CSKA beat UNICS on the road in Game 4 of the Finals – 102:76 (20:27, 30:22, 24:12, 28:15).
Game progress
UNICS came out with the right mentality for a must-win home game trailing 0-3. By the midpoint of the first quarter the hosts had opened up a 10-point lead. The defensive intensity produced 5 blocks in the opening quarter and made life difficult for CSKA’s offense, but also came at a cost in fouls. The Moscow team made the most of 11 free-throw attempts and then hit back with a quick run in the second quarter.
CSKA made up for a significant shooting disadvantage in the first half (40.5% vs 66.7%) by generating far more attempts (37 vs 24). Offensive rebounds (9 vs 3) and UNICS turnovers (8 vs 2) kept the Moscow team in the game. The guests went into the break up by 1.
Key moment
After halftime, UNICS could no longer keep pace offensively. CSKA opened the third quarter with a 13:2 run and took control. Melo Trimble and Casper Ware were again the driving force, combining for half the team’s points (37) by the start of the fourth.
3 three-pointers in the opening minutes of the final quarter pushed CSKA’s lead to 20 and effectively ended the contest. The Moscow team scored a 100 and wrapped up a brilliant Playoffs run.
X-Factor
CSKA’s star backcourt made the difference once again. Melo Trimble finished with 23 points, Casper Ware with 22.
Facts
CSKA won the VTB United League championship for the 13th time.
The Moscow team finished the Playoffs with just 1 loss — against Lokomotiv Kuban.
The last time the Finals ended in a sweep (3-0) was in the 2020/21 season, between the same two teams and with the same winner. A 4-0 Finals result has never happened before.
Ivan Ukhov passed the 2,000-point mark in the League.
Semen Antonov reached 1,500 rebounds in VTB League.
Elijah Stewart set UNICS career-high 20 points.
Leaders
UNICS: Elijah Stewart (20), Marcus Bingham (12 + 5 rebounds)
CSKA: Melo Trimble (23), Casper Ware (22 + 5 assists), Antonius Cleveland (11), Ivan Ukhov (10), Livio Jean-Charles (10)
