By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
On Day 12 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, Unicaja Malaga managed to defeat Khimki Moscow Region 93-84 at home and improved its record to 4-8 while the visitors slipped to 7-5.
The final minutes: With four minutes on the clock, Unicaja went on a 6-0 run to regain the lead (81-78) and seemed to have the upper hand in the game with the crowd on its back. With Augustine’s three-pointer, the home team increased its lead to eight points (86-78). In the last 1:30, Malaga’s team increased its lead to double-digits (88-78), with Diez making some tough plays. The game finally ended 93-84.
The star(s): Nemanja Nedovic finished with 21 points and seven assists, while James Augustine added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Daniel Diez finished with 9 points coming up big down the stretch.
The game: The contest started with both teams challenging its other, making long-range shots and showcasing their offensive weapons. After just five minutes of play, the game was tied (15-15). The first quarter ended 27-26 with Nedovic (7 points in 1Q) and Anderson (9 points in 1Q) going at it. With Alexey Shved heating up in the second quarter (17 points in 2Q), Khimki remained in pursuit of the game. In the first twenty minutes, Khimki’s team shot 9/18 from beyond the arc, while Plaza’s team had 14 assists. The second quarter finally ended 47-48.
In the second half, both teams improved their defense, the game became more physical and intense with both teams wanting this victory. In the third quarter, no team managed to take a big lead that could give an advantage to the game remained close. The third quarter ended a one-point game (67-66) with both teams going back and forth.
With an 8-2 early run in the final period, Malaga went up ahead by six points (75-68). Khimki, however, responded with some long-range shooting, a 0-11 run of its own and went up ahead by two points (75-78). With Nedovic and Deiz leading the way Unicaja got an important victory at home.
The key: Unicaja’s fourth quarter and the team’s intensity in the final five minutes of the game was what got Plaza’s team the win.
Not enough: For Khimki, Alexey Shved finished with 28 points but he shot 5/17 from the three-point line.