Zenit defeated UNICS in the Game 3 at home – 83:71 (18-16, 17-17, 21-20, 27-18).
Game progress
Losing by 0:2 in the Seires, the St. Petersburg team needed a home win: a loss would make Zenit’s chances of advancing to the next round a minimal.
The teams made it clear from the start that they shouldn’t expect productivity. So the game started with turnovers, which set the tone for the entire first half. The importance of the game predetermined its nervous nature with plenty of mistakes and turnovers. Although Vitaliy Fridzon gave Zenit the lead in the second quarter, Xavi Pascual team was unable to get ahead as UNICS was close. By halftime, the hosts lead remained minimal – 35:33.
The game continued unchanged after the break. UNICS had several opportunities to catch up Zenit, but in the third quarter the hosts successfully held the lead. Adrien Moerman and Vince Hunter remained the teams’ key players. But one of the biggest stars of the Game 2 Jalen Reynolds was barely noticeable this time, getting a lot of missed shots and 4 turnovers in 10 minutes. By the beginning of the final quarter, Zenit led – 56:53.
Key moment
Zenit increased their pace due to Trent Frazier actions. The guard helped the hosts’ offense to wake up with 8 points in a row. Zenit had a double-digit lead (66-55), which was already huge for such a game.
From that moment on, the St. Petersburg team had the initiative. Thomas Heurtel shots didn’t allow the Kazan team to make a comeback and Frazier sealed the game, pushing Zenit’s lead to within 14 points. Zenit confidently takes the Semifinals Game 3 – the main battles are still ahead.
Key factor
In the previous game, UNICS’ defense destroyed Zenit guards – Thomas Heurtel and Trent Frazier combined for 16 points and 6 assists. In this game, the St. Petersburg team duo got 32 points and 11 assists, which was the main reason of the decisive run in the fourth quarter.
Fact
For the first time in the Semifinals, Zenit managed to score more than 80 points.
Leaders
Zenit: Thomas Heurtel (16 + 8 assists), Trent Frazier (16), Adrien Moerman (11 + 12 rebounds)
UNICS: Vince Hunter (20 + 6 rebounds), Daryl Macon (16), Nenad Dimitrijevic (11 + 7 assists), Louis Labeyrie (9 + 9 rebounds), Marcos Knight (9 + 5 assists)
Next game: April 23 in St. Petersburg
