We didn't deserve victory

In a rescheduled Week 7 regular-season contest of VTB United league championships, Astana (Kazakhstan) defeated Spartak (Russia) in St. Petersburg, 78-75. The competition was fierce for forty minutes with the outcome uncertain up until the final buzzer. Jerry Johnson knocked down a 3-pointer as time expired to give Astana the win and nearly guarantee a playoff spot.

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Intro
Though originally scheduled to take place in Astana, the decision to move the game to St. Petersburg gave Spartak an extra advantage. Nonetheless, the Kazakh players, nominal hosts, didn’t plan to roll over. A win in the northern capital would not only solidify their place in the group standings, but also give them a chance to join Group A’s top four.

Both teams came out firing. Despite poor team three-point field percentages, Spartak and Astana let loose from the perimeter. Two makes from Janis Strelnieks, along with solid defense, helped the home team separate by five points. Jerry Johnson’s free throws, however, and David Simon’s dominance under the basket allowed Astana to catch up and end the first quarter in a tie, 17-17.

In the second quarter, Spartak was led by Loukas Mavrokefalidis, who did it all on his own for seven minutes. Jurij Zdovc didn’t approve, calling timeout, and his team responded, ending the half on a 9-0 run, good for a 35-31 lead at the break.

Astana looked completely different in the second half. David Simon began to play more actively in the paint, while Ponomarev and Cvetcovic exploited Spartak’s defensive breakdowns from beyond the arc. Nothing could help the home team regain their lead, neither timeouts nor aggressive defense. The Kazakh players buried the Russians in 3-pointers and headed to the fourth quarter on top, 59-51.

Turning Point
Spartak are used to tight games. Zack Wright took over as leader and by the middle of the final quarter cut the deficit to one possession. With a minute and a half to play, the St. Petersburg club found a chink in the Astana defense. Janis Strelnieks drained a wide-open ‘3’ to tie the game. All Spartak had to do was play defense and score again to secure victory. Jurij Zdovc’s squad managed the first task, grabbing two steals in the final minute. On offense, however, the Russians were less impressive. Mavrokefalidis committed an offensive foul, while Wright missed a mid-range jumper with four seconds to play.

Jerry Johnson’s moment had arrived! The youngster brought down the rebound, dribbled the length of the court in a few seconds, past the home team’s lauded defense and drilled the winning 3-pointer, 78-75 in favor of Astana! The Kazakh team has nearly guaranteed a playoff spot as a result. The only way they won’t reach the postseason is if they lose their last three and Donetsk win out.

Star of the Game
Jerry Johnson. 15 points, six rebounds and six assists is an excellent result. The winning shot was far more important, though. With four seconds left, the American grabbed a defensive rebound, dribbled downcourt and hitting a running 3-pointer. The ball hit the glass and the rim, before falling through. What an important win and beautiful shot!

Stat of the Game
10 – Astana’s players knocked down 10 3-pointers for the first time this season. Matteo Boniciolli’s team did so very efficiently, as well - 45% from the beyond the arc.

Top Performers
Astana: David Simon – 22 points, five rebounds; Jerry Johnson – 15 points, six rebounds, six assists; Branco Cvetcovic – 14 points; Anton Ponomarev – 13 points, six rebounds.

Spartak: Zack Wright – 20 points; Janis Strelnieks – 15 points; Loukas Mavrokefalidis – 12 points, eight rebounds; Joshua Carter – 11 points.