Zenit will host UNICS in the Gam eof the Week on Thursday.
Place: Russia, Moscow, St. Petersburg
Time: February 13, 2025, 20:00 (Moscow time)
Broadcast: Match TV, TV Start, League website
Rivalry
The last Game of the Week before the All-Star break will be between Zenit and UNICS. The two top teams played 6 times last year, including the SuperCup, with the Kazan team leading in season head-to-head score – 4-2.
The opponents have already faced each other 3 times in the regular season – UNICS is ahead again.
The first game in September ended with Zenit win in Kazan (87:84). The second game on December 18 followed a mirror scenario and resulted in a the Kazan team revenge (79:76).
Last clash
On January 5, UNICS’ defense held off one of the best offense in the VTB League, allowing the St. Petersburg team to score exactly the same amount as UNICS’ season average (71.0 points). The Kazan team defense was especially effective against Dwayne Bacon: Zenit most dangerous scorer took only 4 of 21 field-goal shots.
The Kazan team snatched win in another tense game (75:71), defeating a Top-4 opponent at home for the first time in the regular season.
Motivation
UNICS (27-5), CSKA (26-5) and Zenit (26-5) are all in an active battle for first place in the regular season. The Moscow team will host Astana at home on February 13 with the clear intention of picking up the 27th win, so a loss of points in the Game of the Week would push one of the rivals back.
Thursday will break one of longest active winning streaks of the season. The St. Petersburg team has 7 games won. UNICS helds club’s record 16-game winning streak! The League record belongs to CSKA (24 consecutive wins).
Concerns
UNICS head coach Velimir Perasovic said after the win over Avtodor on his 60th birthday that the Kazan team rotation difficulties could be a significant factor in the upcoming rivalry.
– My team always plays with desire and wants to win. Unfortunately, we’re not in the best shape right now because we have 4 injured players. Soon we will have a very important game against Zenit. Of course, with the lineup we have at the moment, it will be very difficult for us in St. Petersburg.
Shved
Zenit star newcomer had his first double-digit scoring performance against PARMA with 15 points.
Alexey promises to play even stronger in the future:
– It’s not even close to my optimal shape yet. I need about 3 more games, then I’ll train with Zenit during the break for the national team, and then I’ll be back in different shape!
Return
Okaro White will play for the first time in the St. Petersburg team jersey against UNICS. The American forward is preparing to play his 3rd game for Zenit after recently joining the team. He played 26 games for the Kazan team in the 2020/21 season.
Duel
Vince Hunter vs. Jalen Reynolds
The best defensive players in the League, Hunter will try to stop arguably the most dominant player in the League Reynolds. It’s going to be very hot on Thursday!
Numbers
This will be the 45th game between the teams in the VTB League. UNICS is ahead 24-20.
UNICS leads the League in assists with 20.8 per game.
The Kazan team allows turnovers less often than other teams – 11.3 per game. Zenit is also quite good in this (11.4)
