Nizhny Novgorod topped PARMA at home – 88:73 (20:15, 22:13, 18:24, 28:21).
Top scorers
Nizhny Novgorod: Kasey Shepherd (19+5 assists), Artem Komolov (16), Sergey Toropov (13+7 rebounds), Alexandre Gavrilovic (12+6 rebounds), Ivan Strebkov (12)
PARMA: Robert Johnson (14), Adas Juskevicius (11+5 rebounds), Boris Savovic (10+6 rebounds)
Story
Both teams had scored 2 wins in 3 games before this night hence the intense game. Plus, Nizhny didn’t have their offensive star Anton Astapkovich. The first quarter proved to be intense. Nizhny run away from the start, but PARMA levelled the game one minute before the first quarter. However, the hosts took the lead back after a small run by Evgenii Baburin and Kasey Shepherd (20:15). But the Volga club took the second period completely. Alexandre Gavrilovic starred to bring double-digit lead to his team – 31:18. Before the end of the first quarter Sergey Toropov increased Nizhny’s lead up to 16 points.
But PARMA didn’t give up. Konstantin Bulanov took the leading role in the early third quarter. After one of his shots the guests came as close as ‘-7’, Ivan Strebkov responded with a three-pointer, but Ural didn’t stop and Nizhny’s lead after three quarters was only 60:52.
Key moment
Boris Savovic opened the final quarter. It looked like the guests’ comeback is close, but Artem Komolov initiated another Nizhny’s 9:2 run. Gavrilovic-Komolov-Shepherd trio tortured the opposing defesne who also were experiencing troubles with open shots. PARMA didn’t manage to overcome double-digit margin. Nizhny overtakes PARMA and climbs to 3rd place.
Hero
Artem Komolov. Nizhny had problems with rotation having only three players on the bench. Komolov was the main star of the bench with 16 points kick-starting Nizhny’s decisive run.
Stat
250. Evgenii Baburin scored only one 3-pointer, but it marked his special achievement of 250 career three-pointers in the United League. Baburin is only the 8th player in history to reach this level.
👌 В концовке первой четверти против «ПАРМЫ» Евгений Бабурин положил трехочковый – он стал 250-м для защитника @BC_NN!
Евгений стал 8-м игроком в истории Лиги, забившим 250 трех 👏 pic.twitter.com/SDyxMXdmp7
— VTB League (@VTBUL) November 14, 2020
Comment
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
“The most important that players are alive and healthy after this game. Thank god, everyone feels okay. I hope, we’ll take advantage of the coming weeks to get back in full fitness.”
PARMA head coach Kazys Maksvytis:
“Congrats to Nizhny. Tonight, they’ve been one step ahead in every move. Speaking of us, we’re not back in great shape yet, and quality basketball is yet to come. It’s a shame, that after a successful start of the league we’re losing points now. I guess the whole season will be unpredictable, so we have to work and get ready for the next game.”
Next
Nizhny Novgorod: December 5 at Astana
PARMA: November 22 vs CSKA
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