UNICS defeated Pari Nizhny Novgorod on the road – 70:61 (22:23, 14:17, 18:16, 7:14).
Game progress
In the opening quarter, the teams played equal – the lead changed 8 times. Dmitry Kulagin three-pointers and fast break layups gave UNICS a double-digit lead – 36:26. But Velimir Perasovic team failed to increase the lead. Toward the end of the first half, the hosts made several long-range shots and cut the lead to 4 points with a 10:2 run by the halftime – 40:36.
At the start of the second half Nizhny finally got back into the game – Casey Shepherd drives put the hosts ahead – 42:40. Perasovic timeout restored UNICS’ tone – the rest of the quarter was more confident and regained the lead before the fourth quarter – 56:54.
Key moment
In the final quarter, both teams showed their best defense and managed to score only 6 points in 6 minutes. But in the last 3 minutes, only the Kazan team offense worked. Pick-and-rolls by Nenad Dimitrijevic and Ismael Bako increased UNICS’ lead to 6 points – 66:60. Nizhny failed to use on back-to-back possessions, allowing the guests to bring the game to a win.
X-factor
An important reason for another Kazan team win was the defense again. The guests forced Nizhny to make 16 turnovers. UNICS’ defense also worked flawlessly at the end of the game – the hosts didn’t make a single shot in the final 3 minutes.
Fact
UNICS retained its status as the holder of the longest winning streak (6 games). The closest pursuer is Lokomotiv Kuban, which has a 4-game winning streak.
Leaders
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: Casey Shepherd (15 + 6 assists), Glenn Causey (12).
UNICS: Markos Knight (15), Nenad Dimitrijevic (13 + 5 assists), Jalen Reynolds (12).
What’s next
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (5-14): January 6 away versus Avtodor
UNICS (15-4): January 5 on the road against Runa.
