Lokomotiv Kuban defeated UNICS in the Semifinals Game 2 on the road – 84:71 (12:22, 25:17, 15:15, 32:17).
Game progress
From the very first minutes, the teams tried to impose “their” basketball on the opponent. The Krasnodar team used fastbreaks at the first opportunity, while the Kazan team relied on the individual skills and long-range shots. The hosts made 6 of 8 three-pointers in 10 minutes. Andrey Vorontsevich summed up the first quarter with a long-range shot. After his three-pointer, UNICS had a double-digit lead for the first time in the game – 22:12.
In the second quarter, the Krasnodar team added aggression on defense on the perimeter. Three-pointers by Louis Labeyrie allowed the hosts to maintain a good long-range shooting percentage. But the lead went away from UNICS. Aggressive basketball allowed Loko to control the game. By halftime, the Krasnodar team trailed by 2 – 37:39.
Key moment
The third quarter was equal, but guests were able to take control by the final quarter. Karvel Anderson, Patrick Miller and Maurice Ndour played a major role in the Krasnodar team winning spurt. After Okaro White free throws 3 minutes before the end, Loko had a double-digit lead – 74:63. The Kazan team tried to save the game, but Loko kept their confidence at the decisive moment and got win.
X-factor
Loko newcomers played a key role in tonight win. Ndour, Miller and Anderson sparked the guests key run in the final quarter. The3 scored 54 of the team’s 84 points in the game.
Fact
For the first time this season, the guests were able to win. The Krasnodar team also eneded streak tonight. Before to this game, UNICS had 5-game winning streak in Playoffs against Loko.
For the second time in the League history and for the first time since 2013, both Semifinal series were tied (1-1) after the first 2 games. In 2013, Khimki and CSKA, as well as Zalgiris and Lokomotiv Kuban played in the Playoffs.
Leaders
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (12 + 11 assists + 5 rebounds), Dmitry Kulagin (12), Louis Labeyrie (11 + 5 rebounds), Marcos Knight (10).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Karvel Anderson (22), Patrick Miller (19 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists), Maurice Ndour (13 + 10 rebounds + 5 assists).
Next game
May 11 in Krasnodar.
