Pari Nizhny Novgorod defeated Saratov’s Avtodor at home – 83:80 (23:23, 20:17, 15:16, 25:24).
Game progress
The guests dominated at the start of the game. Pari Nizhny Novgorod missed first 7 shots, only scoring at end of the fourth minute. By that point, Avtodor had already scored 12 points. The hosts managed to take the initiative. In the first quarter, Pari NN made 5 of 10 three-pointers (50%). After Kirill Popov’s long-range shot, Pari NN took the lead for the first time – 21:20.
After a tight second quarter, the teams went back and forth in the third. First, Nizhny Novgorod took a double-digit lead for the first time – 54:42. Then the guests gradually cut the deficit. At the start of the final quarter, Igor Volkhin brought the score back to tie – 58:58.
Key moment
The game went into clutch. In the last minute, Ilya Karpenkov restored Pari NN lead – 81:80. Avtodor possession ended with Malik Newman turnover. Isaiah Washington further solidified the hosts lead with free-throws – 83:80.
The Saratov team had 5 seconds to save the game, but Newman missed the shot.
X-factor
The hosts scored most of their points from the perimeter. Pari NN made 12 of 30 three-pointers (40%).
Facts
Pari NN ended a streak of 6 home losses. For Avtodor, today’s loss was 13th in a row. The Saratov team has not won in over 2 months.
Today’s win allowed Pari NN to move closer to the Playoffs zone. Only one win separates Nizhny Novgorod team from Enisey, which is currently at 8th place.
Daniil Kasko made his debut for Avtodor. The Belarusian forward got 32 minutes on the court. During that time, he scored 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Leaders
Pari NN: Ilya Karpenkov (18 + 5 rebounds), Isaiah Washington (18 + 7 assists + 6 rebounds), Evgenii Baburin (13)
Avtodor: Malik Newman (25 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists), Alen Hadzibegovic (16 + 10 rebounds), Igor Volkhin (12 + 5 rebounds), Vitalius Pranauskis (11 + 7 assists)
What’s next
Pari NN: December 21 at home against Lokomotiv Kuban
Avtodor: December 20 on the road versus Samara.
