MBA will host UNICS. Preview January 23

MBA will host UNICS. Preview January 23

Moscow will host a regular season game on Tuesday.

MBA (Moscow) vs UNICS (Kazan)

Time: 19:30 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Moscow, Basket Hall
Broadcast: Match! Igra, TV Start, League website

MBA: Vasily Karasev team’s winning streak had ended in Astana. The Moscow team faced problems in offense again. During the last 6 minutes of the game versus Astana, MBA players never made any shot from the game. The team has games against 2 League leaders ahead, and it will be extremely difficult to win without offense. But MBA definitely has a chance – in the first-round game, the team managed to pull UNICS into the ending through outstanding ball movement and three-point shooting. The Moscow team is better in assists (24 vs. 11) and made 42% of long-range shots.

UNICS: The Kazan team outscored Zenit 8-0 in the final quarter to rehabilitate after 2 straight losses. So UNICS returned to second place in the standings and are unlikely to lose the current spot before the end of the first stage. In order to stay in the Top 2, the reigning champion need only not lose more than a game out of the remaining 3. In the first round, Velimir Perasovic team took the lead over MBA with aggressive defense and dominance in the paint. UNICS forced 15 turnovers and made 62% shots from the game. If UNICS maintains the same level of shooting, the team can extend winning streak against the unstable Moscow team.