By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Before we take a look at this week’s action, let’s check out the final playoffs pairings now that the regular season is over:
CSKA Moscow vs. VEF
Unics Kazan vs. Nizhny Novgorod
Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Avtodor Saratov
Lokomotiv Kuban vs. Khimki Moscow
MVP:
Kyle Kuric, Zenit
Zenit ended Tsmoki-Minsk’s playoffs dream with a home victory in which Kuric shone brightly. The 28-year old finished with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds, adding up to 25 points of index rating. With this win, Zenit sealed its postseason fate, that brings them to face Avtodor in the next round.
Nizhny’s overtime win shocks Lokomotiv
The regular season couldn’t end in a most thrilling way for the Novgorod side, that got the victory in overtime against this season’s EuroCup runner-ups. Artem Komolov led his team with 17 points, as well as with a clutch three-pointer with 40 seconds in the extra five-minute period. Now Nizhny will have to face one of the most successful teams of the league for this season, Unics. Lokomotiv, on the other hand, will play against tough Khimki.
CSKA seals top spot in style
The Army Team demolished Parma on the road with a broad 111-76 win. Ahead of the Belgrade Final Four, Semen Antonov and Nando De Colo stepped up for CSKA, sharing 18 and 17 points each. The Frenchman, along with Kyle Hines returned to action after several weeks.
In a game that didn’t have much interest, given the fact that Parma was already eliminated from the previous round, Sergio Rodriguez and Nikita Kurbanov lighted things up. Enjoy:
Khimki hungry for the playoffs
Following some recent comments made by Lokomotiv’s president on Khimki’s lack of desire to win their game, the Moscow side survived Enisey on the road with a narrow win and will face the Krasnodar side in the postseason! Despite lacking Anthony Gill, Alexey Shved, Stefan Markovic and Thomas Robinson, Andrey Zubkov stepped up in time for the visitors, tapping 27 points.
Astana left with a bitter taste
Avtodor emerged to the playoffs with a win that kept Astana out of the next round. Led by Coty Clarke’s 30-point performance, the visiting team now will have to get ready for the battle vs. Zenit. Interestingly, the Saratov side has won both meetings against the fellow Russian team during the regular season.
Photo credit: VTB League