Everything KT does on offence goes through Paris Bass right now, and that plays straight into LG's hands. LG is a set, organised defence that can crowd one scorer as long as nobody else hurts them. KT doesn't have that second threat at the moment. So I expect LG to pull clear rather than scrape through.
Look at KT's opener against Samsung. Bass had 35 points and shot 14 of 21 on twos, and KT still lost 76-81 at home. Everyone else shot 35% from the field and 22% from three. That's exactly what LG wants to see.
The injury news makes it worse. KT's coach said before the opener that Kim Sun-hyung had peritonitis surgery, not a simple appendix operation, and probably won't be back before December. Moon Sung-gon, their best wing defender, is out until mid-to-late season. Ha Yoon-ki is at about 50%. KT has now lost five in a row across the cup, preseason and the opener, and gave up 114 to Sono along the way.
LG's 35-point win at KCC wasn't a hot shooting night either. They made 28 of 44 twos, had 27 assists and only 8 turnovers, and hit 11 of 27 from three, which is nothing unusual. Marei ran the offence from the post with 14 rebounds and 8 assists. LG also had 10 fast breaks, and missed shots from KT are just what feeds that running game.
Last season LG won five of six against KT, four of them by 12 or more, and that KT team was healthier. This LG side has added scoring with Goodwin and Yang Hong-seok, while KT has lost pieces. LG also comes in with an extra day of rest. Once the margin opens up in the middle quarters, I don't see KT's thin rotation closing it in the fourth.
