UNICS stopped MBA offense and got the 22nd win of the season — 94:63 (24:19, 20:16, 20:18, 30:10).
Game progress
Zenit win over CSKA brought back the intrigue in the battle for first place. UNICS needed to defeat MBA. The guests started the game with positional basketball. While the Moscow team cannot score, Daryl Macon and Anthony Brown provided UNICS with a 9:3 run.
With the help of the rotation, the hosts were able to level the game. Moreover, at the start of the second quarter, MBA increased the pace, carried out several good fastbreaks and at some point even took the lead – 28:27. But the Kazan team quickly stopped this. The guests strengthened the defense, forced the opponent to make turnovers and completely took the lead. Louis Labyrie and Anthony Brown played solo at that moment. By the halftime, the Kazan team duo had 24 points, and the Volga team lead was close to double-digit – 44:35.
Key moment
Throughout the third quarter, the hosts not allowed UNICS to greatly increase the score difference. But MBA did not have enough strength for a real comeback. Daryl Macon was on fire in the last quarter. The Kazan team leader scored 12 points and in the middle of the quarter made UNICS lead by 25 points – 83:58. The game result was determined.
Key factor
The hosts made 23 turnovers in this game (UNICS – 11). A huge amount of turnovers with poor shot percentage (16% – 4 out of 25) were the key factors in MBA defeat.
Fact
UNICS are now 2 wins behind CSKA. Already on February 15, the teams will play and that game can become the main event of the entire regular season.
Leaders
MBA: Evgeny Voronov (14), Timofey Yakushin (11 + 5 assists)
UNICS: Louis Labeyrie (19 + 9 rebounds), Daryl Macon (18), Anthony Brown (17 + 5 rebounds + 5 assists), Georgiy Zhbanov (12 + 4 steals)
Next game
MBA: home game versus Lokomotiv Kuban on February 14
UNICS: home game against CSKA on February 15
