UNICS defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the Semifinals Game 4 – 85:68 (21:12, 25:18, 21:23, 18:15).
Game progress
Loko started with an 8:0 run, but that didn’t discourage the guests. Gradually, the Krasnodar team fast possessions stuck in UNICS’ tight defense. At the start of the second quarter, Velimir Perasovic team had a lead – 21:12.
Dmitri Uzinskii helped the hosts cut the difference slightly, but UNICS continued to calmly control the game, quickly building the advantage. Closer to the halftime, the guests made three-pointers, Erick Green and Andrey Vorontsevich shots brought the difference to 20 points – 39:19.
Key moment
Loko wasn’t about to give up. Jaylen Barford and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell started a comeback. The hosts managed to bring some intrigue back into the game for a while. However, Green and Marcos Knight quickly restored the double-digit difference, and Nenad Dimitrijevic closed the third quarter with an and-one – 67:53.
In the final quarter, UNICS had a comfortable lead, never allowing the Krasnodar team to get within 10 points. The Series is tie and returns to Kazan.
X-factor
Despite the absence of one of the League’s best defender Ismael Bako, UNICS again showed a masterclass in defensive play. The main role was played by Reynolds and Labeyrie duo. Jalen had 3 blocks – a repeat of his season-high and the best for UNICS center in the Playoffs.
Fact
The last time UNICS beat Lokomotiv Kuban in Krasnodar a year ago – May 13, 2023 in the Finals.
Andrey Martyuk set a career-high 13 rebounds in the Playoffs.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Jaylen Barford (16), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (15), Patrick Miller (15), Andrey Martiuk (6 + 13 rebounds).
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (20 + 6 assists + 4 steals), Jalen Reynolds (18 + 6 rebounds + 3 blocked shots), Louis Labeyrie (13 + 10 rebounds), Marcos Knight (11), Erick Green (11).
What’s next
May 16 in Kazan.
