Unics Kazan - CSKA Moscow predictions and free betting tips [05/06/2024]

Today, in the 5th match of the VTB United League finals in Kazan, UNICS will face CSKA with the series standing at 3-1 in favour of the Army Men.

UNICS

In the fourth match of the VTB United League finals, UNICS secured a crucial away win, denying CSKA the opportunity to complete a sweep. UNICS used a limited rotation; the trio from the bench consisting of Kulagin, Zaitsev, and Laberi shone, scoring 34 points, while the starting five with Vorontsevich and Belenitsky remained unchanged. A reduced rotation allowed the team to play more cohesively, resulting in a 96-80 victory for the Kazan side. This first win for UNICS in the finals was made possible thanks to their effectiveness in three-pointers, hitting 13 out of 22 attempts.

After overcoming the initial shock of losing three consecutive matches, UNICS was able to get their offence back on track, making 8 more assists than CSKA in the winning game. The superiority of the Kazan team became evident after their impressive journey to the finals, which included a tough series against Lokomotiv-Kuban. A significant contribution to the victory was made by leader Nenad Dimitrijevic, who scored 27 points with 9 assists, being a crucial factor in this encounter. The representative of North Macedonia started the game with a few turnovers but then took control. The best performer off the bench was Zaitsev with 13 points.

CSKA

CSKA Moscow finished the regular season of the VTB United League in third place, and in the playoffs, they successfully defeated Enisey Krasnoyarsk and Zenit St Petersburg. However, in the finals series, after three confident wins, Andreas Pistiolis' team suffered a predictable defeat in the fourth match, losing at home by 16 points. CSKA had dominated the first three finals matches, but the last game exposed vulnerabilities in the team’s play. In the fourth game of the finals, CSKA couldn't maintain their superiority, losing all quarters except the second.

In this match, the team's leaders, including Melo Trimble who scored 16 points, failed to perform at the necessary level, which particularly impacted the number of assists and the fight for rebounds. Head coach Pistiolis expressed his dissatisfaction with his players' lack of aggression and numerous mistakes, highlighting the need for a mental reset for the team.

Head-to-Head

In the first match on 26 May, CSKA narrowly defeated UNICS 96-95. The second game on 28 May also ended with a victory for the Moscow team with a score of 94-83. In the third match on 31 May, CSKA clinched the game 80-72. UNICS' victory has kept the series alive, but CSKA holds a considerable advantage.

Match Prediction: UNICS vs CSKA

All the finals series encounters have been fast-paced, such an exhilarating basketball style is clearly enjoyed by everyone. Ball possession rarely exceeded the 20-second limit, with many three-pointers evident. Despite their defeat in the last game, CSKA remains the favourite in the series. In the 5th match, the Army Men will rely on quick counter-attacks led by explosive players like Jean-Charles and M’Baye. Picking a favourite is challenging; I expect UNICS to continue their active attacking play and predict a total score over 167.5 points in the match.