Lokomotiv Kuban defeated UNICS in 3rd Place Series Game 3 at home – 86:77 (23:15, 19:15, 24:30, 20:17).
Game progress
UNICS started the 3rd Place Series with 2 home wins. In these games, the Kazan team hed lead after first half, after which the Krasnodar team caught up and lost in the endings. This time, the first 20 minutes belonged to Loko, who turned on defense. Andrei Vedishchev team allowed the guests to score only 30 points with 0 of 7 three-pointers made and 30% field-goals made. Patrick Miller (10 + 3 assists), Isaiah Wiley (11) and Kirill Temirov (8 points) helped the hosts to get the lead bu halftime – 42:30.
For most of the third quarter, Lokomotiv Kuban controlled the game, but at the end UNICS finally got going. The Krasnodar team made several turnovers, DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell helped to make a 15:3 run , which allowed the Kazan team to score 30 points in a quarter (the same number as in the entire first half) and reduce the deficit to 6 points.
The Kazan team took the lead 3.5 minutes later – 70:69. Loko managed to stop the opponent with Miller and Temirov efforts.
Key moment
UNICS did not have enough strength for another run. In the last 3.5 minutes, the guests scored only 2 points, while making 4 turnovers. After regaining the lead, Loko did not allow the opponent to repeat the breakthrough, managed to push the Kazan team to a comfortable difference and took the first win in series – 86:77.
X-factor
Tahjere McCall returned to the starting five after missing the previous game due to health problems. The guard had 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
Facts
The guests came back from 18-point deficit and took the lead with 6.5 minutes left, but the Krasnodar team regained the lead and won.
UNICS made only 4 of 21 three-pointers (19%).
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (29 + 6 assists), Isaiah Wiley (15 + 5 rebounds), Kirill Temirov (13), Tahjere McCall (10)
UNICS: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (21), Jalen Reynolds (15 + 6 rebounds), Ismael Bako (13 + 15 rebounds), Marcos Knight (12 + 5 assists)
Next game
Game 4 on June 2 in Krasnodar.
