By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
Khimki Moscow was leading most of the game thanks to Alexey Shved’s huge performance but Unics Kazan bounced back with a furious fourth quarter on their way to a 96-91 home win and the 1-0 lead in the VTB League playoffs.
Shved made a triple for Khimki to cut the gap (92-91) with ten seconds to go but Stefan Markovic was called for an unsportsmanlike foul in which meant four free throws for Unics since Khimki had to foul again. The hosts used all four and secured the game.
Raymar Morgan scored 22 points for the winning team followed by Errick McCollum‘s 21 in addition to Anton Ponkrashov’s 15 points.
For Khimki, Shved nailed game-high 36 points while Janis Timma helped with 23 and Jordan Mickey with ten points.
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for May 24 as Unics tries to stay unscathed in front of their home crowd.
Photo Credit: VTB United League