UNICS defeated CSKA at home – 88:78 (21:27, 24:14, 19:21, 24:16).
Game progress
In the main game of the regular season, UNICS and CSKA had to find out who would take 1st place. CSKA led at the start. Despite Nenad Dimitrijevic hot hand, the guests held an 8-9 point lead. At the start of the second quarter, Melo Trimble and-one and Anton Astapkovich free throws made the difference double-digit – 32:21. However, UNICS was just getting warmed up. Jalen Reynolds had a bright stretch (9 points in a row), then 2 three-pointers by Dimitrijevic and same Reynolds – and the Kazan team had already taken the lead – 38:36. Emil Rajkovic tried to stop the hosts run with a timeout, but the end of the quarter remained for the home team – 45:41.
The teams pushed the pace to the limit at the start of the second half. UNICS had a 10-point lead with such fast game. Still, Semen Antonov and Melo Trimble put together an 8:0 run, bringing the Moscow team lead to a minimum – 64:62.
Key moment
Still, UNICS wasn’t going to give up the win at home. Dimitrijevic helped the Kazan team build an advantage. He was supported by Reynolds and Erick Green. By the last minute of the game, Astapkovich long-range shot kept the intrigue alive – 78:86. However, after Perasovic timeout, Erick Green quickly put the score difference back to 10 points, while Astapkovich and Nikita Kurbanov missed last three-pointers.
UNICS became the winner of the regular season, while CSKA final place depends on after tomorrow Zenit vs PARMA game.
X-factor
Although Nenad Dimitrijevic has accustomed to help his team in crucial moments, the guard was unstoppable today. He missed only 5 of his 20 shots and set career-high 40 points and 52 eff. points. Both are the second best in the VTB League in the 2023/24 season.
Fact
UNICS celebrates a win in the regular season for the first time in its history.
CSKA can take third place in the regular season if Zenit defeats PARMA on Sunday.
Leaders
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (40 + 6 rebounds + 9 assists), Jalen Reynolds (22 + 5 rebounds), Erick Green (12), Louis Labeyrie (5 + 5 rebounds), Ismael Bako (3 + 9 rebounds).
CSKA: Melo Trimble (21 + 6 assists), Livio Jean-Charles (14 + 7 rebounds), Anton Astapkovich (14), Amath M’Baye (8 + 7 rebounds), Tonye Jekiri (6 + 6 rebounds).
What’s next
UNICS (26-10): April 23 against the 8th team in the standings
CSKA (25-11): April 22 against the 6th or 7th team in the standings.
