UNICS outplayed Nizhny Novgorod at home – 89:85 (19:28, 23:12, 18:20, 29:25)
Top scorers
UNICS: Raymar Morgan (30+11 rebounds), Errick McCollum (20), Jamar Smith (20+5 rebounds), Alex Tyus (14+10 rebounds)
Nizhny Novgorod: Chavaughn Lewis (21+6 assists), Alec Brown (18+8 rebounds), Pavel Antipov (14), Anton Astapkovich (12+5 rebounds)
Story
UNICS started with a solid run 9:0. However, Nizhny responded with 13:4 to get the lead. Later on, long range shots by Brandon Brown, Anton Astapkovich and Chavaughn Lewis finished the first quarter to Nizhny’s favor – 28:19.
Dimitris Priftis adjusted the tactis and UNICS’ second quarter was almost perfect from defensive point of view. Nizhny scored only 12 as the home team got 23 getting the lead by the big break 42:40. The third quarter was intense as well and none of the teams could run away. Teams were equal before the final quarter – 60:60.
💣 @AlexTyus23 колотит сверху в домашнем Баскет-Холле!
💣Alex Tyus SLAMS at home! pic.twitter.com/0mgpfpnJkK
— VTB United League (@VTBUL) November 10, 2019
Key moment
With 80:78 on the scoreboard and 90 seconds to the end of the regulation UNICS broke the rivals’ tight D and Raymar Morgan got the ball in the paint. The center scored “and one” to make it 83:78. Pavel Antipov revived Nizhny’s hopes with a three-pointer, but Errick McCollum with four perfect free throws in a row killed them. Chavaughn Lewis scored at 87:81, but it made no difference as the guest had no time. UNICS win and level win-loss record (3-3)
Hero
Raymar Morgan. The center set his PPG recod (30), made a double-double (with 7 offensive rebounds of 11 in total), and converted the decisive “and one”.
Stat
41:29. UNICS’ supremacy in rebounds was a key factor. Kazan scored 22 second chance points (only 12 by Nizhny).
Comment
Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
Today we didn’t have our heads high. Unfortunately we lost the key episodes. We were striving as much as we could, but our rotation didn’t allow much. Unfortunately, we could allow 5 points in 30 seconds within one substitution. Obviously you can’t have these players on court. We looked fatigued.
UNICS head coach Dimitris Priftis:
That’s an important win. It’s always an enternatining challenge to play Nizhny. Transition was our main problem today as we allowed many points in fast breaks. Our main trouble is stability which we’re building step by step.
What’s next
UNICS: November 16 at PARMA
Nizhny Novgorod: November 16 vs Zielona Gora
Photo
