UNICS defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in 3rd Place Series at home – 88:86 (19:21, 28:23, 23:15, 18:27).
Game progress
UNICS started the series 12-day break, while Loko had played against Zenit in Semifinal Game 7 on May 22. The Kazan team regained strength and ended up winning the Game 1 on Monday. But by the Game 2, the Krasnodar team was much better prepared. This time, Loko significantly outperformed the opponent in rebounds (21-10 in first half). The guests immediately identified Patrick Miller (14 points, 5 assists) as their leader, whose duel with DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (14 points, 3 assists) became the highlight of the first half. UNICS advantage by the halftime was 3 points – 47:44.
The Kazan team boosted in third quarter and allowed Loko to score only 15 points. UNICS also increased the lead – 70:59.
The Krasnodar team started the decisive quarter with 2 long-range shots and got back into the game. As it was in Game 2, the fans saw clutch again
Key moment
The tension remained until the end. In the last minute, UNICS pulled ahead with Akoon-Purcell and a free throw by Dmitry Kulagin, while Kirill Temirov and Kirill Elatontsev missed three-pointers (87:84). But Elatontsev reduced the deficit to a minimum after 2 of 2 free-throws.
After a timeout by the Kazan team, Marcos Knight stepped up to the free-throw line due to tactical foul, making the first attempt and missed the second. In the end, Isaiah Whaley tried to score from its own half, but missed and UNICS took second win.
X-factor
If in the first game UNICS’ numerous turnovers allowed Loko to take the game into the clutch, today the Krasnodar team’s players made more turnovers. The Kazan team had more steals (13-6) and corrected the situation with turnovers (14-20).
Facts
The Series moves to Krasnodar with UNICS leading 2-0.
The hosts were ahead throughout the second half. The difference was only 1 point with 2.2 seconds left.
The starters and bench players of Lokomotiv Kuban scored exactly 43 points each.
Leaders
UNICS: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (23 + 5 assists), Derrun Hilliard (12), Dmitry Kulagin (11), Jalen Reynolds (10 + 8 rebounds)
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (21 + 10 assists), Antonius Cleveland (17), Isaiah Wiley (14 + 10 rebounds), Kirill Elatontsev (12 + 7 rebounds)
What’s next
Game 3 on May 31 in Krasnodar.
