CSKA Moscow sweeps Nymburk in VTB quarterfinal

CSKA Moscow continued to march to another VTB United League title with an impressive series sweep over CEZ Nymburk in the quarterfinal. Of course, there is a lot of Basketball left to be played, and tougher outfits than Nymburk to be navigated, but CSKA is looking formidable on the road to a title defence.

There is also plenty of history behind the Army Men, the club is chasing its fifth consecutive VTB League title and eighth overall (out of nine seasons). The record books show that this is a competition CSKA Moscow is likely to win, and the team is showing on the court that it is capable of taking apart rivals in devastating fashion.

Admittedly, Nymburk was arguably there for the taking, the Czech champions started the Regular Season on fire, but has faded in 2016 and scraped into the Playoffs in 8th place. Nevertheless, CSKA still impressed in outgunning Nymburk and the Moscow giant seemed to improve through the series.

VTB League Quarterfinal Game 3: CEZ Nymburk vs. CSKA Moscow, 87-102

CSKA got the job done on the road in Game 3 to ensure a cruising series win over the perennial Czech title winners. The Russian roster chipped in, with the bench coming up with 54 points to keep the Moscow giant ticking, and once the visitors took control, it was for good. CSKA led by as much as 27 points and they worked the post and scored 40 points in the paint.

A high scoring first quarter showed that CSKA Moscow simply had an extra gear that Nymburk good not get to. The hosts were solid for 22 points, but the Army Men poured in 30 points for an 8 point lead through ten minutes on the hardwood. The guests took control for good in an impressive second frame that saw the Russians drain 27 points and stop Nymburk at 16 points. At the halftime buzzer the scoreboard read 38-57 … game over.

And so it proved as the teams emerged after the long break, although the Czech team showed some fight with a 24-21 third act that made it 62-79 after thirty minutes. That third quarter ensured it wouldn’t be a rout and with some momentum the hosts were able to make it a respectable final score with a 25-24 fourth quarter.

Pavel Korobkov worked from the bench and topped CSKA with 24 points, while Andrey Vorontsevich and Cory Higgins produced 12 points each, with Vorontsevich adding 8 rebounds. Nando De Colo and Nikita Kurbanov split 22 points with 11 apiece.

Chasson Randle paced Nymburk with 20 points, followed by Michael Dixon with 19 points and Vojtech Hruban with 13 points.