Russian VTB United Leage Zenit Petersburg vs Unics Kazan Game 1 Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 06-10-2018, 09:00 EDT

Spread: Unics Kazan -5.5

Total: +169

In Game 1 of the Russian VTB United League 3^rd place Finals, the second-seeded Unics Kazan (22-2), after being eliminating by Khimki in the semifinals with a 71-76 score, are hosting the fourth-seeded Zenit Petersburg (16-8), who were eliminated by CSKA Moscow in the other semifinal with an 84-67 score. The game takes place at the Basket Hall Arena in the city of Kazan on Sunday, June 10^th 2018.

Unics Kazan finished the regular season with a 22-2 record and were placed second in the league. In their last game they saw a two-game winning streak getting snapped by losing at home against Khimki with a 71-76 score. They are led in scoring by Jamar Smith with 14.4 ppg, followed by Stephane Lasme with 13 ppg, adding team highs in rebounds with 6.1 and in blocked shots with 1.6 per game. Quim Colom follows with 12.8 ppg and a team-best 6.1 assists per game.

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Zenit finished the regular season with a 16-8 record and were placed fourth in the league. In their last game they saw a four-game winning streak getting snapped by losing at home against CSKA Moscow with an 84-67 score. They are led in scoring by Kyle Kuric with 16 ppg, adding 3.5 rebounds per game. He is followed by Sergey Karasev with 14.7 ppg and 3.7 rebounds per game, while Drew Gordon adds 11.1 ppg and a team high 6.7 rebounds per game.

Unics Kazan have won both meetings against Zenit in the regular season (at home by 34 points and on the road by 17). Unics have a 12-2 home record, while Zenit are 9-5 on the road. Unics are better offensively, scoring a third-best of 86.2 ppg to Zenit’s 85, and they also have the second-best defense in the league, allowing 76.9 ppg to Zenit’s 84.4. They also have better percentages both in field goals, shooting with a second-best of 49.1% to Zenit’s 45.6% and in 3-pointers, shooting with a second-best of 40.4% to Zenit’s 34.2%. Both teams are almost equal in every other statistical category, including rebounding (31.2 to 30.9), assists made (19.3 to 19.2) and turnovers committed (11.9 to 12). Unics are extremely strong at home and have won both times against Zenit this season, so expect them to get away with the victory once again.

Zenit Petersburg vs Unics Kazan Game 1 Prediction: Unics Kazan -5.5 (-112)