UNICS defeated Avtodor in Quarterfinals Game 1 at home – 99:70 (23:26, 29:15, 25:14, 22:15).

Game progress
Despite underdog status, the Saratov team started the game very confidently. Caleb Agada and Dusan Beslac activity allowed Avtodor to take the lead at the end of the first quarter. However, long-range shots by Mikhail Belenitskii and Jalen Reynolds helped the Kazan team to take the initiative. DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell soon stepped up and UNICS had a double-digit lead for the first time. The hosts finished the first half with impressive lead – 52:41.

Key moment
UNICS didn’t take long to get huge lead. Akoon-Purcell and Reynolds didn’t see Avtodor defense, other hosts players began to join the offense, the difference began to grow rapidly. By the end of the third quarter, it was already over 20 points – 77:55. UNICS opened the series with a confident home win.

X-factor
After allowing the Saratov team a lot in the first quarter, UNICS quickly adjusted the defense and didn’t let the opponent score more than 15 points in any quarter. The Kazan team offense is also worth noting: 31 assists – the current Playoffs record.

Facts
Marcus Keene and Darrin Hilliard made their debut for UNICS. The newcomers scored 17 points combined.

Dmitry Kulagin set Playoffs career-high 10 assists.

Avtodor still can’t win in the Playoffs. The Saratov team losing streak has reached 16 games.

Leaders
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (25 + 6 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (15 + 5 assists), Marcos Knight (11 + 4 steals), Marcus Keene (10), Andrey Lopatin (7 + 6 rebounds), Ismael Bako (6 + 8 rebounds), Dmitry Kulagin (5 + 10 assists).
Avtodor: Caleb Agada (21 + 7 rebounds), Kerem Kanter (14 + 6 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (12), Bryant Crawford (6 + 5 rebounds + 6 assists), Artem Klimenko (4 + 5 rebounds), Jamal Jones (2 + 5 rebounds).

What’s next
April 25 in Kazan.