PARMA-PARI got the 8th win of the season and ended Avtodor home winning streak— 95:94 OT (17:18, 25:19, 27:23, 15:24, 11:10)
Game progress
By the first game of 2023, the teams came up with the same 7 wins and 11 losses and 7-8 places in the standings.
As often happens in such rivals games, the start of the game was equal, but not productive. In the second quarter the opponents finally started to score and PARMA even made 3 threes in a row. But shortly before the halftime, the teams’ offense finally broke down — for almost 3 minutes they scored points only from the free-throws. PARMA-PARI had no problems in this, often forced opponents to foulard took the lead by the end of the first half – 42:37.
The guests controlled almost the entire third quarter. Pavel Antipov and Aleksandr Platunov scored three-pointers. Due to this, the Perm team had a huge lead — 55:40. The teams came to the final quarter with a 9 points difference.
Key moment
Avtodor started to make a comeback in the fourth quarter. 9 points in a row by Danilo Nikolic allowed the hosts to equalise the score. In the last minutes of regulation, Ryan Boatwright almost became an antihero with 2 missed free-throws and a turnover. But Rade Zagorac cleaned up for a teammate and then Boatright put Avtodor ahead — for the first time since the second quarter. Isaiah Reese equalised the score (84:84) and in the last seconds he also tried to score game-winner, but missed — overtime.
The overtime was nervous, but last seconds were the most dramatic. At first, Danilo Nikolic made a contested shot and seemed to leave the guests no chance — 94:92. The Perm team had a little more than a second left to create a shot and this time was enough for Justin Roberson to score a crazy buzzer-beater three-pointer. PARMA-PARI ends Avtodor home winning streak.
Key factor
Isaiah Reese signed a contract with PARMA-PARI at the very end of December replacing Bryon Allen. As a result, Reese was among the leaders in rebounds and blocks.
Fact
Before the game, Avtodor coach Darko Russo noted that the main task for his team was to stop Justin Roberson. And although Roberson did not play his best game this season, his decisive shot let Avtodor to lose.
Leaders
Avtodor: Malik Newman (24), Danilo Nikolic (21 + 6 rebounds), Ryan Boatwright (21 + 10 assists + 3 steals), Rade Zagorac (18 + 10 rebounds + 3 steals)
PARMA-PARI: Isaiah Reese (19 + 8 rebounds + 5 assists + 3 steals), Pavel Antipov (17), Justin Roberson (15 + 5 assists), Aleksandr Platunov (13), Tylor Ongwae (10 + 9 rebounds)
Next games
Avtodor: road game versus Samara on January 8
PARMA-PARI: home game against UNICS on January 8
