Game Of The Week: Battle On The Volga

UNICS Kazan hosts Avtodor Saratov in the Game of the Week.

Who:
UNICS, 2014-15 VTB United League quarterfinalists, 2014-15 Eurocup semifinalists
vs.
Avtodor, 2014-15 VTB United League quarterfinalists

Where:
Basket Hall (7,000 capacity), Kazan, Russia

When:
October 25, 2015, 6:00 PM (6:00 PM MSK)

TV:
NTV+, VTB-League.com

Face to Face
Avtodor and UNICS met for the first time in the VTB United League last October. Saratov nearly pulled off the upset on the road, leading 75-68 with two and a half minutes left, before a 10-0 run helped UNICS to an 81-78 victory. In January, the two teams met again with Avtodor racing to an 87-69 victory at home.

Looking Back

Intrigue
UNICS suffered a shock in Week 1, losing to Tsmoki-Minsk at home, before knocking off Nymburk and Astana and winning twice in the Eurocup. Another win on Sunday would extend UNICS's winning streak to five and further prove that the loss to Tsmoki-Minsk was a fluke.

Avtodor nearly toppled Khimki on the road in Week One, then defeated Nizhny Novgorod and Kalev. Last week, Saratov dropped a close game at home to Lokomotiv-Kuban, but optimism remains high. Like last season, Avtodor pushes the pace on offense and poses a threat to any opponent.

Coming off road wins in the Eurocup over Banvit and Besiktas, UNICS and Avtodor meet in the Volga derby. Kazan wants to extend its winning streak, while Saratov looks to remain above .500.

Question
The Keith Langford factor.

Langford scored 29 points against Astana, shooting 60% from the field, to go with 12 assists and the league's 13th-best efficiency rating ever. Against Banvit, he dropped 23, knocking down nine of 10 shots from inside the arc. If the Week Four MVP keeps playing at the same level, UNICS will be tough to stop.

Duel
Valery Likhodei (UNICS) vs. Travis Peterson (Avtodor).

Inserted into the starting lineup to start the season, Likhodei has been terrific, averaging 14.0 points and shooting 57.1% from downtown. Peterson is also dangerous from downtown, but has only connected on 23% of his perimeter attempts. He's going to get hot sooner or later, perhaps on Sunday. The matchup between stretch 4's could be a major factor in this game.

Quotes
UNICS head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
- We expect a very tough game against a stubborn opponent. Avtodor has an athletic roster and individually talented players. Saratov newcomers Malcolm Armstead and Jeffrey Brooks, as well as Jeremy Chappell, Travis Peterson and Artem Klimenko are key players for Avtodor. They play up-tempo basketball and move well on the court. In order to win, we need to neutralize their leaders, play smart defense against the halfcourt and slow down their transition offense.

Avtodor head coach Brad Greenberg:
- UNICS is well coached and everyone on the roster can score. It's not easy to defend against Kazan's pick-and-rolls. Their backcourt players do a great job handling the ball and can kick it out to the perimeter at any time for a three-point shot. We must play smart defense and score easy fastbreak points whenever possible.

Prediction
- The Volga Derby should be exciting, - says 1982 world champion Stanislav Eremin and former UNICS coach. - Avtodor plays alive, attacking basketball. It's too bad that Saratov lost its most recent game aginst Loko. It might have hurt their confidence. UNICS, at the same time, won fairly easily on the road against Astana. It's clear that Pashutin's men are still finding their rhythm on the court. Of course, Kazan has better rebounders than Avtodor and a deeper roster. But I'd note that Artsiom Parakhouski doesn't appear to be playing at the same high level that he did last season in the VTB United League.

UNICS will have an advantage, but in order to win, Kazan will need to defend well against Avtodor's explosive offense.