Joel Freeland (shoulder) and Nikita Kurbanov (face) remain out after surgeries. Cory Higgins who missed the semifinal series vs Khimki started practicing, he will be game-time decision for coaching and medical staffs.
“We have the final series in front of us, and we will approach it with proper concentration, motivation and desire,“ CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis said. ”We faced UNICS in the regular season, but we expect the playoff games to be different. Kazan side played well during the season and they deserved to be in the Finals. We need our fans to come and support us in the last games of the season, I know that they understand how important is their support for us.”
Past matchups
Wins-losses: 67-16
CSKA biggest margin of victory: 102-54 (+48) (1997-98 Russian Championship. Quarterfinal)
UNICS biggest margin of victory: 113-77 (-36) (2000-01 Russian Superleague. Regular season. 2nd stage)
Last game at USH CSKA: 81-70 (+11) (16.11.2015. VTB United League. Regular Season)
Last game at Basket Hall: 89-100 (+11) (06.03.2016. VTB United League. Regular Season)
Short dossier
UNICS Kazan
Founded: 1991
Color: green, black, white
Home court: Basket Hall (7,500)
President: Evgeny Bogachev
Head coach: Evgeny Pashutin
Website: www.unics.ru
Trophy case:
- EuroCup winner (2011),
- FIBA Europe League winner (2004),
- 4-time Russian League runner-up (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007),
- 6-time Russian League bronze winner (2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011),
- NEBL champion (2003),
- 3-time Russian Cup winner (2003, 2009, 2014),
- 3-Russian Cup runner-up (2005, 2007, 2010),
- 2-time VTB United League runner-up (2010, 2012)
