UNICS defeated BETCITY PARMA at home – 103:83 (33:20, 26:21, 26:20, 18:22).
Game progress
The Kazan team defeated PARMA twice in September in friendlies. The hosts’ 13:2 run from the start quickly forced Evgeny Pashutin to call a timeout. The guests improved the offense, but were unable to contain UNICS, who finished the first quarter with 33 points (75% shooting) and made a serious bid (59) for a 100 by halftime.
The most indicative of the hosts’ offensive efficiency was the play of newcomer forward Marcus Bingham, who scored his first 17 points without a miss (7 of 7 from the field).
UNICS entered the final quarter with a 24-point lead, after which slowed down slightly. The hosts reached the 100 points just 2 minutes before the end.
X-factor
Forward Marcus Bingham made his VTB United League debut with 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, making 12 of 15 shots from the field and 2 of 2 three-pointers.
Facts
The Kazan team was close to setting a record for the first days of the VTB League, scoring 103 points. The record for scoring belongs to the same UNICS of 2016/17 season (104 points).
The game was a milestone for both teams. BETCITY PARMA opened its 10th season in the VTB League, while UNICS won its first game for the 10th time in a row.
Leaders
UNICS: Marcus Bingham (27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals), Andrey Lopatin (15 + 7 rebounds + 5 assists), Paris Lee (14 + 8 assists), Dayshawn Pierre (13)
BETCITY PARMA: Brendan Adams (20), Gleb Firsov (16), Aleksandr Shashkov (12), Victor Sanders (11 + 5 assists + 5 steals)
What’s next
UNICS: October 4 against Zenit on the road
BETCITY PARMA: October 1 versus Pari Nizhny Novgorod on the road
