UNICS defeated Samara on the road – 105:80 (25:21, 26:19, 31:20, 23:20).
Game progress
The Kazan team took the lead from the opening minutes. However, the hosts did not allow the guests to create a serious lead due to high 2-point shots percentage (7 of 10). Disciplined play and a good three-point shooting (5 out of 11 – 45%) allowed UNICS to win the opening quarter – 25:21.
During the second quarter, Samara managed to tie the score, but 9 turnovers prevented from improving the result. Velimir Perasovic team took advantage of opponents’ mistakes and increased lead to 11 points by halftime.
The second half was controlled by the Kazan team. UNICS played well in defense and on rebounds, steadily increasing the difference in the score. As a result, UNICS scored 100 points for the 5th time and had best scoring game of the season.
X-factor
Samara committed 29 turnovers, allowing the Kazan team to make 17 steals.
Facts
Rivalry history score: 12-1, UNICS leads. The only time Samara beat the Kazan team in October 2023 at home (104-93).
Nikita Mikhailovskii – Dmitry Cheburkin (35.4 points) and Marcus Bingham – Jalen Reynolds (34.6 points) are the two best-scoring duos in the VTB League at the moment.
Leaders
Samara: Nikita Mikhailovskii (23 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists), Aleksandr Kuznetsov (16), Gleb Sheiko (15 + 6 rebounds), Evgeny Minchenko (10).
UNICS: Marcus Bingham (24 + 6 rebounds), Jalen Reynolds (17 + 5 rebounds), Ty Brewer (17 + 7 rebounds), Alexey Shved (13 + 12 assists), Andrey Lopatin (12 + 6 rebounds).
What’s next
Samara: January 13 on the road versus CSKA
UNICS: January 14 on the road against Uralmash.
