Zenit defeated UNICS in the Game of the Week – 87:84 (21:18, 18:28, 27:13, 21:25).
Game progress
At the start of the game, neither opponent managed to take the lead. Only at the end of the first quarter, Zenit got a point lead. However, the second quarter was discouraging. UNICS picked up the pace and noticeably improved defense. An 8:2 run helped the Kazan team put the game back, and Zenit failed to to catch up with the hosts before the halftime. By the end of the first half, the Kazan team had a 7-point lead – 46:39.
The St. Petersburg team had different attitude in the second half. The guests had maximum focus on defense. UNICS, which played with a limited rotation (Marcos Knight and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell were out of action), was noticeably running around and could hardly keep up the opponents’ pace. Omari Spellman and Dwayne Bacon duo gave the guests the same -point lead before the final quarter – 66:59.
Key moment
Zenit continued to make shots. Georgy Zhbanov 4 points and an assist helped Xavier Pascual team achieve a double-digit lead for the first time – 74:63. Still, the Kazan team found a leader who tried to turn the game around. After 5 points in a row from Dmitry Kulagin, the Kazan team managed to get back into the game – 82:77.
Then Kulagin made another three-pointer in the final minute of the game, cutting the difference to 1 point. On the next possession, Bacon got fouled and converted both free-throw shots – 87:84. UNICS tried to save the game, but Alex Poythress tight defense forced Kulagin to make a difficult shot, which was missed. Zenit is still undefeated.
X-factor
Omari Spellman was Zenit leader in the last 2 games. The game against UNICS was his best scoring. In addition, the forward was one of the best players in the game in efficiency (27 eff. points), behind only Dmitry Kulagin.
Facts
Zenit defeated UNICS in Kazan for the first time in 7 games.
Zenit starting five scored the most points in the first 2 games (among all starting five in the League) – 67 points on average. The third game was no exception: the St. Petersburg team starting five scored 69 points.
Leaders
UNICS: Dmitry Kulagin (23), Tony Taylor (21 + 5 assists), Jalen Reynolds (17 + 8 rebounds), Sergey Toropov (11), Ismael Bako (7 + 7 rebounds).
Zenit: Omari Spellman (24 + 7 rebounds), Dwayne Bacon (22), Alex Poythress (14), Vince Hunter (10 + 8 rebounds).
What’s next
UNICS: October 2 on the road versus Enisey
Zenit: October 3 at home against PARMA.
