These games turn on what follows the first action. A disrupted carry can create a quick score at one end, while a completed rebound can open another shot at the other. The second and third quarters should reveal whether those extra possessions become useful finishes.
Kyoto's Jackson and Caloiaro can score inside, but its last observed lineup lacked its two main guards and lost possessions through turnovers. Utsunomiya has turned stops into Edwards and Fotu paint finishes, with other scorers able to add outside shots. The longer gap since Utsunomiya's last game gives it preparation time after a demanding overtime outing. I expect Kyoto's replacement carriers to face their hardest test in the middle quarters. That's why I'm siding with Utsunomiya to create a clear home margin.
Ibaraki can score through Law and Soares inside, collect useful follow-up shots and reach outside receivers when Akita helps. Akita has its own route: Smith can start possessions, and Wetzell and Chol helped it score heavily even when its threes failed. Those players' roles come from recent games; the current starters are not announced. I expect Ibaraki's varied attacks and Akita's inside response to keep producing separate scoring runs. That's why I'm siding with the teams to combine for a high-scoring game.
