UNICS beat Samara at home – 81:61 (25:21, 23:6, 19:12, 14:22).
Game progress
The teams got into a fast-paced basketball from the start. The opening quarter was equal, but by the end of the quarter the hosts began to show to lead. Defense was the key. Samara couldn’t score a single point for 6.5 minutes, and for the entire second quarter the guests made only 1 shot from the game. UNICS scored with confidence and took a steady lead. By halftime, UNICS had a 21-point lead – 48:27.
There was no intrigue in the game. The hosts defense continued to work after the halftime. Erick Green offensive performance allowed UNICS to increase the lead even more. The third quarter ended with Green buzzer-beater, after which the difference grew to 28 points – 67:39. In the final quarter, Samara cut the difference a bit, but the game never really came down to a comeback.
X-factor
In the first round game against Samara, the Kazan team let opponents score 104. In the same game, the defense that was the key to success for the hosts.
Fact
During the second and third quarters, the guests were able to score only one shot from the game. By the end of the third quarter, Samara scored more points from free-throws (22 points) than from the game (17 points). Only James Thompson actions in the paint in the final quarter allowed Samara to get more field goals made (33-28).
UNICS showed ultra-aggressive defense in this game. This resulted in a large number of fouls. The Kazan team updated season-high with 30 fouls (the second worst result in the League this season).
Leaders
UNICS: Erick Green (20), Nenad Dimitrijevic (19 + 7 assists), Louis Labeyrie (13)
Samara: James Thompson (21 + 6 rebounds), Justin Roberson (14 + 6 assists).
What’s next
UNICS (14-4): December 30 at home against Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Samara (10-9): January 7 at home versus CSKA.
