CSKA defeated UNICS in Semifinals Game 2 at home – 95:87 (20:28, 21:17, 28:22, 26:20).
Game progress
Compared to the previous game, UNICS head coach Velimir Perasovic made significant changes to his team’s starting five. And the move worked. Jalen Reynolds and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell allowed the guests to take the lead, Marcus Keene and Marcos Knight came off the bench and increased the lead even more with three-pointers. As a result, the Kazan team took an 8-point lead – 28:20.
In the second quarter, the Moscow team added aggression in defense and was able to stop the opponent offense. The guests scored first points after 6 minutes in quarter. Meanwhile, the Moscow team with Aleksa Avramovic (18 points) gradually overtook the opponent and got a lead – 30:28.
But the Kazan team regained the lead and had it before the halftime – 45:41.
Key moment
The teams continued to focus more on offense after the halftime. But this time the Moscow team looked more confident. This was due to sharpshooters. The hosts took the initiative with three-pointers.
The final quarter was Casper Ware and Avramovic time. They combined to 6 three-pointers. After that, the Moscow team lead reached 9 points – 92:83, which guaranteed the win.
X-factor
Three-pointers were the key to CSKA win. In the first half, the Moscow team was looking for its shot, and finally was able to find it in second half. The hosts scored 11 of 19 long-range shots (57.9%).
Facts
CSKA defeated the Kazan team for the second straight game and took a 2-0 lead in the series.
The lead changed 13 times, the score was tied 15 times.
UNICS lost for the first time this season when Roman Ilyuk appeared. But for Vladimir Karpenko and Nikita Mikhailovskii, the winning tradition continued. In the current season, CSKA has consistently beaten its opponents when these players participated in game.
Aleksa Avramovic updated his season-high 32 points. Marcus Keene also had his best scoring game in UNICS (23 points).
Leaders
CSKA: Aleksa Avramovic (32 + 5 assists), Casper Ware (26), Livio Jean-Charles (11), Melo Trimble (10 + 5 rebounds).
UNICS: Marcus Keene (23), Jalen Reynolds (20), Marcos Knight (13), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (12).
What’s next
May 12 in Kazan.
