Game Of The Week: Nizhny Vs. Khimki

Nizhny Novgorod hosts Khimki in the Game of the Week.

Who:
Nizhny Novgorod, 2014-15 VTB United League semifinalists, 2014-15 Euroleague Top 16 participants
vs.
Khimki, 2014-15 VTB United League finalists, 2014-15 Eurocup champions

Where:
Nizhny Novgorod Trade Union Sports Palace (capacity 5,500), Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

When:
7:30 PM (7:30 PM MSK), November 2, 2015

TV:
VTB-League.com

Face to Face
Nizhny joined the top tier of Russian basketball in 2010 and, with the exception of the 2013-14 season, has only defeated Khimki once. Back in March of 2013, Zoran Lukic coached Nizhny to a shock win over Khimki in the Russian Superleague, 97-82.

But there's no way we can not talk about the 2014 playoffs. Khimki went undefeated (18-0) during the regular season that year and was expected to cruise against Nizhny in the first round of the playoffs. To everyone's shock, Nizhny won a nailbiter in Game 1, then swept Khimki in three games!

Last season, Moscow Region got some revenge, beating Novgorod twice by narrow margins (94-86, 86-82).

Looking Back

Intrigue
Nizhny Novgorod won a thriller against CSKA in Week Five, but needed to move on quickly with a game mid-week in the Eurocup. Unfortunately for Ainars Bagatskis's men, the trip to Greece did not end well as Nizhny lost 87-70.

Khimki, on the other hand, bounced back quickly from losses to CSKA and Bayern, beating Krasny Oktyabr and Crvena Zvezda. The Yellow-Blues are in great shape entering Monday night's game and would love to start a new winning streak.

The game against CSKA demonstrated that Nizhny Novgorod continues to play hard, despite losing most of the team's leaders over the summer. Nizhny showed no fear against a big club like CSKA  and could certainly spring another upset on Monday.

Question
Can Nizhny handle Khimki's three-point shooting?

Khimki shot 41% from beyond the arc against Krasny Oktyabr and an astounding 55% against Crvena Zvezda. Moscow Region has so many weapons: Tyrese Rice, Alexey Shved, Zoran Dragic, Petteri Koponen, Egor Vyaltsev, Sergey Monia...

Meanwhile, Nizhny Novgorod dreams of adding another big scalp and will do everything it can to win. Defending the perimeter will be one important factor in the game.

Duel
Maxim Grigoryev (Nizhny Novgorod) vs. Alexey Shved (Khimki).

There have been some ups and downs for both these players at their new clubs, but overall they pose a huge threat to the opposition. Grigoryev fit in very quickly at Nizhny. The ex-Lokomotiv-Kuban captain is the team's leading scorer and perhaps the number one weapon on offense.

As for Shved, Khimki general director Pavel Astakhov recently said that there have been a few complicating factors for Shved, but everything should be worked out soon and the former Minnesota Timberwolf will start to play his best. Who knows, those words might help motivate Shved even more.

In any case, the fans can expect an entertaining evening. Cheeky 3-point shooting from Grigoryev, dribble-drive penetration from Shved: both guards will be going all out on Monday.

Quotes
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Ainars Bagatskis:
- Khimki's roster is impressive. But the coaching staff also has a tough challenge: finding playing time and a satisfactory role for all of the big names. They're still figuring that out. We already showed against CSKA that every team has its weaknesses. There aren't always a lot, but our challenge is to take advantage of them. I expect our fans to help us out once again.

Khimki head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis:
- Nizhny Novgorod is playing well right now. Yes, they lost their most recent game in the Eurocup, but before that they knocked off CSKA. The team is well organized, plays up-tempo and has a lot of outside shooters. I'd especially note Dmitry Khvostov and Semen Antonov. In a word, it's going to be tough on the road.

Prediction
- This game will be a real treat, - says UNICS forward Vadim Panin, formerly with Khimki and Nizhny Novgorod. - I'm confident both teams will give everything they have on the court. I don't know who will win. I don't think anyone knows right now. Khimki has an advantage in individual talent. Moscow Region has a whole collection of European stars. Nizhny Novgorod, for its part, presents a united front. They are betting on team basketball and constant ball movement. An important factor will be Nizhny Novgorod's "sixth man", the fans, and how well they support the team. I won't keep it a secret: I'm rooting for Nizhny. I spent three excellent years there and I still have a lot of friends on the team.