PARMA defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod on the road – 74:72 (25:16, 18:24, 15:19, 16:13).
Game progress
At the start of the game, PARMA defense was able to create problems for Nizhny Novgorod forcing 9 turnovers in the first quarter. The UPerm team successfully converted steals in points and had a comfortable lead – 25:13. But B.J. Johnson quickly got 4 fouls and went to the bench, which greatly affected the guests offense. Nizhny was able to get back into the game. Philip Gafurov scored 17 points and the hosts trailed by only 3 points after the first half – 40:43.
In the third quarter, Zoran Lukic team continued to make three-pointers and finally equalized the score. With Evgenii Baburin and Aleksa Novakovic help, Nizhny had minimal advantage before the fourth quarter – 59:58.
Key moment
The teams started the final quarter equaly, but Nizhny organized a run and started to lead by 7 points more than 3 minutes before the end – 72:65. PARMA leaders responded with 6 points in a row, cutting the difference to a minimum. During the next 2 minutes, neither the guests nor the hosts managed to score any points. With 40 seconds, Richard Solomon got fouled out and went to the bench. On the next possession, Dragan Apic made a travel, leaving PARMA 19 seconds and a chance for a game-winning shot. And Reese made a difficult three-pointer and put his team ahead – 74:72. Baburin missed last shot and the Perm team got the win.
X-factor
PARMA defense played a decisive role in this game. The Perm team forced Nizhny to make 23 turnovers (a season-high), and never allowed their opponent to score in the last 4 minutes of the game. B.J. Johnson was an important player of the guests defensive structure. The forward made 6 steals, repeating a season-high of rebounds per game.
Fact
Filipp Gafurov, who moved to Pari Nizhny Novgorod on loan from CSKA, set his new United League career-high already in the second game with the new team. The center scored 22 points with 64% from the game. His previous career-high was set in Samara against Zenit (14 points).
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Filipp Gafurov (22 + 8 rebounds), Dragan Apic (15 + 5 rebounds), Aleksa Novakovic (10 + 6 rebounds + 5 assists).
PARMA: Isaiah Reese (24 + 9 assists), Aleksandr Platunov (15), B.J. Johnson (15 + 6 steals), Richard Solomon (11).
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (4-11): Decemebr 15 on the road versus Astana
PARMA (8-8): December 16 at home against Runa.
