Spartak St. Petersburg defeated Nizhny Novgorod on the road, 83-69, in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. After an even first half, the home team seized a nine-point lead in the third quarter. But a furious Spartak rally to start the final period forced a complete turnaround, as the visitors won the period, 33-10, and the game. Game 2 will be played in St. Petersburg on May 4.
Intro
Game 1 began as expected. Neither team wanted to rush matters and tested each other out in the early going. Spartak was led by Darius Johnson-Odom, who scored eight of his team’s first 10 points. Nizhny’s Semen Antonov and Semen Shashkov had success in the paint. Both teams worked from a half-court offense and relied increasingly on perimeter shooting, which decisively favored Spartak. Nizhny went 0-8 from distance in the first quarter, while the visitors converted 3 of 7. Coupled with an advantage on the glass, Spartak had the lead after one quarter, 19-15.
Careful, patient, defense-minded basketball set the tone in the second quarter as well. Both teams tried to get the ball in the paint, particularly Nizhny Novgorod, who finished the half 1-14 from beyond the arc. Spartak still led at the break, 37-35, but the close score reflected the play on the court. Both teams had an excellent chance to win.
The third quarter belonged to the Black-Whites, much to the delight of the home crowd. The home team finally gave up on its perimeter shooting and determined to work through the paint, where they were led by their captain, Semen Antonov. Shashkov, Vadim Panov and Ivan Savelyev also helped out. Spartak tried to continue what had worked for them in the first half, but Nizhny’s defense, motivated by the crowd, kept the visitors at bay, alternating between zone and man-to-man. Nizhny had a nine-point advantage with 10 minutes to play, 59-50.
The first two and a half minutes of the fourth quarter undid all of their hard work. Spartak tied the game at 59-59, with a 9-0 run sparked by two 3-pointers from Janis Strelnieks.
Turning Point
After that blow, the home team lost its rhythm. Spartak continued to surge, picking up several easy buckets around the basket, including two Joshua Carter dunks. Even the irrepressible Zoran Lukic appeared at a loss. Artem Yakovenko’s efforts to reignite his team’s offense and encourage his teammates went nowhere. St. Petersburg could not be stopped – Vasily Zavoruev and Fedor Dmitriev’s 3-pointers killed any suspense left in the game.
The Black-Whites’ unexpected collapse in the final quarter ended in a 14-point home defeat, 83-69. Nonetheless, Zoran Lukic’s team, which played even with Spartak for most of the encounter, shouldn’t be counted out yet. The competition will be fierce in St. Petersburg.
Star of the Game
Janis Strelnieks. The second half began well for Nizhny Novgorod and it’s difficult to say how it may have ended if not for the 23-year-old Latvian guard’s heroics in the fourth quarter. He drew a flagrant foul, stole the ball and drained two 3-pointers to shift the momentum in the game. Much like a boxing match, where one hit can change the dynamic of the bout, Strelniek’s knockdown punch to start the fourth quarter led to a Spartak knockout.
Stat of the Game
68-19. Spartak’s bench put up a staggering 68 points, while Nizhny Novgorod’s contributed just 19.
Quotes
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
- For 30 minutes, the team controlled the game, but then my players made several unforgivable mistakes, which affected the outcome of the encounter. We tried to change something with our substitutions, but it didn't help to stop our collapse. It was also significant that our internationals didn't play their best. Having lost the first game at home, we're in a difficult situation, but we still have a chance. At the least, the team will head to St. Petersburg to put up a fight. At this point, Nizhny Novgorod has nothing to lose.
Spartan interim head coach Yevgeniy Kisurin:
- We did not start the game well. For three quarter, every player on the court was thinking - what do I do next. The team prepared and understood the nuances of the opponent, but, in the end, little worked out. That's why I told the team before the fourth quarter that they should forget the plays we had learned and just play like they know how to. As a result, the guys loosened up and played the way we demand them to.
Top Performers
Nizhny Novgorod: Semen Antonov – 17 points; Semen Shashkov – 10 points; Vadim Panin – 11 points.
Spartak: Loukas Mavrokefalidis – 19 points, six rebounds; Janis Strelnieks – 12 points; Fedor Dmitriev – 11 points, five rebounds; Joshua Carter – 10 points, eight rebounds.
Another news
8.09.2017
Nizhny Novgorod landed Sean Denison
BC Nizhny Novgorod signed a one-year deal with Canadian bigman Sean Denison (211 cm, 111 kg, 32 y.o.). Last season he spent in Romanian CSM Oradea, participating in the national championship and Basketball Champions League. From 2011 till 2013 he played in Russian clubs Spartak-Primorye and Ataman.
Nizhny Novgorod terminated the contract with American forward Erik McCree who’d joined the team this august. The decision was made by mutual agreement. At the moment Nizhny is in search of a new player for the vacant place.
10.08.2017
BC Nizhny Novgorod signed Erik McCree
BC NN signed a two-year contract with American forward Erik McCree (23 y.o., 203 cm, 102 kg). From 2013 to 2017 he was playing for Louisiana Tech in NCAA. Last season he showed his best statistics averaging 17,7 points, 8,9 rebounds, 1,3 assists in 33 games.
9.08.2017
Sterling Gibbs joins BC Nizhny Novgorod
BC NN signed a two-year deal with American point guard Sterling Gibbs (188cm, 84kg, 24 y.o). In his college years he played for Seton Hall Pirates and Connecticut Huskies in NCAA. In 2016-2017 spent his first season overseas as he joined Hungarian team Kormend. He helped the team to semifinals in Hungarian Cup and Hungarian League averaging 14,4 points, 2,1 rebounds, 3,3 assists in 27 games.
