Zenit beat UNICS at home – 91:87 (27:24, 21:22, 18:19, 25:22).
Game progress
For both teams, the game had the great importance – UNICS continues to fight for the regular season title, while Zenit would have a chance to get closer to CSKA in case of win. The first half was equal with no clear advantage. Nenad Dimitrijevic and Erick Green interrupted the hosts attempt to make a big lead. Shortly before the halftime, Thomas Heurtel helped the hosts to make a double-digit lead – 45:35. However, Dimitrijevic kept pace in the playmaker duel – his stretch allowed UNICS to finish the first half with only a 2-point deficit.
At the start of the third quarter, Mikhail Belenitskii 4 straight points and Dimitrijevic three-pointer forced Xavi Pascual to take a timeout – 57:51. The pause helped Zenit, as Kyle Kuric gave his team back the lead at the start of the last quarter – 66:65.
Key moment
By the middle of the fourth quarter, the difference was minimal – 80:78. And then Heurtel scored a layup, made three-pointer and steal. The difference was already decent with 2 minutes left – 87:78. Green made one last attempt to change the game, but UNICS was only able do get within 4 points. Zenit is escalating the intrigue in the last regular-season games to the extreme.
X-factor
One of the highlights of the game was the guards duel. The more experienced Heurtel won the rivalry: although Nenad Dimitrijevic had brilliant first half (19 points out of team’s 24), the Kazan team guard slowed down after the halftime, while the Heurtel saved his crucial shots for the end.
Fact
Jalen Reynolds scored his 1,500th point in the VTB League. Kyle Kuric and Tomas Heurtel both reached 900 points.
Xavi Pascual got his 100th win in the VTB League.
Leaders
Zenit: Thomas Heurtel (23), Trent Frazier (18), Vince Hunter (17), Kyle Kuric (15).
UNICS: Nenad Dimitrijevic (24 + 5 rebounds + 7 assists), Jalen Reynolds (20), Ismael Bako (13 + 9 rebounds + 5 assists), Erick Green (12), Mikhail Belenitskii (10).
What’s next
Zenit (24-10): April 9 on the road versus Lokomotiv Kuban
UNICS (25-10): April 13 at home against CSKA.
