UNICS defeated Zenit in the Semifinals Game 1 – 94:67 (32-21, 24-20, 18-9, 20-17).
Game progress
Just like last season, UNICS and Zenit faced off in the Semifinals. Their efficient offense, Louis Labeyrie and Marcos Knight actions allowed the Kazan team to take a lead after the first quarter – 32:21. The game equalised in the second quarter, but the hosts looked slightly better. Vyacheslav Zaitsev came off the bench to make 7 points, after that the Kazan team scored 4 more and built a sizeable lead – 56-41 at the halftime.
Key moment
UNICS controlled the game in the third quarter and also improved in the final minutes. Jalen Reynolds, Georgiy Zhbanov and Andrey Vorontsevich made shots and Zenit 9 points in 10 minutes became decisive. In the remaining time, the reigning champion was unable to make a comeback.
Fact
In the 2022 Semifinals, UNICS also won the Game 1 (74-65 in St. Petersburg), but after that Zenit won 3 in a row, advanced to the Finals and became the League champions.
Key factor
Zenit were the best defensive team in the League this season, allowing opponents to score just 72.3 points. In 3 of the 4 Quarterfinals games, MBA failed to score 70 points.
But UNICS found weaknesses in Xavi Pascual formations: 94 points on 62.5% from the game and 27 assists.
Leaders
UNICS: Jalen Reynolds (16 + 5 rebounds), Louis Labeyrie (15), Marcos Knight (12), Vyacheslav Zaitsev (12), Daryl Macon (7 + 7 assists).
Zenit: Caleb Homesley (25), Adrien Moerman (10).
Next game: April 18 in Kazan
