We'll see you in a month

Nymburk (Czech Republic) picked up a win at home, 89-79, over Spartk in Week 18 of the regular season of the VTB United League championship. The momentum belonged to the home team early, as they scored the game’s first eight points and held the 23-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The advantage grew to 18 points by halftime and though Spartak outscored Nymburk by eight points in the second half it wasn’t nearly enough to avoid defeat. Nymburk finishes the season with a 5-13 record, while Spartak checks in at 7-11.

Intro
The game had no bearing on the Group A standings, with Spartak already safely in the postseason and Nymburk slated to finish 9th. But it did present an opportunity for the home team to give its fans something to cheer about in the final game of the regular season, and a chance for Spartak to prepare for the playoffs.

Nymburk didn't waste any time early. A few effective possessions and Spartak mistakes put the Czechs in front 8-0. Once Simmons, Page and Rancik got going from long range, it became abundantly clear that the home team had high hopes for the night. Nymburk 23, Spartak 14 after the first quarter.

The tempo picked up in the second quarter, with both teams increasing their offensive output, often on the fast break. Simmons' ability to get to the basket and Mahalbasic's play down low, as well as Houska's outside shooting gave Nymburk a 55-37 advantage entering the locker room.

Spartak made some adjustments during the break and did all it could to get back in the contest. Jared Homan began to play like a leader, Yakovenko got the ball in the paint and Steven Burtt found more space on offense. The visitors didn't get as close as they would have liked, but did cut the deficit to 12 points, 72-60, at the end of the third.

Turning Point
Nymburk decided to save its fans' nerves in the final game of the season, surging to a 21-point lead in the first few minutes of the fourth. They then slowed the pace a little in the final seven minutes, holding on comfortably for a 89-79 win. Nymburk takes revenge for its loss to Spartak earlier this season and finishes the season with five wins. St. Petersburg, meanwhile, begins to prepare for the postseason for real, where it will meet Triumph in the first round.

Star of the Game
Chester Simmons. The American guard was effective leading the home team's offense, scoring 20 points (57% from the field) and also recorded five assists. This was one of Simmons' best games of the season.

Stat of the Game
0 - Spartak never led in the game.

Top Performers
Nymburk: Chester Simmons – 20 points, five assists, four steals; Radoslav Rancik – 13 points; Vojtech Hruban – 12 points, five rebounds; Rasid Mahalbasic – 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals.

Spartak: Steven Burtt – 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists; Donald McGrath – 19 points, five rebounds; Artem Yakovenko – 10 points; Andrey Koscheev – seven points, five rebounds, four assists.