EUROBASKET 2011

Turning Point: With 7:17 to go, Georgia cut the margin to just two points, but failed to make the next play. For almost four minutes the score didn't change and the first to wake up was Russia with six points in a row that decided the game.

Game Hero: Andrei Kirilenko was once again everywhere on the court today. It's not only the 20 points on 60% from the floor but also lots of clutch plays and being the right man at the right place at the right moment for his team.

Stats Don't Lie: Russia played very aggressive defense on Zaza Pachulia and it worked out. The Georgian big guy scored 11 points but in only 27% from the floor and with that performance it was too much for Georgia to handle.

Russia survived a tough game against Georgia with a 65-58 victory after 40 minutes of intense basketball in Group D at Klaipeda.

Russia now take a 2-0 record to top the group while Georgia fell to 1-1 tied with Bulgaria.

Andrei Kirilenko led Russia once again this time with 20 points and Sergey Monya added 12 points including a trifecta of three-pointers.

Manuchar Markoishvili was the top scorer for Georgia with 21 points, while Zaza Pachulia added 11 but hit just 27% from the field and Viktor Sanikidze scored 10 next to eight boards.

The great intensity started from tip off as the fans pushed Georgia to fight for every ball and stayed within striking distance, trailing 20-16 after 10 minutes.

Kirilenko and a couple of shots by Monya made the difference early in the second quarter and soon Russia grabbed a double-digit lead.

Pachulia didn't find the rhythm because of great team defense by Russia.

Despite the gap Georgia kept the fight on.

Markoishvili got his team back into the game. With 7:17 left to play, they were within 52-50.

However, that's when Georgia stopped to execute.

For the next 3:27 minutes no point was scored and the first to wake up from the sleep was Russia with six points in a row by Andrey Vorontsevich and Kirilenko.

Marquez Haynes broke the drought for Georgia after almost five minutes but it was too late.

Following the rest day on Friday, Russia will take on Belgium while Georgia will try to upset Slovenia on Saturday.