UNICS beat Loko in Game 7 and advances to the Finals

UNICS beat Loko in Game 7 and advances to the Finals

UNICS defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the Semifinals Game 7 at home – 92:87 (23:24, 26:22, 24:18, 19:23).

Game progress
From the very first possessions, the hosts tried to put down the opponents. AleksandEr Sekulic was forced to take a timeout after 4 minutes into the game. After Louis Labyrie made shot, UNICS had an 8-point lead – 14:6.

After rthat, the Krasnodar team turned on three-point shots. Patrick Miller and Karvel Anderson helped Loko to get ahead – 15:14. But the guests couldn’t develop the lead. Both teams relied on offense, but neither were able to gain any advantage. Throughout the second quarter, the difference was maximum 5 points.

The Kazan team took the lead by the halftime 49:46. As the third quarter progressed, the hosts gradually built up its advantage. After Erick Green buzzer beater, UNICS’ lead reached 9 points – 73:64.

Key moment
In the final quartrer, the hosts held the lead. But the Krasnodar team still managed to create some intrigue. Okaro White, Patrick Miller and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell shots allowed the guests to tie the game a 1.5 minute before the end – 83:83.

But the end of the game was Nenad Dimitrijevic time. UNICS leader regained the lead for his team, made a mid-range shot with a foul. 20 seconds before the end, the hosts lead reached 7 – 90:83. The Krasnodar team tried to safe the game somehow, but the Volga team kept the winning score.

X-factor
The leadership factor was key in this game. UNICS stars showed top basketball and led their team to win. Nenad Dimitrijevic became the hero. The guard made key shots in the end, scored 31 points and repeated the record of the current Playoffs.

Fact
UNICS became the second finalist this season. The Volga team opponent will be CSKA. The Game 1 will be on May 26 in Kazan. A day earlier the 3rd place series will begin. Zenit will host Lokomotiv Kuban in St. Petersburg, .

Leaders
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (31 + 6 rebounds + 6 assists), Erick Green (17), Marcos Knight (12 + 7 rebounds).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (18 + 6 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (17), Jaylen Barford (12).