead double-digit again. Avtodor started to have problems – Rayshawn Hammonds and Brandon Garrett each got 3 fouls and went to the bench. The absence of key bigmen weakened the hosts paint defense, which didn’t allow the Volga team to tie the game by the end of the first half. The guests had a comfortable lead by the halftime – 46:37.
In the third quarter, Malik Newman led the Volga team chase. The guard scored 8 points and helped the Saratov team to take the lead for a few minutes. But Trushkin made shots gave the guests the lead back before the fourth quarter – 60:56.
Key moment
At the start of the decisive quarter Hammonds fouled out. But even without leader, the Saratov team managed to take the lead – 66:64. After that Trushkin responded with 3 straight shots and gave MBA a 6-point lead 2 minutes before the end. Then scored 6 of 6 free throws in the last minute of the game. The Volga team couldn’t get back into the game – MBA won the 11th straight game and continue to fight for the Playoffs.
MBA will challenge for the last trip to the postseason against Samara.
X-factor
An important reason for MBA win was defense. The Moscow team forced the opponents to make 18 turnovers, and ended with only 8.
Fact
Vladislav Trushkin scored 34 points and set a career-high. The forward also became the 9th Russian in VTB United League history to score 30 points or more.
Trushkin performance was the best among Russian players since February 2021, when Alexey Shved scored 34 points for Khimki.
Leaders
Avtodor: Malik Newman (18 + 5 rebounds), Sindarius Thornwell (16 + 10 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (13 + 7 rebounds), Aleksandr Petenev (10).
MBA: Vladislav Trushkin (34), Daniil Kasatkin (16),
What’s next
Avtodor: season is over
MBA: April 20 on the road against Samara.
