KTP Kotka Basket at Korihait
UUSIKAUPUNKI, Finland (Interstat) — KTP Kotka Basket will put its perfect record on the line Saturday when it visits Korihait at Pohitullin palloiluhalli in Uusikaupunki, Finland. KTP Kotka Basket enters the game 4-0, while Korihait is 1-3.
KTP has won each of its first four games. The most recent was a 102-81 victory at Salon Vilpas. Zion Styles led the way with 26 points and three rebounds in 31 minutes. Joel Mantynen finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and Mason Gillis added 21 points and five rebounds. The 102-point effort was KTP’s highest total of the young season.
Styles, the player to watch for KTP, has produced throughout the early season. He had 19 points, five rebounds and two assists in a win over Pyrinto Tampere. He scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in a win at Karhu Basket. He also had nine points, two rebounds and one assist in a win over Bisons Loimaa. In the Salon Vilpas win, Styles matched his season high with 26 points.
KTP’s other victories this season came against Tampereen, at Karhu Basket and against Bisons Loimaa. The visiting team has scored 87, 84, 88 and 102 points in its four games. KTP will face a Korihait team that is seeking consistency after a 1-3 start.
Korihait’s player to watch is Devin Tillis. Tillis had 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the team’s most recent game, a loss at Salon Vilpas. He posted eight points, five rebounds and three assists at Kipina. Earlier, he had 21 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one block against Tampereen. Garry Clark added 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and one block in the Salon Vilpas game, while Thomas Murr had 16 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Korihait’s lone win came at home against Helsinki. The team has also dropped road and home games this season. The 89 points against Tampereen were Korihait’s highest total this season. The home side will look to Tillis and Clark to counter KTP’s balanced attack. Korihait has scored 89, 85, 88 and 73 points this season.
The game is set for Saturday at Pohitullin palloiluhalli. KTP Kotka Basket will aim to remain unbeaten, while Korihait will try to even its form on its home floor.
Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Korihait 89, KTP Kotka Basket 81. KTP Kotka Basket has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -4.5. The over/under for the game is 171.5.