CSKA defeated UNICS in the Finals Game 2 in Kazan – 94:83 (23:8, 25:31, 21:17, 25:27).
Game progress
The game started with a 7-point run by the guests. At the end of the third minute, the host scored first points. Neither Velimir Perasovic timeout nor substitutions could wake up UNICS offense. The Kazan team made only 3 of 13 shots in the first quarter. The Moscow team had no problems. The guests were better at rebounding (11-6), have less turnovers (3-6) and achieved a huge advantage with Melo Trimble drives and the bigmen play in the paint. By the end of the opening quarter, CSKA already had a 15-point lead – 23:8.
At the start of the second quarter, after Anton Astapkovich three-pointer, the difference reached 19 points – 33:14. But the Kazan team had already started to cut the deficit. The hosts added aggression in defense, started making long-range shots. UNICS looked more confident in the fast-paced game, and cut the difference to 9 points by the halftime – 39:48.
Key moment
As the third quarter progressed, the Kazan team got within 6 points – 54:60. But the Moscow team quickly regained a double-digit lead. The guests made a decisive run in the middle of the final quarter. “Olivier Hanlan, Casper War and Amath M’Baye brought CSKA lead to 18 points – 92:74. The hosts were able to cut the deficit in the remaining time, but there was no real intrigue.
X-factor
In the Finals, offense is the key factor. In this game, the Moscow team held the offensive rhythm of the Game 1 and once again scored over 90 points. The Kazan team let their opponent slip away in the first quarter (8 points) and were unable to catch up.
Fact
CSKA is the best road team in the Playoffs. The Moscow team has 5 wins in 6 road games.
The teams show nearly perfect free throw shooting percentage in this Series . In 2 games, CSKA has missed only 1 of 30. The Kazan team has 36 of 38 free throws made.
Leaders
UNICS: Markos Knight (22 + 5 rebounds), Nenad Dimitrijevic (18 + 9 assists), Louis Labeyrie (14), Jalen Reynolds (11), Dmitriy Kulagin (11).
CSKA: Melo Trimble (20), Livio Jean-Charles (14), Casper Ware (10 + 8 assists), Anton Astapkovich (10).
What’s next
May 31 in Moscow.
