UNICS defeated MBA-MAI in Game 2 at home – 83:63 (16:20, 14:12, 31:14, 22:17).
Game progress
UNICS started the series against MBA-MAI with the confident win, with the Kazan team sealing the deal as early as the second quarter. The Moscow team made adjustments and crowded the paint, preventing Jalen Reynolds and Marcus Bingham from getting open. The hosts were unable to compensate from long-range – 1 of 13. Neither team was efficient in scoring (62 points combined at halftime). Former UNICS player Aleksander Platunov was the only player to score double digits points (12). UNICS made up for its offensive struggles with rebounding (29-15). With such advantage, the hosts kept MBA-MAI close—30:32.
The third quarter was the turning point. Velimir Perasovic immediately sent Reynolds alongside the Kulagin brothers to action, who finally began to stretch the defense from the perimeter, giving the center more freedom and space. A rapid 12-0 run in 2 minutes (9 points by Jalen) gave UNICS a comfortable lead, which the hosts continued to build until the end of the quarter—31-14 and a 15-point lead heading into the decisive quarter.
Key moment
Series of long-range shots (2 by Maksim Barashkov) at the start of the fourth quarter allowed MBA-MAI to hint at a comeback, but UNICS responded with a drive by Reynolds and three-pointer by Marcus Bingham, pushing the opponent back to 15-point difference. For the remainder of the game, the Kazan team controlled the game and secured second win in the series—2-0.
X-Factor
UNICS’s commanding rebounding advantage—51-29, including 19-6 offensive.
Facts
UNICS took a 2-0 lead in the best of 5 and can clinch to Semifinals on May 2 in Moscow.
Jalen Reynolds recorded his 20th double-double in the VTB League.
Leaders
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (26 points + 10 rebounds), Marcus Bingham (12 points + 8 rebounds), Alexey Shved (10 points)
MBA-MAI: Aleksandr Platunov (16 points), Vladislav Trushkin (9 points + 9 rebounds)
Next game
May 2 in Moscow.
