By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Both Russian powerhouses won in their last games of the regular season in the VTB League, which is concluded in the following week.
A 12 – 0 run in the third quarter led CSKA Moscow (28-2) to victory over Avtodor Saratov (20-10). Dimitris Itoudis decided to rest some of his soldiers, while opening the rotation and giving lots of time to players like Mikhail Kulagin. The 21-year old Russian turned out to be the best performer for his team and also received the much deserved praise by his coach after the game. CSKA had already clinched first place in the standings, while Avtodor will enter the playoffs as sixth.
With contribution by many players and a great fourth period, Khimki Moscow (22-8) edged Enisey (11-19) on the road, and did its job in its last game of the regular season. Although they have locked fourth place in the standings, they could finish as third, if Lokomotiv Kuban (21-7) and Zenit (21-7) lose some ground in their upcoming games.
VTB League 2015 – 23th of April
CSKA Moscow (Mikhail Kulagin 21 p.) – Avtodor Sartov: 101 – 90
Krasny Oktyabr (Ekene Ibekwe 21 p. 14 r.) – Astana: 106 – 85
Enisey – Khimki Moscow (Petteri Koponen 18 p.) : 85 – 95
Nizhny Novogord (Dmitry Khvostov 21 p. 8 a.) – Nymburk: 91 – 76