Main events of League’s life of the past week.
Zenit get closer to regular season championship
In 4 days Zenit spent 2 games, against Enisey and Avtodor. Both went similar way, games were dictated by Petersburg: strong start and solid lead by the second quarter. Saratov were behind Zenit by 21 points by the half time, Krasnoyarsk – 27.
Both Avtodor and Zenit played better in the second half but couldn’t break Zenit’s defense. Even Xavi Pascual quotes after two of these games were about the same: “We controlled the game to the end”.
Zenit save standings leadership and get closer to first franchise regular season champions title. To save the first place by the play-offs Saint-Petersburg must win at least in 2 of 3 remaining games. The opponents are CSKA, PARMA and Nizhny Novgorod.
It’s hard to play against CSKA with 6-7 active players on the roster
Month and a half after loud Kalev’s victory in Moscow CSKA came to Kalev. They were expected to start strong at least, CSKA took devastating victories after sensational losses multiple times. However, Kalev stayed strong, by the half time the Estonians were leading! Marcus Keene scored 14 points, Tallinn hit 8 threes in 20 minutes.
Kalev started to struggle after the half time: center Devin Thomas was fouled out. Without the American according to Roberts Stelmahers’ words he had only 6-7 active players on the roster.
Short rotation killed the Estonians as a result: they had no energy for the fourth quarter, thus CSKA had a big victory in Tallinn taking revenge for February defeat.
Khimki win again without Shved
Due to back injury Alexey Shved hasn’t played for 2 weeks. Anyway, Khimki stay strong: in 3 games against Top-5 opponents they won twice, beat Zenit and Zielona Gora.
However, the Poles have problems themselves. Due to shoulder injury Geoffrey Groselle doesn’t play while newcomers Adam Smith and David Brembly still haven’t got used to Zan Tabak’s playing system.
Khimki came to Poland to take revenge, and in the first half alone made everything they could to win. While Kalev were leading against CSKA Khimki were up ahead by 29 points, none of League’s teams have ever made such comeback. Zielona Gora haven’t done it neither.
As a result, Khimki won by 19 points and saved chances to get higher in standings. If Andrey Maltsev’s team take 5 victories in 6 remaining games they will outpace Zielona Gora and take 6th spot.
Loko clinch play-offs via the victory over PARMA
It was expected that Krasnodar make League’s top-8 and the play-offs. Loko clinched the play-offs at home beating PARMA joining Zenit, UNICS, CSKA and Zielona Gora.
The game against Perm was almost perfect for Evgeny Pashutin’s squad. Mantas Kalnietis and Mindaugas Kuzminskas gained 15-points lead in the first quarter, by the half time it was 24 points.
Mantas was close to fifth double double of the season, the guard lacked only one assist. However, the Lithuanian achieved another big stat: he hit his 100th three for Loko outpacing Malcolm Delaney (99).
Astana break losing streak beating Tsmoki
The clutchest game of the week took place in Minsk, two teams with longest bad streaks met there, Tsmoki and Astana.
In the fourth via Jeremiah Hill and Eric Buckner’s makes Astana gained 13-points lead, this season Minsk usually didn’t come back with such differential. But this time Rostislav Vergun’s squad cut the gap to 1 possession and were trying to force overtime but Kris Clyburn couldn’t save the team.
This defeat was 8th consecutive for Tsmoki, they lost theoretical chances to make play-offs. Unlike, Astana left second worst place in standings for the first time since January. It’s interesting that this season Kazakhstan play better on the road (4 wins in 10 games) than at home (1-8).
Projection competition
5 from 8 teams have already clinched the play-offs, they are Zenit, UNICS, CSKA, Loko and Zielona Gora. The rest of the teams are still fighting for play-off spots.
The League started projection competition for the regular season results. All that’s required is to rank first 8 teams in the order they approach the play-offs. League has special prize for the best suggestion.
Team of the week
Standings
