Week 3 in review: Astana and Kalev shock, Khimki the only undefeated team

Nur-Sultan, Tallinn and Saint Petersburg sensations on the agenda of the last week!

Astana come back from -14 with Loko in Nur-Sultan

2 days before the game with Loko, Astana announced Isaiah Whitehead, the guard who started 2018/19 season in Krasnodar. Whitehead couldn’t make his debut, but the match in Kazakhstan lived up to expectations, to say the least.

Loko came to Nur-Sultan with full roster, led 12 points by the halftime break, and even had +14 margin in the first half. But Emil Rajkovikj proved his best coach of 2018/19 season award. Astana came back from -14, enetered into a clutch and beat Loko for the third time in history.

Astana’s foreigners were ones to watch: Malcolm Hill (24 + 8 assists) and Dusan Ristic (21 + 9 rebounds) got to the team of the week, and point guard Jeremiah Hill renewed season record in assists–15.

Emil Rajkovikj’s emotions are priceless.

“Tallinn game is a shock”

Kalev was an absolute underdog hosting UNICS: the last time Kazan had lost was 6 years ago. Tallinn took the lead in the first quarter 22:21 and didn’t stop. By the halftime break, the margin was dead serious for UNICS.

Kazan improved the offense in the second half, but, surprisingly, hosts’ lead was only increasing. Ball control was one of the factors: Kalev made only 4 turnovers in 40 minutes, this stat went straight to League history Top-10. Moreover, Tallinn had only two foreigners on the court: Kyle Vinales and Aigars Skele scored 29 points together.

UNICS head coach Dimitris Priftis noted that his team had prepared for the game and studied the opponent meticulously. The Greek said this game was “a big shock”.

Khvostov makes debut for Zenit, Nizhny win on the road

Game in Saint Petersburg was one of the most intense. Nizhny Novgorod not only resisted Zenit at SIBUR Arena, but won in clutch. Evgenii Baburin made the decisive shot: NN captain outplayed Evgeny Voronov, drove to the paint, and…

But there was someething to cheer up Zenit fans: Dmitry Kvostov recovered from April injury. In his first appearance at Zenit he had 15 minutes with 5 points and 3 assists including this one to Colton Iverson:

Khimki are the only team to stay undefeated

The competition in season 2019/20 is tough and it can be seen in the standings. 3 weeks after the start, the reigning champions are below playoffs, and there is only one team without losses – Khimki.

This Monday, the yellow-blues won in Saratov, but it was not easy. Khimki led only 1 point after the first half (49:50).

However, Evgeny Pashutin’s players couldn’t maintain the level for 40 minutes. The margin grew up to 17 points by the end of the final quarter. Janis Timma was Khimki’s hero that night: the Latvian made 5 threes already in the first half, scored total of 27 points in that game, set new season record for 3PT which repeats his personal best of 7 threes.

Enisey nearly lose +15 in Perm

Enisey were pretty confident getting to away win over PARMA. Drazen Anzulovic’s side won each of the first two quarters, and even had +15 margin.

Probably, the offense on fire – 53 points in 20 minutes – turned out to be too relaxing for the guests. PARMA strengthened the defense end erased the differential. Perm set season records for blocks (6) and even had the lead in the clutch.

However, the hosts couldn’t manage to finish 15-point comeback. Enisey got the second W, and promoted to the 5th place in standings. Nikola Rebic was outstanding that night: the guard made 100% field goals (4/4), 4 assists and appeared in the team of the week.

“Tsmoki challenged CSKA, but didn’t find out what to do”

After the first half in Moscow, Tsmoki were close to make another sensation. Minsk scored 30 in the first quarter, and were trailing only 6 by the halftime break – 52:58. Furthermore, Tsmoki were almost perfect from the arc – 8 of 11 in 20 minutes.

But the second half was not that easy for Tsmoki. CSKA improved the defense, hit 100 points and reset club record for three-pointers (18) in VTB League.

“We challenged CSKA, but didn’t find out what to do with this one. I want my team to stop over-respecting the opponents, thinking we have no chance from the very beginning,” Tsmoki head coach Rostislav Vergun cultivates the right mentality in his team.

10 years of the first game in VTB League history

On October 14, 2009, the first game of VTB League was held. UNICS beat VEF Riga on the road.

Zenit guard Alex Renfroe–who had played for VEF that season–recalled the game:

Team of the week

Standings
Khimki retain the frist place without losses, Nizhny and Kalev jumped into Top-3.