UNICS Kazan asserted their dominance on Sunday, claiming a decisive victory over Pari Nizhny Novgorod with a score of 102-66 during the VTB United League matchup held at the Basket-Hall UNICS. The Kazan team showcased their prowess, displaying both offensive and defensive skills, leading them to their 14th win of the season.
The matchup began unexpectedly for UNICS, as Pari Nizhny Novgorod made the first moves, scoring seven points straight to take the early lead. This initial shock seemed to bolster UNICS, who quickly regrouped and concluded the opening quarter with a slight edge, leading 23-22.
Things began to shift significant emphasis for UNICS during the second quarter, where they began to pull away. Markos Knight emerged as the game’s standout player, contributing 18 points by halftime, helping to extend the lead to double digits. Notably, Andrey Lopatins made his mark by sinking three consecutive three-pointers, pleasing the home crowd as the team built a sizable advantage.
After returning from halftime, UNICS continued to control the pace of the game, holding onto approximately a 20-point cushion eluding any comeback attempts from their rivals. The game’s defense, characterized by significant pressure and quick transition plays, allowed them to approach the milestone of 100 points by the fourth quarter.
Markos Knight not only led his team with 29 points, achieving his personal best since joining UNICS earlier this year, but also grabbed six rebounds. Lopatins finished impressively with 15 points along with three assists, contributing to the team’s scoring attack.
This victory propelled UNICS up to third place in the league table, displacing Lokomotiv Kuban, which has struggled lately with consecutive losses against Samara and Parma. By winning this match, UNICS confirmed their solid standing, boasting 14 wins against just five losses this season.
Speaking after the match, UNICS's head coach Velimir Perasovic praised his team's performance, stating, "We showed great defense from the start, even though the opponent was scoring. We managed to maintain the score gap effectively throughout the game.” His comments emphasized the importance of strong defensive tactics along with the effectiveness of their offensive strategies to secure the win.
On the contrary, Sergey Kozin, head coach of Pari Nizhny Novgorod, acknowledged the deserved victory of UNICS, reflecting, "They taught us how aggressively to play defense if you want to achieve results. We were not ready at the start, and mistakes early on cost us the game.” His admission highlighted the challenges faced by his team, particularly when rising to compete against such strong opponents. He emphasized the need for improved readiness and execution of tactical plays moving forward.
Both teams have pivotal matches coming up; UNICS is set to face Zenit St. Petersburg away on December 18 at 19:30, with high expectations riding on their current momentum. Meanwhile, Pari Nizhny Novgorod will host Enisey on the same day, seeking to bounce back from this setback and maintain their competitive standing.
Overall, UNICS demonstrated their capabilities not just to win, but to overwhelm their opponents—signaling their intent to challenge for the top positions within the league as the season progresses.
