Pari Nizhny Novgorod defeated Astana on the road – 82:64 (26:16, 9:16, 21:11, 26:21).
Game progress
The hosts opened the score, but the Volga team took an early lead. Aggressive defense and long-range shots by Aleksa Novakovic, Evgenii Baburin and Andrey Vorontsevich allowed Nizhny Novgorod to gain a double-digit lead – 18:6.
In the second quarter, Astana managed to establish perimeter defense. Without long-range shots (0-of-6 three-pointers), Pari NN offense lost efficiency. The hosts took advantage of that. Markell Johnson and Royce Hamm led Astana. and allowed to cut the difference to just one shot by the halftime – 32:35.
Key moment
At the start of the third quarter, Novakovic and Baburin began to pull away from their opponents with long-range shots. After another three-pointer by the Serbian forward, Pari NN lead became double-digit again – 52:41.
In the final quarter, Astana players stepped up in offense and became more aggressive in defense. But by this point the guests already felt confident. The Volga team controlled the game with experience and brought it to win.
X-factor
The Volga team approached this game as the worst in the league in long-range shooting (31.9%). But today three-pointers were the key factor in the guests’ win. Nizhny Novgorod made 12 of 24 three-point shots (50.0%).
Fact
Both teams had 3 straight losses. The Russian team managed to end the losing streak.
In today’s game there were 2 debuts. Fotis Takianos played the first game at the head of Astana, and Kendall Smith made debut for Pari NN. Both of them managed to work in the same team this season. Under the guidance of Takianos, Smith took part in 7 games for PAOK.
Royce Hamm made his 8th double-double this season. Only 1 such game separates Astana forward from the League leader Octavius Ellis.
Leaders
Astana: Markell Johnson (18 + 8 assists), Royce Hamm (15 + 10 rebounds), Carvel Anderson (12).
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Andrey Vorontsevich (17), Aleksa Novakovic (14), Kendall Smith (10 + 5 assists).
What’s next
Astana (10-18): March 6 at home versus MINSK
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (8-21): March 7 at home against RUNA.
