By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow and Nizhny Novgord returned to form after the mid-week defeats for Euroleague and Eurocup respectively, Lokomotiv Kuban stayed focused to the max, while two playoff spots were grabbed by Avtodor Saratov and Nymburk.
By using its offensive efficiency to great extent CSKA Moscow (26-2) overpowered a resistant VEF Riga (9-17). Although the hosts scored abundantly and with a more than adequate accuracy (61% two-pointers, 42% three-point shots) their opponents never let them escape with a large margin, thanks to the 20 (!) offensive rebounds they gathered, which allowed them to stay in pursuit. Still, CSKA was way too superior to get in any serious danger.
In Krasnodar, the way Lokomotiv Kuban (19-6) performed was optimal enough to give them a 30-point lead over Krasny Oktyabr (10-16) by the end of the third quarter and call it over relatively early. Coach Bartzokas used a heavy rotation in the last period while the guests didn’t simply lose the game but also their chances to enter the playoffs.
The one that absolutely rejoiced with Krasny’s defeat was Nymburk (15-11). Having getting the job done one day before in Finland against the Bisons, the Czech team has now checked the ticket to the playoffs, since it needed either one extra victory, or Krasny to lose by Loko.
Avtodor Saratov (15-8) gave a scoring clinic to pulverize Astana (6-21), sealing a spot in the post season, while Rasid Mahalbasic along with Dmitry Khvostov combined to help Nizhny Novgorod take Enisey (9-16) down.
VTB League 2015/2016 – 25/26 of March
Bisons Loimaa – Nymburk (Michael Dixon 19 p. 11 a.): 60 – 96
Avtodor Saratov (Paul Stoll 23 p. 14 a.) – Astana: 132 – 72
Lokomotiv Kuban (Anthony Randolph 18 p.) – Krasny Oktyabr: 81 – 63
Nizhny Novgorod (Rasid Mahalbasic 21 p. 7 r. 6 a.) – Enisey: 93 – 75
CSKA Moscow (Nando De Colo 25 p. 6 a.) – VEF Riga: 101 – 93