VTB United League: Unics and Lokomotiv win
With CSKA Moscow and Khimki Moscow Region clashing on Monday, Sunday saw both second and fourth in the VTB United League keep pace with CSKA in fine fashion. Unics Kazan took apart BC Astana at home to keep hold of second place, while Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar had far too much for Avtodor Saratov at home to take control of fourth place.
We’ll start in Krasnodar
Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar vs. Avtodor Saratov, 91-77
Lokomotiv took possession of fourth place in the VTB United League with a slick home performance against always dangerous Avtodor Saratov. The hosts led 61-59 through thirty minutes as the game had been tight until that point, the lead changing 15 times and the scoreboard tying 8 times. However, Lokomotiv moved through the gears in the third quarter, putting together a 30-18 run that brought with it victory.
Anthony Randolph set the scoring rhythm for Lokomotiv with 18 points, followed by Chris Singleton with 16 points from the bench. Ryan Broekhoff stood out with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win, while Dontaye Draper logged 13 points.
Travis Peterson doubled up for Avtodor, matching Randolph’s 18 points while grabbing 10 boards. Reggie Williams netted 17 points, followed by Paul Stoll with 15 points in the losing effort.
Unics Kazan vs. BC Astana, 100-73
Unics plundered a century of points on the way to schooling BC Astana in the VTB United League on Sunday for an eleventh consecutive victory. The victory kept the Kazan club in second place, hot on the heels of CSKA Moscow with a 16-2 record with a game in hand. The hosts were too strong from the opening tip off and led 31-15 through ten minutes, before scoring 54 points in the first half for a 54-31 midway lead. That massive advantage was enough to led Unics cruise in the second half, the home team winning without ever trailing in the game.
Anton Ponkrashov had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for Unics Kazan, while Joaquim Colom went close to his own double with 15 points and 9 scoring passes. Artsiom Parakhouski added 13 points in the win, followed by Artura Milaknis and Valery Likhodey logged 12 points apiece.
Kenneth Hayes topped the scoring with 19 points that stopped an even more embarrassing result for Astana, while Jerry Johnson added 14 points and 7 assists.
Khimki Moscow Region vs. CSKA Moscow Preview
Khimki will play host to the Army Men of CSKA Moscow on Monday as the two finalists from last season square off in the VTB United League again. The game of the week contest provides CSKA with a chance to enhance its dominant position at the top of the standings, the current five time consecutive champs are cruising with an 18-1 record. Khimki is doing well in third place with a 14-3 record, and has form with providing a tricky test to CSKA.