Nizhny Novgorod defeated Lokomotiv Kuban at home – 108:104 2OT (21:22, 19:22, 18:20, 24:18, 26:22).
The best scorers
Nizhny Novgorod: Rolands Freimanis (24 + 10 rebounds), Sergey Toropov (22 + 7 rebounds), Alexandr Chadov (14), Ivan Strebkov (10 + 8 assists), Mikhail Kulagin (10)
Lokomotiv Kuban: Errick McCollum (25 + 7 rebounds), Jonathan Motley (19), Quinn Cook (15 + 8 assists), Stanton Kidd (11 + 6 rebounds)
Game progress
Loko played its debut game wwith Branko Maksimovic as the head coach. The Krasnodar team from the first minutes began to press through the paint, using Jonathan Motley strength: the American actively found contact, punishing the hosts for fouls. After five minutes of the game, Motley had 10 points. Nizhny began to trail, but quickly returned to the game, shooting two 3-pointers in a row – Ivan Strebkov and Maksim Lichutin scored.
The 2nd quarter was Sergey Toropov – Rolands Freimanis duo benefit, who scored 15 out of 19 team’s points. This allowed the hosts not only came close to their opponents, but also got ahead. However, Errick McCollum, who had a great end of the quarter, put Loko ahead again — his 10 points scored in 3 minutes allowed the guests to go for a halftime as a leaders – 44:40.
The 2nd half began with Nizhny Novgorod shots: Zoran Lukic’s players again minimized the difference. However, Loko gradually began to seize the lead. The guests took the 3rd quarter with a minimal difference, but this was enough to approach the 4th quarter with 6 points lead.
🚨 @ErrickM3 knows how to end a quarter! pic.twitter.com/eG6xdRgZ5M
— VTB League (@VTBUL) December 18, 2021
The key moment
Already at the beginning of the 4th quarter, Loko got a double-digit lead – 70:60. But the Krasnodar team could not develop their game. Jonathan Motley, who had just came to the floor, got his 4th foul and was forced to sit on the bench again. This was the signal the hosts’ run – Alexandr Gankevich, Ilya Platonov and Mikhail Kulagin helped their team to make 9:0 run. The situation for the guests worsened after a few minutes when Motley got the 5th foul and finally left the floor.
The last minute of the regulation started with a draw – 82:82. During this time, the rivals were unable to score, and the game went into an overtime. The 1st OT did not reveal the winner – in the last seconds Quinn Cook had the opportunity to bring win to Loko, but missed.
Nizhny Novgorod and Loko are playing the 2nd OT!
Watch LIVE on https://t.co/yV5SuibzOt 📺 pic.twitter.com/7qLUJSmbMn
— VTB League (@VTBUL) December 18, 2021
The 2nd OT also took place in a equal battle. A minute before the end of the game, Cook and Anton Kardanakhishvili exchanged 2-pointers, which allowed Nizhny to take the lead — 105:104. In the next possession, Stanton Kidd climbed under Freimanis and got blocked, after which the Latvian forward also scored 2 free-throws – 107:104. The guests had to rely on a 3-pointer, but long-range shots by Kidd and McCollum did not reach the goal. Nizhny Novgorod wins a difficult game and bypasses Loko, rising to the 5th place.
Hero
Rolands Freimanis. Although the Latvian forward did not enter the game at the start, this did not prevent him from spending almost 40 minutes on the floor, leading the team in playing time, points and rebounds, as well as making a double-double. In addition, Freimanis made a key block in the 2nd OT.
Numbers
212 points is the resultativity record this season.
Comments
Zoran Lukic, Nizhny Novgorod head Coach :
– First of all, I want to congratulate my guys. In extremely difficult times for us, they were able to find enough energy and character to win this game. From the point of view of individual qualities, Lokomotiv is probably even a better team than our previous rival Unicaja, but we managed to take our chance. We survived 2 overtimes! Today was really ugly basketball. Both teams are not at their best, but there should be a winner, and today it’s us. I am very pleased with the attitude of my guys to the case.
Branko Maksimovic, Lokomotiv Kuban Acting Head Coach :
– It was a very interesting game for the fans, but very nervous for the coaches. During the entire 50 minutes, we were in front, then again we were a few points behind. And at the crucial moments, they let the game out of their control. Our team needs to act more focused. I want to congratulate Zoran Lukic. He fought like a real basketball professor and in the end, thanks to his own desire and faith in the philosophy he professes, he and his team won.
What’s next
Nizhny Novgorod: home game against Enisey on January 9
Lokomotiv Kuban: home game against Astana on January 8
Photo 
