Tsmoki-Minsk defeated Nizhny Novgorod at home, 77-52 (30-11, 14-14, 16-13, 17-14).
Top Scorers
Tsmoki-Minsk: Antonio Graves (25), Mikita Meshcharakou (13+5 reb), Justin Gray (12+9 ast), Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (10+5 ast)
Nizhny Novgorod: Kenny Boynton (16), Petr Gubanov (7+5 reb)
Turning Point
Nizhny Novgorod was eliminated from postseason contention last week and the lingering disappointment was evident in the 1st quarter.
Tsmoki-Minsk, playing at home, blew the game wide away open in the 1st quarter. Antonio Graves, who finished with a game-high 25, scored eight points and Minsk ended the period on an 11-0 run, leading 30-11.
Nizhny was much better on defense the rest of the way, holding Tsmoki to 17 points or less in each of the remaining quarters, but the offense never clicked.
The visitors were ultimately held to a season-low 52 points on 33% shooting from the field.
Tsmoki-Minsk improves to 5-18 with the win, while Nizhny finishes the season at 8-16.
Stat
36-12 – Tsmoki dominated the scoring in the paint, getting easier buckets around the rim.
Video
Tsmoki-Minks vs Nizhny Novgorod one minute highlights 📹 pic.twitter.com/jlGjNkPuxm
— VTB United League (@VTBUL) April 16, 2017
Quotes
Tsmoki-Minsk head coach Alexander Krutikov:
– Congratulations to all basketball fans and our supporters with our final home win in the VTB United League. I think our good defense from start to finish was the key to success. We were also able to isolate Nizhny’s starting point guard: Boynton wasn’t able to create anything in the first half. From the beginning, we pulled away by 20 points and maintained that advantage to the end. You know, there are situations when you prepare less for a game than an opponent, but look better. Thanks to the guys for how they played and executing the plan.
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Arturs Stalbergs:
– First of all, I want to thank the fans that came to support us in Minsk. It’s too bad we are ending the season like this. We came out unprepared and didn’t hit our shots. There are days like this, when nothing goes in, even under the basket. Tsmoki picked up a 19-point lead in the 1st quarter. That’s tough to overcome. It’s too bad some of our players didn’t look very hungry today. The season probably ended for them a week ago, when we lost out on the postseason. Congratulations to Minsk. They played an excellent game.
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Up Next
Tsmoki-Minsk: April 23 at Lokomotiv-Kuban
Nizhny Novgorod: Season complete
