This is still too early stage of the Regular Season in VTB United League and we should expect many changes in upcoming rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of N.Novgorod (3-1) in Nizhny Novgorod on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Uralmash (2-1) 89-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of N.Novgorod. Uralmash looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Tyrell Nelson (205-1995, college: Gardner-Webb) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). The other American import forward Javonte Douglas (203-1992, college: Montevallo) contributed with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Montenegrin Nemanja Djurisic (202-1992, college: Georgia, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 19 points and 5 rebounds for N.Novgorod. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Uralmash moved-up to fifth place. N.Novgorod at the other side keeps the fourth position with one game lost. Uralmash are looking forward to face UNICS (#6) in Kazan in the next round. N.Novgorod will play at home against the league’s leader CSKA and is hoping to win this game.
Another interesting game for UNICS (2-2) which played in Krasnoyarsk against Enisey (1-3). Seventh ranked UNICS had an easy win 72-57. Worth to mention a great performance of Turkish point guard Tony Taylor (184-1990, college: GWU) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Jalen Reynolds who added 10 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Timofey Gerasimov (197-1997, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) responded with 13 points. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. UNICS moved-up to sixth place. Enisey at the other side keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Avtodor and Parma-Pari. UNICS will play against higher ranked Uralmash (#5) in Yekaterinburg in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Enisey will play on the road against Samara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Saratov between Lokomotiv and Avtodor. Top-ranked Lokomotiv (4-0) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Avtodor (1-3). Lokomotiv managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 on Wednesday evening. The winners were led by BJ Johnson who scored that evening 17 points and 5 rebounds. Even 22 points and 6 rebounds by Jamal Jones did not help to save the game for Avtodor. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Lokomotiv have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with CSKA and Zenit. Avtodor lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Enisey and Parma-Pari. Lokomotiv will meet Zenit (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Avtodor will play against Astana (#12) in Nur-Sultan and hope to win that game.
Other games in round 4 were not that significant. CSKA smashed Astana on the road 93-48. MBA Moscow lost to Samara on its own court 79-86. Parma-Pari lost to Zenit in Saint Petersburg 56-100.
The most impressive performance of 4th round was 19 points and 5 rebounds by Omari Spellman of Zenit.
N.Novgorod – Uralmash 75-89
The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of N.Novgorod (3-1) in Nizhny Novgorod on Wednesday night. Hosts were defeated by sixth ranked Uralmash (2-1) 89-75. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of N.Novgorod. Uralmash looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Tyrell Nelson (205-1995, college: Gardner-Webb) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field). The other American import forward Javonte Douglas (203-1992, college: Montevallo) contributed with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Montenegrin Nemanja Djurisic (202-1992, college: Georgia, agency: Slash Sports) replied with 19 points and 5 rebounds and American guard Zach Nutall (190-1999, college: SMU) added 19 points in the effort for N.Novgorod. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Uralmash moved-up to fifth place. N.Novgorod at the other side keeps the fourth position with one game lost. Uralmash are looking forward to face UNICS (#6) in Kazan in the next round. N.Novgorod will play at home against the league’s leader CSKA and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Uralmash: T.Nelson 22+8reb+3ast, J.Martin 20+3reb+6ast, J.Douglas 18+8reb+4ast, S.Whittaker 12+4reb+4ast, A.Glazunov 8+2ast, Y.Beliankou 7+5reb+1ast
N.Novgorod: Z.Nutall 19+2reb+1ast, N.Djurisic 19+5reb+2ast, D.Khvostov 10+3reb+6ast, A.Dawkins 10+3reb+1ast, J.Gant 5+1reb, A.Chadov 5+4reb+1ast
gschID: 1183659
Avtodor – Lokomotiv 84-87
A very close game took place in Saratov between Lokomotiv and Avtodor. Top-ranked Lokomotiv (4-0) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Avtodor (1-3). Lokomotiv managed to escape with a 3-point win 87-84 on Wednesday evening. Lokomotiv made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Lokomotiv made 7 blocks. The winners were led by American swingman BJ Johnson (201-1995, college: La Salle) who scored that evening 17 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import guard Patrick Miller (185-1992, college: Tennessee St., agency: Slash Sports) supported him with 15 points and 7 assists. Even 22 points and 6 rebounds by American Jamal Jones (203-1993, college: Texas A&M, agency: Slash Sports) did not help to save the game for Avtodor. Nigerian-Canadian Caleb Agada (196-1994, college: Ottawa, agency: Pensack Sports) added 16 points, 8 assists and 5 steals for lost side. Five Lokomotiv and four Avtodor players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Lokomotiv have a solid four-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with CSKA and Zenit. Avtodor lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Enisey and Parma-Pari. Lokomotiv will meet Zenit (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Avtodor will play against Astana (#12) in Nur-Sultan and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Lokomotiv: B.Johnson 17+5reb+2ast, P.Miller 15+7ast, I.Whaley 12+8reb, K.Anderson 10+6reb, A.Martyuk 10+5reb, V.Ishchenko 6+1reb+2ast
Avtodor: J.Jones 22+6reb, C.Agada 16+4reb+8ast, B.Crawford 16+1ast, D.Khaldeev 10+6reb, A.Petenev 8+4reb+1ast, E.Sychkov 6+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1183660
Astana – CSKA 48-93
No shocking result in a game when top-ranked Russian CSKA (4-0) crushed bottom-ranked Kazakhstan Astana (0-4) in Nur-Sultan 93-48 on Wednesday. CSKA dominated down low during the game scoring 38 of its points in the paint compared to Astana‘s 6. They outrebounded Astana 45-26 including a 35-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. CSKA looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The winners were led by American point guard Casper Ware (178-1990, college: LBSU) who scored that evening 16 points and 5 rebounds and Guyanese-French Livio Jean-Charles (205-1993) supported him with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Four CSKA players scored in double figures. Even 15 points by American-Nigerian guard Daniel Utomi (198-1997, college: USC) did not help to save the game for Astana. American forward James Murray-Boyles (200-1997, college: UNCP, agency: Players Group) added 8 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. CSKA have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Lokomotiv and Zenit. Loser Astana still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with MBA Moscow. CSKA will meet N.Novgorod (#4) in the next round. Astana will play against Avtodor (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
CSKA: C.Ware 16+5reb+3ast, A.M’Baye 16+1reb, L.Jean-Charles 13+6reb+1ast, T.Jekiri 10+6reb+1ast, V.Karpenko 8+4reb+2ast, A.Astapkovich 8+5reb+2ast
Astana: D.Utomi 15+4reb+1ast, R.Murzagaliyev 9+4ast, J.Murray-Boyles 8+4reb+3ast, G.Motovilov 7+2ast, R.Aitkali 3, V.Isaenko 3
gschID: 1183661
MBA Moscow – Samara 79-86
The game between closely ranked teams ended with bottom-ranked MBA Moscow‘s (0-4) home loss to tenth ranked Samara (1-2) 79-86 on Wednesday. The winners were led by American Ronnie Harrell Jr (201-1996, college: Denver) who scored that evening 16 points and 4 assists and center Ilia Popov (210-1995, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) supported him with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Four Samara players scored in double figures. Even 25 points and 5 rebounds (made all of his eleven free throws !!!) by Andrey Zubkov (206-1991) did not help to save the game for MBA Moscow. Forward Danil Pevnev (203-2000) added 17 points and 5 rebounds for lost side. MBA Moscow’s coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn’t help. Samara left bottom position moving up to seventh place. It was MBA Moscow‘s fourth loss in a row. They still close the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Astana. Samara will meet at home Enisey (#9) in the next round. MBA Moscow will play against Parma-Pari in Perm and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Samara: A.Kardanakhishvili 16+2reb+5ast, I.Popov 16+6reb+1ast, R.Harrell Jr. 16+4reb+4ast, M.Kulagin 12+3reb+1ast, H.Dalton 10+6reb+3ast, B.Adams 9+3reb+4ast
MBA Moscow: A.Zubkov 25+5reb, D.Pevnev 17+5reb+2ast, M.Konovalov 10+1reb+7ast, G.Sheiko 9+2reb+1ast, I.Belousov 6+3reb+1ast, D.Kasatkin 5+3ast
gschID: 1183662
Enisey – UNICS 57-72
Another interesting game for UNICS (2-2) which played in Krasnoyarsk against Enisey (1-3). Seventh ranked UNICS had an easy win 72-57. UNICS made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. UNICS outrebounded Enisey 36-24 including a 28-17 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of Turkish point guard Tony Taylor (184-1990, college: GWU) who helped to win the game recording 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and American center Jalen Reynolds (208-1992, college: Xavier) who added 10 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Timofey Gerasimov (197-1997, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) responded with 13 points and Serbian Aleksa Stepanovic (206-1998) scored 9 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. UNICS moved-up to sixth place. Enisey at the other side keeps the eighth position with three games lost. They share it with Avtodor and Parma-Pari. UNICS will play against higher ranked Uralmash (#5) in Yekaterinburg in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Enisey will play on the road against Samara and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
UNICS: T.Taylor 23+5reb+5ast, I.Bako 12+4reb, J.Reynolds 10+7reb+1ast, M.Knight 7+3reb+2ast, D.Kulagin 7+3reb+5ast, L.Labeyrie 5+5reb+1ast
Enisey: T.Gerasimov 13+3reb+2ast, V.Sanders 9+4reb+2ast, A.Stepanovic 9+6reb+1ast, V.Perevalov 7+1reb, S.Dolinin 5+5reb, R.Zagretdinov 5+3reb
gschID: 1183663
Zenit – Parma-Pari 100-56
Rather predictable result when top-ranked Zenit (4-0) rolled over 7th ranked Parma-Pari (1-3) in Saint Petersburg 100-56 on Thursday. Zenit outrebounded Parma-Pari 40-25 including a 32-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Zenit looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The winners were led by American-Lebanese Omari Spellman (206-1997, college: Villanova) who scored that evening 19 points and 5 rebounds and American Dwayne Bacon (201-1995, college: FSU) supported him with 16 points. Even a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds by American center Royce Hamm Jr (206-1999, college: UNLV, agency: MSG) did not help to save the game for Parma-Pari. His fellow American import guard Garrett Nevels (188-1992, college: Hawaii, agency: Slash Sports) added 11 points for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Zenit have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Russian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with CSKA and Lokomotiv. Loser Parma-Pari dropped to the eighth place with three games lost. They share the position with Avtodor and Enisey. Zenit will meet at home league’s second-placed Lokomotiv in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Parma-Pari will play against MBA Moscow (#11) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Zenit: O.Spellman 19+5reb+1ast, D.Bacon 16+3reb+3ast, S.Karasev 12+2reb, A.Poythress 10+3reb+2ast, D.Zakharov 10+1ast, V.Hunter 8+8reb+3ast
Parma-Pari: R.Hamm Jr. 14+10reb+2ast, G.Nevels 11+2reb+3ast, A.Hamilton 10+4reb+2ast, A.Zakharov 9+3reb+2ast, S.Ilnitskiy 4+3reb+1ast, T.Yakushin 2+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1183664
