CSKA takes 1-0 lead in VTB League finals

CSKA Moscow beat UNICS in Kazan in the first game of the VTB League finals – 85:77.

The rivalry between UNICS and CSKA has become principal in Russian basketball for many years. Finals are expected to be a hard-fought, uncompromising rivalry.

The early minutes met those expectations. The opponents spent some time adjusting, after which they got into their flow. The home team, as usual, focused on long-distance shooting and the individual skills of its foreign players.

Ivan Ukhov, who had 7 points and an assist, was the unexpected hero for CSKA. But with the support of the home crowd, UNICS Kazan won the first quarter with a minimal advantage – 19:18.

However, from there on, CSKA took over and slowly built a lead that would increase by the minute. At halftime, it was 11 points (46-35) and in the third quarter, it was as much as 22 points.

UNICS Kazan fought desperately and managed to cut the lead to only 12 points, but their come-back stopped there. CSKA didn’t allow an upset and won the first game of the series with 85-77.