The opening game of the VTB United League finals left no room for drama as CSKA Moscow took full control on their home floor and built a 15-point cushion before half time. By the time the third quarter wrapped up the lead had ballooned to 26 points, ending in a comfortable 91-63 victory. Looking ahead, the second clash promises a tougher battle, yet the army side still hold the upper hand and should keep their noses in front once more.
Team Form
CSKA have looked sharp since the playoffs tipped off, bouncing back from a single overtime loss to Lokomotiv Kuban with four straight wins, each by double digits. UNICS on the other hand needed seven games to get past Zenit St Petersburg and only sealed the deal thanks to home advantage in the decider. The Kazan side have shown resilience but face a much sterner test away from their own arena.
- CSKA won their last four outings by at least ten points
- UNICS lost nine straight games in Moscow across all competitions
- Both teams rested key players during the regular season run in
Tactical Analysis
Expect UNICS to come out with more fight and try to slow the tempo early, using physical defence to frustrate CSKA shooters. However the army club boast superior depth and can switch to a faster pace whenever they choose, stretching the visitors with quick transitions and sharp three point shooting. Home support in Moscow should also play a big role in keeping the energy high throughout the forty minutes.
Key match ups will centre around the paint where CSKA big men can dominate the boards and create second chance opportunities. UNICS will need their guards to hit from deep and force turnovers if they hope to stay within touching distance.
Betting Proposal
Given the pattern of recent meetings and the way CSKA handled game one, backing the hosts to cover a solid margin looks the smart play. The army boys are simply too strong at home and should pull away in the second half once again.
CSKA to win by 12 points or more at odds of 1.90
