Samara stopped Astana offense and won the 7th game of the season — 99:51 (21:15, 27:13, 27:11, 24:12).
Game progress
The last time the team from Samara played in Kazakhstan in March 2015. Then Krasnye Krylia lost to Astana – 88:95. This time the team the Volga team was the favorite of this game. However, Sergey Bazarevich team had 4 loses in a row.
The teams started the game cautiously and made only 1 shot in the first 4 minutes. But gradually the rivals got involved in the game. The guests looked better in the first quarter. Samara combined team and individual basketball, Anton Kardanakhishvili became the joker from the bench (6 points, three–pointers – 2 out of 2). The hosts had Daniil Aksenov, who scored 11 of Astana’s 15 points — 15:21.
The second quarter secured Samara lead. The guests outperformed the opponent in all key moments. They scored better from the game (54.3% — 30.0%), made more rebounds (23-18) and made less turnovers (4-8). James Ennis and Marcos Knight actions allowed the Volga team to achieve a 20–point lead by the halftime – 48:28.
During the third quarter, the guests continued to dominate and in the middle of the quarter their lead reached 35 points — 68:33. Samara ended the losing streak and chasing Avtodor for the 8th place. And in the next round, these teams will play in the Volga derby.
Key factor
In this game, the Volga team updated the team high in three-pointers made – 13. At the same time, Samara players showed an excellent shots percentage – 59.1% (13 out of 22).
Fact
Samara updated the club high in points in 1 game (99 points) and had the biggest win in the season (+48).
Leaders
Astana: Daniil Aksenov (16), Michael Myers (13 + 7 rebounds).
Samara: James Ennis (19), Marcos Knight (18), Jordan Theodore (13 + 7 rebounds + 6 assists), KC Rivers (13).
Next games
Astana: home game versus Zenit on January 7
Samara: home game against Avtodor on January 8.
