VTB United League – Day 4: Astana defeats VEF Riga

RoderickOdom There were just four rounds played in Regular Season of VTB United League and we can clearly see which teams will fight for top positions and which will try to avoid bottom places. The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Latvia VEF Riga (1-1) on the court of seventh ranked Kazakhstan Astana on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Astana 66-64. The hosts trailed by 1 point after three quarters before their 19-16 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Astana made 25-of-33 free shots (75.8 percent) during the game. 28 personal fouls committed by VEF Riga helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Roderick Odom (206-91, college: Vanderbilt) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. American-Gambia forward Ousman Krubally (201-88, college: Georgia St.) contributed with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Astana’s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Janis Blums (191-82) replied with 13 points for VEF Riga. Astana (2-2) moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Enisey. VEF Riga at the other side dropped to the seventh position with one game lost. They share it with Khimky. Astana is looking forward to face Kalev/Cramo (#9) in Tallinn in the next round. VEF Riga will play on the road against the league’s second-placed Zenit in Saint Petersburg and is hoping to win this game. Khimky’s fans can celebrate the first win of their team. They used home court advantage to defeat Lokomotiv (0-2) 73-65. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Alexey Shved (198-88, agency: Alti Sport) who helped to win the game recording 21 points and Nobel Boungou-Colo who added 21 points and 4 steals during the contest. At the losing side American guard Mardy Collins (198-84, college: Temple) responded with a double-double by scoring 10 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Khimky (1-1) left bottom position moving up to seventh place, which they share with VEF Riga. Lokomotiv at the other side still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with Parma. Khimky will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Lokomotiv will play on the road against BC Nizhny Novgorod (#13) and hopes to get finally their first victory.Bottom-ranked BC Nizhny Novgorod is still unable to win any game. This time they lost on the road their third consecutive match to eighth ranked Enisey (2-2) 99-93 on Saturday evening. The winners were led by Suleiman Braimoh who scored that evening 16 points. Enisey’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Even 21 points and 8 rebounds by DeAndre Kane did not help to save the game for BC Nizhny Novgorod. Enisey moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Astana. Loser BC Nizhny Novgorod still closes the standings with three games lost. Enisey will meet Parma (#11) in the next round where they are favorite. BC Nizhny Novgorod will play against Lokomotiv and looks forward to get finally their first victory.The game in Minsk was also worth to mention about. 6th ranked Estonia Kalev/Cramo (1-2) played at the court of seventh ranked Belarusian Tsmoki-Minsk (2-1). Tsmoki-Minsk managed to secure a 7-point victory 88-81. Dru Joyce fired 27 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Tsmoki-Minsk’s coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Belarusian champion moved-up to fourth place. Defending Estonia champion Kalev/Cramo dropped to the ninth position with two games lost. Tsmoki-Minsk’s next round opponent will be league’s leader Unics Kazan on the road and it may be the game of the week. Kalev/Cramo will play against Astana (#5) and hope to win that game. In the last game of round 4 Zenit beat Avtodor on the road 96-90. The most impressive performance of 4th round was 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds by Sergey Karasev of Zenit.Tsmoki-Minsk – Kalev/Cramo 88-81The game in Minsk was also worth to mention about. 6th ranked Estonia Kalev/Cramo (1-2) played at the court of seventh ranked Belarusian Tsmoki-Minsk (2-1). Tsmoki-Minsk managed to secure a 7-point victory 88-81. Tsmoki-Minsk made 18-of-21 charity shots (85.7 percent) during the game. American point guard Dru Joyce (183-85, college: Akron) fired 27 points, 5 rebounds …

continue reading in source www.eurobasket.com