By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite the absence of Sergio Rodriguez, the offensive engine of CSKA Moscow was highly potent against VEF Riga, helping the “Army Men” grab 102 – 83 victory on the road.
No less than six players CSKA players scored in double figures. Nikita Kurbanov had 18 points (plus 6 rebounds), Cory Higgins 17 while Nando De Colo notched 14 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.
Paul Carter finished with 18 points plus 5 rebounds and PJ Brown added 15 points for the Latvian side that was up 47 -46 at halftime but couldn’t retain a lead after the break.
CSKA returned from the locker room rather angry and assumed control with a 0 – 10 run. They completed the third quarter with a 20 – 30 partial score and then kept a fast-paced rhythm for the remainder of the match.
The surprise of the week took place in Kazakhstan, where the Astana defeated EuroLeague club Khimki Moscow (that played without Alexey Shved). The Russian team dropped sixth after this result.
Standings leader Unics Kazan, along with second Zenit St. Petersburg and fourth Lokomotiv Kuban didn’t have any games during the weekend due to their obligations in the EuroCup Quarterfinals.
VTB League Results:
BK ASTANA |
KHIMKI MOSCOW |
84-79 |
84-79 |
46-38 |
29-16 |
17-22 |
26-16 |
12-25 |
0-0 |
PARMA BASKET PERM |
BC TSMOKI MINSK |
81-88 |
81-88 |
44-56 |
20-23 |
24-33 |
15-13 |
22-19 |
0-0 |
VEF RIGA |
CSKA MOSCOW |
83-102 |
83-102 |
47-46 |
24-24 |
23-22 |
21-30 |
15-26 |
0-0 |
VTB League Standings:
#
|
TEAM
|
PTS
|
MP
|
W
|
L
|
POINTS
|
+/-
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
UNICS KAZAN
|
29
|
15
|
14
|
1
|
1290 – 1090
|
200
|
|
2
|
CSKA MOSCOW
|
34
|
18
|
16
|
2
|
1660 – 1413
|
247
|
|
3
|
ZENIT SAINT PETERSBURG
|
28
|
16
|
12
|
4
|
1367 – 1342
|
25
|
|
4
|
LOKOMOTIV KUBAN
|
28
|
16
|
12
|
4
|
1348 – 1145
|
203
|
|
5
|
AVTODOR
|
23
|
15
|
8
|
7
|
1280 – 1339
|
-59
|
|
6
|
KHIMKI MOSCOW
|
26
|
17
|
9
|
8
|
1426 – 1330
|
96
|
|
7
|
BK ASTANA
|
22
|
16
|
6
|
10
|
1197 – 1237
|
-40
|
|
8
|
PARMA BASKET PERM
|
20
|
15
|
5
|
10
|
1222 – 1296
|
-74
|
|
9
|
BC TSMOKI MINSK
|
21
|
16
|
5
|
11
|
1148 – 1303
|
-155
|
|
10
|
VEF RIGA
|
22
|
17
|
5
|
12
|
1292 – 1413
|
-121
|
|
11
|
NIZHNIY NOVGOROD
|
18
|
14
|
4
|
10
|
1179 – 1226
|
-47
|
|
12
|
BC KALEV/CRAMO
|
21
|
17
|
4
|
13
|
1406 – 1546
|
-140
|
|
13
|
ENISEY
|
17
|
14
|
3
|
11
|
1078 – 1213
|
-135
|