Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked CSKA as it allowed them to take a leadership position. CSKA smashed 10th ranked Enisey in Moscow 100-78. CSKA shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 67.9 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Serbian guard Aleksa Avramovic (193-1994) who scored 23 points. American guard Melo Trimble (190-1995, college: Maryland, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 20 points and 5 assists (perfect from downtown making all six shots !!!). Timofey Gerasimov (197-1997, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) produced 14 points and 5 assists for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Zenit. Enisey at the other side keeps the tenth place with 13 games lost. Enisey will play next round against strong Zenit trying to get back on the winning streak. CSKA will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked MBA Moscow. It will be extra interesting game as MBA Moscow is their local rival from Moscow.
One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Russia. The game took place in Nizhny Novgorod where fifth ranked N.Novgorod outleveled visiting Samara (7-11) 95-72. Guard Alexander Khomenko (190-1999) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Zach Nutall contributed with 27 points for the winners. Guard Anton Kardanakhishvili (195-2002) replied with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists for Samara. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. N.Novgorod maintains fifth position with 10-8 record. Samara at the other side dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Avtodor. N.Novgorod will play against higher ranked UNICS (#4) in Kazan in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Samara will play on the road against Avtodor (#8) in Saratov and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Russia. The game took place in Saratov where fourth ranked UNICS won against host Avtodor (7-11) 86-68. Worth to mention a great performance of Ismael Bako who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds. UNICS’s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Dusan Beslac responded with 18 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). UNICS maintains fourth position with 13-5 record. Loser Avtodor dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Samara. UNICS will meet at home N.Novgorod (#5) in the next round. Avtodor will play against Samara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last two games of round 20 winless Astana was crushed by Zenit in Saint Petersburg 96-59. Parma-Pari beat Lokomotiv at home 93-88.
The best stats of 20th round was 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by Alex Hamilton of Parma-Pari.

N.Novgorod – Samara 95-72

One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Russia. The game took place in Nizhny Novgorod where fifth ranked N.Novgorod outleveled visiting Samara (7-11) 95-72. N.Novgorod outrebounded Samara 43-22 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. N.Novgorod shot the lights out from three nailing 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Guard Alexander Khomenko (190-1999) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Zach Nutall (190-1999, college: SMU) contributed with 27 points for the winners. Guard Anton Kardanakhishvili (195-2002) replied with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and center Ilia Popov (210-1995, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) added 17 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Samara. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. N.Novgorod maintains fifth position with 10-8 record. Samara at the other side dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Avtodor. N.Novgorod will play against higher ranked UNICS (#4) in Kazan in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Samara will play on the road against Avtodor (#8) in Saratov and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
N.Novgorod: Z.Nutall 27+1reb+1ast, A.Khomenko 18+12reb+4ast, A.Antipov 9+7reb+1ast, I.Karpenkov 8+7reb+4ast, A.Chadov 6+5reb+1ast, S.Zotkin 6+1reb+5ast
Samara: A.Kardanakhishvili 22+5reb+7ast, I.Popov 17+5reb+3ast, I.Pynko 9+2reb+1ast, D.Chikarev 8+3reb+2ast, G.Goldyrev 6+2reb, A.Sopin 5+3reb+4ast

gschID: 1183747

Avtodor – UNICS 68-86

One of the most interesting games of round 20 was a derby match between two teams from Russia. The game took place in Saratov where fourth ranked UNICS won against host Avtodor (7-11) 86-68. UNICS looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Belgian center Ismael Bako (208-1995) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds and Turkish point guard Tony Taylor (184-1990, college: GWU) who added 12 points and 5 assists during the contest. Four UNICS players scored in double figures. UNICS’s coach used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Serbian Dusan Beslac (205-1998) responded with 18 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) and American guard Bryant Crawford (191-1997, college: Wake Forest) scored 11 points and 5 assists. UNICS maintains fourth position with 13-5 record. Loser Avtodor dropped to the eighth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Samara. UNICS will meet at home N.Novgorod (#5) in the next round. Avtodor will play against Samara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
UNICS: A.Komolov 14+3reb+1ast, T.Taylor 12+3reb+5ast, I.Bako 10+12reb+1ast, S.Toropov 10+4reb+1ast, M.Knight 9+7reb+1ast, D.Kulagin 9+1reb+4ast
Avtodor: D.Beslac 18+6reb, D.Khaldeev 14+4reb, B.Crawford 11+3reb+5ast, V.Pranauskis 7+2reb, C.Agada 6+4reb+5ast, A.Fedorov 5

gschID: 1183748

CSKA – Enisey 100-78

gschID: 1183749

Zenit – Astana 96-59

There was no surprise in Saint Petersburg where bottom-ranked Kazakhstan Astana (0-19) was crushed by second ranked Russian Zenit (16-2) 96-59 on Wednesday. Zenit forced 22 Astana turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Astana‘s players. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Denis Zakharov (192-1993, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) who helped to win the game recording 17 points and Georgy Zhbanov (197-1997, agency: BIG) who added 13 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Zenit players scored in double figures. American forward Galin Smith (204-1998, college: Maryland) responded with 12 points and 6 rebounds and Russian forward Danila Pokhodiaev (204-2001, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) scored 12 points and 6 rebounds. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to get some rest. Zenit have an impressive 11-game winning streak. Defending Russian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with CSKA. Loser Astana still closes the standings. Zenit will meet Enisey (#10) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Astana will play against Uralmash and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Zenit: D.Zakharov 17+4reb+3ast, T.Frazier 14+3reb+4ast, O.Spellman 14+1reb, G.Zhbanov 13+7reb+2ast, E.Ryzhov 11+5reb, A.Poythress 7+7reb+1ast
Astana: D.Pokhodiaev 12+6reb, G.Smith 12+6reb, D.Utomi 10+6reb+1ast, M.Sarsengaliev 7+3reb+2ast, A.Orazbekov 6+1reb+3ast, V.Isaenko 6+3reb

gschID: 1183750

Parma-Pari – Lokomotiv 93-88

There was a surprise result in Perm where ninth ranked Parma-Pari (8-11) defeated higher ranked Lokomotiv (14-5) 93-88 on Wednesday. It was a great shooting night for Parma-Pari especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 68.8 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Alex Hamilton (193-1993, college: La Tech, agency: SLN) who helped to win the game recording 22 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists and center Royce Hamm Jr (206-1999, college: UNLV, agency: MSG) who added 18 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four Parma-Pari players scored in double figures. Guard Patrick Miller (185-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Slash Sports) responded with 20 points and 4 assists and guard Antonius Cleveland (196-1994, college: SEMO) scored 21 points. Lokomotiv’s coach tried various players’ combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Parma-Pari moved-up to seventh place. Loser Lokomotiv keeps the third position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Parma-Pari: A.Hamilton 22+6reb+7ast, R.Hamm Jr. 18+10reb+2ast, T.Yakushin 18+3reb+3ast, D.Cheburkin 10+6reb, S.Ruzhentsev 8+6ast, S.Ilnitskiy 8+5reb+2ast
Lokomotiv: A.Cleveland 21+1reb+2ast, P.Miller 20+3reb+4ast, B.Johnson 16+2ast, K.Elatontsev 9+3reb, K.Anderson 8+2reb, A.Kvitkovskikh 8+4reb+2ast