Tsmoki-Minsk outplayed PARMA on the road – 75:68 (16:19, 20:16, 19:12, 20:21).
Top scorers
PARMA: Eigidras Zukauskas (15 + 14 rebounds), Robert Johnson (13), Mareks Mejeris (12 + 6 rebounds).
Tsmoki-Minsk: Maksim Salash (25 + 6 rebounds), Dominez Burnett (22), Robert Lowery (10 + 8 assists).
Story
It was a game of 12th and 13th ranked teams. Both viewed the match as an opportunity to climb in the standings hence no one could run far: in the first half, the biggest lead was 6 points. In the second half, PARMA’s attempts to make a run were neutralized by 8 points of Maksim Salash. Minsk took the initiative and finished the first half with a minimal lead 36:35.
After the halftime, PARMA encountered problems in offensive plays. In the third quarter, Perm spend 5 scoreless minutes, while Dominez Burnett made two shots from beyond the arc to reach double digit lead for the Dragons. The hosts cut the gap with two Zhmako’s three-pointers, 47:55 after the third.
Key moment
In the final quarter PARMA were trying to catch their rivals, but Tsmoki maintained the margin thanks to shots of Burnett and Salash.
Perm didn’t manage to revive the intrigue. 3 minutes to the buzzer, they’d finally reached the 7-point distance, but it was followed by scoreless offensive plays. Aliaksei Trastsinetski and Burnett took advantage of it to make it 71:60 and no questions left. The Dragons get their second win of the season.
Stat
68. Tsmoki showed their best defense of the season. PARMA couldn’t even reach 70 points which is their worst record in 2019-20.
Hero
Maksim Salash. 23-year-old forward set new personal best in VTB League with 25 points scored (11 of 16 field goals). The Belarusian became the top scorer of the night.
Next
PARMA: January 12, vs Astana.
Tsmoki-Minsk: December 28, vs CSKA.
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