UNICS defeated CSKA in the Game of the Week at home- 86:78 (17:24, 21:22, 25:15, 23:17).
Game progress
Closing the regular season, the teams decided to please fans with a bright game. It started off equally, but then CSKA began to gradually take the initiative. At the end of the first quarter, the Moscow team was able to get a double-digit lead – 35:22.
However, the real fight was still ahead. Ismael Bako and Jalen Reynolds dominated in the paint, and UNICS made significant improvements in defense. But Andrey Lopatin and Artem Komolov were the main heroes of the comeback. After winning the third quarter by 10 points, UNICS had lead after Marcos Knight made shot – 63:61.
Key moment
In the final quarter, the teams were focused on defense. The Moscow team managed to get closer to the opponent. Semen Antonov gave CSKA a chance for clutch ending, leaving UNICS with a point lead (77:76).
Still, the Kazan team won the final minutes of the game. Antonov’s shot was immediately responded with three-pointer by DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, forcing the Moscow team to take a timeout. The next seconds included Avramovic missed shot and spectacular alley-oop by Knight and Reynolds. Melo Trimble desperate attempts to turn the game around resulted only in block by Bako and Akoon-Purcell steal. UNICS closes out the regular season with win.
X-factor
The big men duel – Bako and Reynolds vs Jekiri and Jean-Charles – was key. Although the Moscow team front court played a good game overall, becoming CSKA’s best scoring players, Bako and Reynolds duo dominated in the paint. Both centers made double-doubles, helped UNICS win rebounds (40-27) and made crucial plays in the end.
Facts
UNICS was able to beat CSKA for the first time this season.
The Moscow team played 500th game in the United League.
CSKA has won only twice this season in games where the team scored less than 80 points. The first such matchup was between the same teams at the start of the season, where the Moscow team showed great defense and allowed UNICS to score only 55 points.
Leaders
UNICS: Marcos Knight (19 + 6 assists), Jalen Reynolds (16 + 10 rebounds), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (16 + 6 assists + 4 steals), Ismael Bako (14 + 13 rebounds), Artem Komolov (10).
CSKA: Tonye Jekiri (17), Livio Jean-Charles (16), Anton Astapkovich (11), Melo Trimble (5 + 9 assists).
What’s next
UNICS: April 23 at home against Avtodor
CSKA: April 23 at home versus the Play-In Game 1 winner.
