UNICS beat Samara at home – 83:73 (17:16, 23:18, 24:16, 19:23).
Game progress
Although the regular season winner was the favorite, Samara started the game very confident. The guests held the advantage for most of the opening quarter, and only at the end UNICS regain a minimal lead – 17:16. Erick Green shined in the second quarter – his 10 points helped the hosts to take a double-digit lead, but Javontae Hawkins and Justin Roberson stopped UNICS and by the halftime, the Kazan team had 6-point lead – 40:34.
Key moment
Samara had an impactful stretch at the start of the second half, getting within 1 point. UNICS picked up the pace and responded with a 14:1 run to regain a double-digit lead. At the start of the final quarter, Andrey Vorontsevich through-pointer brought the hosts lead to 17 points.
Although Samara won the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 8 points a couple times, but didn’t have time for a comeback, as the Kazan team run in the third quarter became decisive.
X-factor
UNICS defense played a key role in the decisive moment. Ismael Bako had 4 blocks in the game and solid paint defense, as well Marcos Knight, who had been out for almost a month due to injury, but played 35 minutes in this game.
Fact
The team from Samara last participated in the United League Playoffs exactly 10 years ago – then it was Krasnye Krylia, who lost toUNICS 0-3 in the Quarterfinals 2014.
Nenad Dimitrijevic set a career-high 15 assists. He also made 500 assists in the League in this game.
Leaders
UNICS: Erick Green (20), Ismael Bako (18 + 4 blocked shots), Nenad Dimitrijevic (11 + 15 assists), Marcos Knight (10), Jalen Reynolds (9 + 6 rebounds).
Samara: James Thompson (13 + 7 rebounds), Javontae Hawkins (12), Justin Roberson (11 + 5 assists), Nikola Rebic (10), Rade Zagorac (7 + 6 rebounds).
What’s next
April 25 in Kazan.
