UNICS beat Zenit at home – 59:58 (18:22, 13:15, 10:9, 18:12).
Top scorers
UNICS: Jordan Morgan (18+12 rebounds), Isaiah Canaan (12)
Zenit: Mateusz Ponitka (17+6 rebounds), Arturas Gudaitis (15), K.C. Rivers (11+5 rebounds)
Story
In December game UNICS were dominating on the start leading 19 points but in the second half lost the lead and the game. This game started almost the same way. In first 1,5 minutes Isaiah Canaan hit 2 unanswered threes, and by the middle of the quarter UNICS were up by 9.
💣 @SiP03 starts the game against Zenit with 3 threes! pic.twitter.com/DQ1mAEtkBT
— VTB League (@VTBUL) February 10, 2021
However, foreign Zenit duo Mateusz Ponitka and Arturas Gudaitis managed to even the game. By the end of the quarter this duo that scored 16 of 22 team points put Zenit up ahead.
❌ @the_common_name with the BLOCK pic.twitter.com/tMrDXhk82U
— VTB League (@VTBUL) February 10, 2021
The second quarter wasn’t high-scoring. Both teams were better at defense. However, the guests not only kept the lead but increased it a little. Anyway, Canaan brought the lead back to Kazan – 27:25. But Andrei Zubkov and K.C. Rivers helped Zenit go on a half time break as leaders via threes – 37:31.
UNICS hit only 1 three in a whole quarter, Zenit were more accurate from the downtown, it was crucial in such slow positioning game. In the third quarter both teams scored only 19 points. 46:41 in Zenit favor.
Key moment
In the beginning of the fourth UNICS started to punish Zenit for mistakes making it simple in the offense, deliver the ball to paint where Jordan Morgan scores. This scheme worked, it was Morgan who evened the game with few time left in the regulation. When there were 15 seconds on the shotclock Arturas Gudaitis hit only 1 of 2 free throws. 58:57. Kazan have an opportunity to decide the game in last possession.
Jamar Smith took the responsibility: UNICS captain scored 2 from 13 from the field in this game but wasn’t afraid to attempt tough contested shot and he hit it. Last three on the last second by Billy Baron was a miss.
Hero
Jordan Morgan. When Kazan shooters were struggling Morgan took the initiative. The American big collected impressive double double, 18 points and 12 rebounds against bigger Gudaitis.
Stat
117 – points scored combined by 2 season leaders. It is the most low-scoring game of the season.
Comments
UNICS head coach Dimitrios Priftis:
– It was a tough game. Congratulations to my team on the victory. We showed perfect defense. Tight defense openes the doors. I want to thank some Russian players in particular: Sergeev, Zhbanov, Uzinsky, the changed the mood of the game. We are happy to take 12th win since January 3. It is quite an achievement.
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual:
– Congratulations to UNICS on the victory. I think tonight both teams played worse in offense then usually. We made lots of mistakes, unnecessary turnovers. In the second half we weren’t controlling the rebounds that was crucial. In the end we didn’t hit key free throws and Jamar Smith answered with a game-winner. It is what it is.
Next
UNICS: February 27 vs Nizhny Novgorod
Zenit: February 13 @ CSKA
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