CSKA will face Enisey in the Quarterfinal Series.
Games schedule
Game # 1. April 22, 20:00 (Moscow time), Moscow, Basket Hall
Game # 2. April 24, 20:00 (Moscow time), Moscow, Basket Hall
Game # 3. April 27, 15:00 (Moscow time), Krasnoyarsk, Arena Sever
Game # 4. April 29, 13:00 (Moscow time), Krasnoyarsk, Arena Sever*
Game # 5. May 2, 20:00 (Moscow time), Moscow, Basket Hall*
* – if necessary.
Regular Season
CSKA: 3rd place (25 wins and 11 losses)
Enisey: 6th place (19 wins and 17 losses)
Rivalry
The teams played first game of the season in the Second Round in Moscow. The Krasnoyarsk team was in process of finding their shape, the Moscow team had an advantage. CSKA had double-digit lead already in the first half with Amath M’Baye and Live Jean-Charles help. The team held the comfortable lead, but allowed Enisey to get closer – 64:73.
In the next matchup the game was equal. The Moscow team started the game well, but the Siberian team took the initiative. In general, such shape was throughout the whole game. Teams had good stretches, but CSKA got the last word. Casper Ware actions helped to make a 6-point lead, which allowed the Moscow team to win – 80:75.
The next games were already in the Second Stage. Everything had changed there. The Moscow team was confident at the start of the third game, but there was no clear leader until 4th quarter. But that time the Siberian team had the last word. First, Beau Beech and Andrey Sonko made three-pointers, then Jeremiah Martin helped to make the lead double-digit. Martin set his season-high 28 points, Enisey got confident win – 74:65.
The fourth game started with the Siberian team initiative. The Moscow team had to chase the opponent for the whole game. CSKA had the lead only at the beginning of the game. The team tied in the middle of the game, but wasn’t able to take the lead. Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Mikael Hopkins and Jeremiah Martin had a fantastic game. They combined for 77 points and let Enisey to win – 86:81.
Why CSKA can win?
For the first time, CSKA doesn’t look like clean favourite of the Series. Nevertheless, the Moscow team had more chances to make it to the next round. The roster depth and balance will surely help the team, as coaching staff can use wide rotation of good players, comparing to Enisey focus only on 2 key players. This gives the opportunity to vary the game in almost every situation.
The home court advantage will also help the Moscow team on this Series. The Krasnoyarsk team looked well at home, but wasn’t able to show stability on the road. The stats prove it, as Enisey became the single Group A team, who ended the regular season will more losses – 8-10.
The coaching staff changes can also help the team. Andreas Pistiolis replaced Emil Rajkovic. The Greek specialist has a very hard task, as there is no time for acclimatisation. CSKA management had to take a risk, but it can pay off. The new coach probable won’t be able to change the team’s game in a week. Such substitution will shake up the players. But psychologically, this situation can become key problem for the team mood.
Why Enisey can win?
Surprisingly enough, the leadership factor can help Enisey in this series. CSKA simply doesn’t have any players with an impact on the game on the level of Rathan-Mayes or Martin. As for example, Martin and Mikael Hopkins set season-high 28 and 27 points against CSKA. Rathan-Mayes also scored 30 points versus the Moscow team.
Defense also could help the Siberian team. In games against CSKA Enisey defense literally transforms. Only once the Moscow team reach 80 points against the Krasnoyarsk team. On average, they scored 11.5 points less than the season in total (74.8 to 86.3). In fact, the Moscow team had the less scoring game of the season exactly against Enisey (65 points).
The current shape of the 2 teams also in the Krasnoyarsk team favour. The Siberian team had a hard time getting used to the level of their Group A opponents. The team started the second stage with 5 straight losses. But gradually Enisey found its rhythm, and in the next 5 won 3. CSKA, on the other hand, has a different dynamic. The Moscow team looked unstable throughout the second stage of the regular season. And in the last 5 games managed only to win 1.
The lack of psychological pressure should also help Enisey. Despite the successful season, many still don’t see Enisey as a serious force. In this series, CSKA is traditionally attributed the status of favorite with no space to mistake. But the Krasnoyarsk team is fine with that.
X-Factor
The X-factor for this matchup could be the condition of Casper Ware, who is recovering from a serious injury. But if we look at the purely face-to-face aspect, three-pointers will almost be the key factor in this Series.
The Moscow team finished the regular season as the second team in the League in three-pointers made (37.8%). But CSKA has not used this option too often in offense. For the Siberian team, the perimeter defense is their weakest point in defense. Astana set the current season-high for long-range shots made in a game (17). A little later, this achievement was repeated by MBA players.
For the Siberian team, three-pointers are the key offensive option (27.0 three-point attempts on average). But made only 9.9 long-range shots. In the series with CSKA, Enisey players will almost certainly try to use this tactics.
