UNICS beat CSKA in the Game of the Week on the road – 83:73 (20:22, 14:20, 28:17, 21:14).
Game progress
The leaders’ game was expected to be tight, and expectations were proved. The teams made shots and the difference was only 5 point maximum. Both rivals had a good amount of free throws, but UNICS had problems with making them. The Playoffs 2023 MVP Nenad Dimitrijevic led the team (10 points, 3 steals, 5 of 7 from the game), but his teammates made only 23% of the shots (6 of 26). Casper Ware three-pointers let CSKA to get a comfortable lead in the first half – 42:34.
Dmitry Kulagin helped Dimitrijevic at the start of the second half. the Russian guard made 15 points with 5 three-pointers in the third quarter, the Kazan team got back in the game and took the lead – 62:56. But the guests lead was not take long. Melo Trimble equalised the score with three-pointers and then made free throws for the lead.
Key moment
UNICS had enough strength for the respond. Velimir Perasovic defense let the Army team score only 4 points in 7 minutes, and Kulagin made shot made the difference double-digit 2:32 before the end – 79:68.
CSKA missed shots in the end and wasn’t able to get the intrigue back. UNICS took revenge for November loss in Kazan and gets closer to the leader in the standings.
X-factor
Dmitry Kulagin performance in the third quarter helped to make a comeback, but the guests defense allowed to change the game in the second half. CSKA made only 25% shots from the game in the last quarter (4 of 16).
Fact
Dmitry Kulagin made 6 three-pointers (career-high), CSKA had the same number of long-range shots. The guard also scored 27 points, which is also career-high.
Leaders
CSKA: Casper Ware (16), Melo Trimble (15), Livio Jean-Charles (14), Amath M’Baye (12)
UNICS: Dmitry Kulagin (27), Nenad Dimitrijevic (17 + 9 assists + 7 rebounds), Louis Labeyire (15 + 7 rebounds), Erick Green (11)
What’s next
CSKA: February 11 on the road versus PARMA
UNICS: February 10 at home against Enisey.
