UNICS beat Samara in the Quarterfinals Game 2 at home – 77:64 (17:17, 26:16, 17:10, 17:21).
Game progress
From the very beginning, the scenario of the Game 1 was repeated – even the score of the opening quarter was almost the same – 17:17. As in the previous game, UNICS added more momentum and aggressiveness after the first quarter. The hosts offenisve output allowed to get double-digit lead by the halfitme – 43:33.
Key moment
In the second half, UNICS continued to control the game. Louis Labeyrie and Jalen Reynolds scored 11 points in a row and increased the difference to 15 points. Although Samara won the final quarter, but was unable to break through UNICS’ perfect defense – the hosts got the confident win in.
X-factor
UNICS’ defense looked even more stable, and it was primarily on the perimeter. Samara, which ranked among the League’s Top 4 in long-range shooting percentage in the regular season, made only 1 of 15 three-pointer. It can be explained by Dmitry Kulagin return (Marcos Knight debuted in the Playoffs after a month absence).
Fact
MVP of February Dmitry Kulagin played his first game since March 3.
UNICS allowed to score 64 points and this became the best in current Playoffs so far.
Leaders
UNICS: Louis Labeyrie (14 + 6 rebounds), Nenad Dimitrijevic (11 + 8 assists), Andrei Vorontsevich (11), Jalen Reynolds (10 + 5 rebounds).
Samara: Justin Roberson (14), Hayden Dalton (12), James Thompson (11 + 9 rebounds), Mikhail Kulagin (10).
What’s next
April 28 in Samara.
