Nizhny Novgorod beat Khimki on the road – 69:64 (19:23, 20:10, 13:14, 17:17).
Top scorers
Khimki: Errick McCollum (19), Sergey Karasev (11 + 5 rebounds), Evgeny Valiev (6 + 11 rebounds).
Nizhny Novgorod: Luke Petrasek (13), Ivan Strebkov (12 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists), Andrei Vorontsevich (12 + 6 rebounds).
Story
Khimki (11-9) and Nizhny Novgorod (13-7) have already clinched play-offs. The teams had 3 and 5 game winning streaks, they fight for a better seed.
Just after the tip-off Ivan Strebkov and Sergey Karasev exchanged the three-pointers. Khimki’s main problem in the first half was that that three was the only – 1 from 11. However, in the first quarter Khimki’s offense worked pretty well. Apart from Karasev Errick McCollum was good, Timofey Mozgov went off the bench and looked good, his shot made the score 23:19 in hosts’ favor after first quarter.
In the second quarter, Khimki’s offense was poorer, thus Nizhny started to take over the game. Two Andrei Vorontsevich’s shots by the end of the quarter led to 6-point Volga lead. In the second quarter, Khimki and Nizhny Novgorod played chaotically. Both teams had lots of opportunities, but there were far more missed shots than made ones. Khimki won the quarter 14:13.
In the beginning of the fourth Nizhny took first double digit lead of the game after hosts’ mistakes and open shots by Astapkovich and Vorontsevich. Khimki came back quickly after McCollum 3 free throws and a long-range shot by Ponkrashov. Soon, Evgeny Voronov and Evgeny Valiev punished Nizhny for sloppy passes and forced clutch – 59:62 in NN favor with 2:55 left.
Key moment
For the majority of the fourth quarter Khimki played well at defense, thus they evened the score, but with 26 seconds left they left Vorontsevich wide open on the perimeter – 67:64. It was a game-losing mistake. In final possession Khimki attempted 3 threes, but missed every shot. Strebkov hit tactical free throws and brought Nizhny 6th win in a row.
Volga clinch at least 5th seed beating Khimki, and still can get on the 4th.
Hero
Andrei Vorontsevich. Forward is second best scorer on winners roster (12 points) and also have 6 rebounds. His clutch shot that became a game-winner was crucial.
Stat
6 – games in a row Nizhny won. This is the longest winning streak for Volga since 2014.
Comments
Khimki head coach Andrey Maltsev:
– It was even game. We lost only one quarter. but it was enough to lose the game. In the end we evened the score, but details made difference. The opponents played well, with dedication, we also gave all the energy we had a day after the game against Enisey. In that game we shot 50% of threes, tonight it was 19%. This is, probably, our best as we couldn’t recover fully. We had energy, team plays, but when fatigued details decide the game.
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
– Tough game for Nizhny Novgorod and Khimki. I can’t say the game was spectacular. There were lots of non-baskteball details. Khimki played a day after previous game, we have crazy schedule as well. My players simply lack oxygen, so mistakes are obvious. Thank god there were no injuries, moving forward.
Next
Khimki: April 17 @ Kalev
Nizhny Novgorod: April 17 vs Zenit.
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