VTB United League – Round 10: Lokomotiv hands first loss to CSKA

Kevin Jones The most surprising game was the first loss of CSKA (7-1) in Kuban on Sunday night. Visitors were defeated by fifth ranked Lokomotiv (6-2) 83-74. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of CSKA. The hosts trailed by 11 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 9 points. They outrebounded CSKA 40-29 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Lokomotiv looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Kevin Jones (206-89, college: W.Virginia) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 21 points and 15 rebounds. The other American import guard Mardy Collins (198-84, college: Temple) contributed with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Serbian point guard Milos Teodosic (195-87) replied with 7 points and 11 assists for CSKA. CSKA’s coach rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn’t help. Lokomotiv have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain fifth position with 6-2 record. Defending Russian champion CSKA still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with Unics. Lokomotiv are looking forward to face Astana (#6) on the road in the next round. CSKA will play against VEF Riga (#7) and is hoping to win this game. Bottom-ranked Russian Parma is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their eighth consecutive match to seventh ranked Latvian VEF Riga (4-4) 81-74. Janis Blums (191-82) scored 19 points and 7 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Ilja Gromovs chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Serbian swingman Danilo Andjusic (196-91, agency: Alti Sport) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds. Parma’s coach tested ten players, but that didn’t help to avoid defeat in this game. VEF Riga maintains seventh position with 4-4 record. Newly promoted Parma still closes the standings with eight games lost. VEF Riga will play against league’s leader CSKA in Moscow in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Parma will play on the road against Khimky (#3) and hopes to get finally their first victory.The game between fourth ranked Khimky (6-1) and 11th ranked Avtodor (1-7) in Khimky on Saturday ended with biggest points difference. Khimky outscored guests from Saratov 102-70. Vyacheslav Zaytsev notched a double-double by scoring 13 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the effort. Even 22 points and 5 rebounds by Nick Minnerath did not help to save the game for Avtodor. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Khimky have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Zenit. Avtodor lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh position with seven games lost. They share it with N.Novgorod. Khimky will meet at home bottom-ranked Parma (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Avtodor will play against Kalev/Cramo and it may be a tough game between close rivals. In the last two games of round 10 Kalev/Cramo was beaten by Enisey on the road 99-90. Astana won against Tsmoki-Minsk on its own court 84-67. The most impressive performance of 10th round was 30 points and 6 rebounds by Suleiman Braimoh of Enisey.Enisey – Kalev/Cramo 99-90The game between closely ranked teams ended with ninth ranked Russian Enisey’s (4-5) home victory over 10th ranked Estonian Kalev/Cramo (2-6) in Krasnoyarsk 99-90 on Sunday. The hosts trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 3-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 99-90. Enisey made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. Nigerian-American power forward Suleiman Braimoh (203-89, college: Rice) notched 30 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and Vladislav Trushkin (201-93, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) supported him with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Even a double-double of 26 points and 11 assists by American guard Demonte Harper (193-89, college: Morehead St.) did …

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