By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The most expected quarterfinals series in the VTB League playoffs began with an exciting game, in which Khimki Moscow defeated Lokomotiv Kuban 86 – 80, making the 1-0.
A, more or less, unstoppable Tyrese Rice lacerated Lokomotiv with his action, finishing the match with 31 points (4/7 two-pointers, 5-8 three-pointers, 8/8 free throws). Alexey Shved was also very potent scoring 26 points and 6 assists.
For Lokomotiv Kuban, Ryan Broekhoff finished the match with 21 points, but scored the 19 of them in the first half. It was thanks to his scoring, especially from long range, that the guests made a blasting entrance in the match, finishing the first quarter 18 – 28. But Khimki proceeded to make some stops and turned the tide of the game, gaining the lead at halftime, which ended 42 – 41.
With Shved and Rice scoring at will, the hosts increased their advantage in the third quarter, while coach Giorgos Bartzokas received two quick technical fouls from the referees and was ejected from the game. Although Lokomotiv lacked the services of Malcolm Delaney and Anthony Randolph, its players haven’t said their final word.
Matt Janning struck from afar thrice in the last period, making it 77 – 80, three minutes before the end of the match. But these were the last points Lokomotiv Kuban scored in the game. Khimki Moscow first regained the lead quickly and then made sure to not allow its opponents to reclaim it.