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BC Astana vs BC Lokomotiv Kuban. VTB Regular Season game, January 9 2021.
#bcastana #bcloko #vtbleague BC Astana vs BC Lokomotiv Kuban. VTB Regular Season game, January 9 2021. Astana down Loko to get first win in 2021 Astana downed Lokomotiv-Kuban at home – 86:82 (20:22, 20:21, 24:19, 22:20). Top scorers Astana: Martins Meiers (18 + 8 rebounds), Jeremiah Hill (15 + 6 assists), Ojars Silins (14 + 6 rebounds), Adonis Thomas (14 + 5 rebounds), Michael Thompson (12 + 8 assists). Lokomotiv-Kuban: Reggie Lynch (17 + 11 rebounds + 6 blocks), Mantas Kalnietis (15 + 6 assists), Jordan Crawford (15), Will Cummings (12), Stanislav Ilnitsky (9 + 10 rebounds) Story Neither team had its full roster for this game. And the guests suffered more. While Astana lacked only Devyn Marble as a leading player, Evgeny Pashutin couldn’t sub Alan Williams, Kevin Hervey, Grigory Motovilov and recently signed Nigel Williams-Goss. Plus, Will Cummings and Mindaugas Kuzminskas were in question. Nevertheless, the guests managed to gain momentum early. Shots by Andrey Martiuk and Mantas Kalnietis ensured the lead. They had only slump when Astana hit 3 from beyond the arc within a minute and even took the lead – 20:17. But with the skills of Will Cummings and Reggie Lynch, the Russians took the lead back – 22:20. The second quarter was intense with 4 points being the maximum lead. The guests triumphed again. Cummings sank the first three-pointer of the guests in the late second quarter. 43:40 after the first half for Loko. Key moment The big break didn’t change much. The teams were keeping close calling for timeouts after a couple of successful possessions. This game was meant to be decided in the clutch. Adonis Thomas’ shot was the key here. With Astana’s minimum lead, the forward hit a three with 34 seconds remaining. 84:80 for Astana. Kuban restored hope thanks to free throws by Jordan Crawford. But it was ruined when Ojars Silins scored after Michael Thompson missed. The Latvian set the final score – 86:82. Hero Martins Meiers was the hero of the game's final moments. The Latvian scored important baskets (9 points) and didn’t let Loko run away. As a result, Meiers is the top scorer (18 points) and has the most efficiency points (19) among the winners. Stat 6 points were the maximum lead of the game which is enough to describe it. It was when Loko was up in the first quarter – 17:11. Comment Astana head coach Emil Rajkovic: “I must say I’m satisfied to beat Loko. They are one of the best offensively this season. I think we were good in defense. 12 players gave their all energy and worked tight in defense. Very important win for us.” Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin: “It was a tough game. We controlled 2 quarters but were not hard enough defensively in the 3rd quarter. We gave room to Hill and Thompson. We need to improve our defense and fight for the win.”