These games hinge on how each side responds after the first scoring action. Sono and LG bring different ways to create another shot, with the interior battle feeding the outside game. In Utsunomiya, Kawasaki's frontcourt makes rebounding and ball pressure central to the margin.
LG can work through Marei in the paint, then find Yang or Yoo when Sono sends help. Sono has Lee Jung-hyun and Jae-do to start possessions, with O'Bryant, Quiambao and James offering more scoring after LG's first stop. Those Sono players all featured in the last game; Yoo also returned for substantial minutes in LG's latest outing. The middle quarters should bring repeated attacks on both defenses, so I'm backing a lively scoring game in Goyang.
Utsunomiya has Fotu inside and Kell to reclaim a lead after a difficult stretch. Kawasaki can answer through Yonesu's handling and the LeDee, Kirk and Bonds frontcourt, whose offensive boards keep possessions alive. That group has played recently, and its road performances show a route to stay with the home side through the final quarter. I'm siding with Brave Thunders to keep this close.
