By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow defeated Parma Perm, 82-60, on Monday.
Kenneth Faried making his first appearance for the Russian powerhouse and in Europe marked the VTB United League match. The former NBA player was limited to three rebounds and one steal while missing his only shot and forced to a couple of turnovers in 11:06.
Faried, 31, landed in Moscow on Saturday and practiced with his new teammates for the first time on Sunday. With a comfortable lead established at Perm, Greek boss Dimitris Itoudis looked to get the newcomer acclimated ahead of tougher upcoming challenges.
With Nikola Milutinov (knee) still on the sidelines and Tornike Shengelia (shoulder) recently added to the injury list, CSKA will need all the help it can get. Marius Grigonis (back) also remained out. Plenty of absences, but the team based in Moscow jumped to 4-0 in the VTB in convincing fashion. The W was the fourth in a row in all competitions the past couple of weeks.
Danish Gabriel Lundberg produced a game-high 16 points. Daniel Hackett banked in 14 points, while Joel Bolomboy and Will Clyburn threw in ten more points each. Nikita Kurbanov finished with eight points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Coming up, three consecutive Turkish Airlines EuroLeague contests. CSKA, currently sitting at 3-1, will host Olympiacos on Friday, and from there move to France for the second two-game week of the 2021-22 season, at LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne and at AS Monaco next Wednesday and Friday, respectively.
Parma fell to 1-1 in the VTB. Latvian forward Mareks Mejeris registered a team-high ten points. Experienced Belarusian center Artsiom Parakhouski logged nine points and pulled down nine rebounds.
Photo Credit: CSKA Twitter