In that game Loko had win-or-die situation, because UNICS had a 3-2 lead in the series. 5,000 fans filled the arena to cheer the Krasnodar team up – and to witness a decent basketball fight.
The game began with a good shot by Jaylen Barford, who later added 3 points – but in between there was a Patrick Miller’s well-aimed mid-ranger. UNICS hit back good. So, despite DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell’s and Vladislav Yemchenko’s three-pointers, there was 19:19 on the scoreboard seconds before the first break. And yet, Andrei Martyuk’s good work in the paint allowed the “red-greens” to finish the quarter in their favor – 21:19.
The next 2 minutes became a benefit for Akoon-Purcell, who quickly brought his team 7 points and increased the hosts’ advantage to “plus 6” (28:22). Dmitry Uzinsky grabbed several offensive – after another one of them Maurice Ndour brought the gap to double digits (38:27). The end of the first half was capped by Barford’s three-pointer – 49:36!
It was clear that after the long break the guests would try to intensify their offensive game. But Loko managed to neutralise of the most dangerous UNICS attacking option – Jalen Reynolds could only score 3 points.
And Lokomotiv gained momentum with every minute: Yemchenko’s three-pointer increased the lead to 20 points (64:44). Unstoppable Akoon-Purcell seemed to score from every point on the court. Third quarter was also closed by Loko’s 3-pointer – by Yemchenko, who has also completed his 300th in the career several seconds ago!
In the final period, the hosts simply had to confidently follow the coaching plan – and they completed this task well. Every Loko player managed to score, and the Krasnodar team confidently moved towards a victory – 98:68.
Everything will be decided in the 7th game of the semi-final series. It will happen on May 22, 7 PM, on the floor of the Kazan Basket Hall. This will be a hot battle!