Preview: Astana vs. UNICS

December Action Kicks Off

December is here, and the VTB United League regular season is in full swing. «Astana» has a packed schedule with six games this month, three at home. Next, on December 4, we host UNICS Kazan, currently sitting fourth in the league standings (11-5), at the Saryarka Velodrome. Here’s what to expect from the match.

A Top-4 Contender

This season, Velimir Perasovic’s team has delivered an impressive performance overall. However, they've faced challenges against the league's top contenders, falling short against CSKA (71:55, 73:80), Zenit (84:87), and splitting results with Lokomotiv-Kuban (78:71, 75:87). The absence of their former leader, Nenad Dimitrijevic, has been notably felt. Newcomer Tony Taylor from Turkey’s «Bahcesehir» has made a strong impression with solid stats (10.9 points, 4.9 assists), but it’s still too early to label him as the team’s central figure.

Marcos Knight (15.2 points), DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (15.1 points), and Jalen Reynolds (13.3 points) are leading the way for UNICS. Belgian center Ismael Bako has been a standout, boasting a league-best 68% two-point shooting percentage. Meanwhile, young Russian talents Mikhail Belinitsky (23 minutes per game) and Andrey Lopatin (17 minutes) are making an impact, recently contributing to their national team’s victories in the Friendship Cup against Libya (108:60) and Tunisia (83:73 OT).

Head-to-Head History

«Astana» and UNICS have faced off 24 times, with the Kazan side winning 22 of those games. «Astana» has claimed two victories, with the most recent clash earlier this season on October 15 ending in a 97:81 win for UNICS.

Why You Should Watch This Game

UNICS isn’t just the 2023 VTB United League Champion; they’re also two-time bronze medalists in the VTB Supercup (2021, 2022). Their reputation in both Russian and European basketball makes any matchup against them a valuable learning opportunity for «Astana» and an exciting spectacle for fans, packed with highlight-worthy moments.

On top of that, «Astana» is showcasing its up-and-coming talent. We’ve already seen the VTB United League debuts of Alexander Orazbekov, Vladislav Isaenko, and Magzhan Sarsengaliyev. The spotlight now shifts to Sardal Abashidze, who was listed on the roster for the previous game but didn’t make it onto the court. Will the young player get his chance to debut this time?

Building Momentum in the National League

There’s been good news for Kazakhstani fans too! In the National League, «Astana» had two wins against «Ertis» (66:89, 71:62). Key contributions from Andrey Desyatnikov and Rustam Murzagaliev played a big role in those victories.

Comments

Gleb Plotnikov, Acting Head Coach of «Astana»:

«UNICS is a top contender for the Belov Cup and hardly needs an introduction. Our focus is on executing the game plan, showing resilience, and playing with determination.

As for the players who competed in Pavlodar, we hope those games provided a confidence boost. Isaenko showed good work during practice while the national team players were away, staying on track with our tactical plan. This is why we’ve decided to include him in the starting lineup for this game.»

Daniel Utomi, Forward for «Astana»:

«We’re expecting a tough challenge. UNICS is a strong opponent, so we need to step onto the court with energy and minimise our mistakes. The defence will be crucial—we’ll need to stay locked in on every player.»

Match Details:

Match: Astana vs. UNICS
Date and Time: December 4, 18:00 (MSC), 20:00 (Astana time)
Venue: Saryarka Velodrome
Broadcast: On the club’s website

Fans, you’re the sixth man on the court! Your support is more important than ever. Let’s fill the stands and bring the energy! Together, we are stronger!
Tickets available at Ticketon.kz