Zenit will face CSKA in the Finals for the VTB United League title! Series will be up to 4 wins.
Time and Place
Game 1. May 27, 19:30 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena
Game 2. May 29, 19:30 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena.
Game 3. June 1, 14:30 (Moscow time), Moscow, Megasport
Game 4. June 3, 19:30 (Moscow time), Moscow, Megasport
Game 5. June 6, 19:30 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena*
Game 6. June 9, 19:30 (Moscow time), Moscow, Megasport*
Game 7. June 12, 17:00 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena*
* – if necessary
Regular season
Zenit: 1st place (39 wins and 5 losses)
CSKA: 2nd place (37 wins and 7 losses)
Season rivalry
The teams played at the start of the season for the first time. On October 13 at Megasport, the Moscow team took the lead from the start. The guests remained in the catch-up role for most of the game. But the game went to the clutch. Here the Moscow team defense became the key. At the decisive moment, the hosts prevented Dwayne Bacon from scoring and caused Xavier Moon to make foul, which allowed CSKA to retain the lead – 83:77. This win over Zenit remains the only one for CSKA this season so far.
The next game between the teams was in winter. On December 7, the St. Petersburg team hosted game, which became a real tough battle. But this time Zenit leaders played well. Bacon, Moon and Trent Frazier helped to gain win – 82:78.
On February 2, the St. Petersburg team repeated previous result at Megasport. This clash was also tough. The key was the guests’ run at the start of the final quarter. Zenit players scored 13 points in a row, gained a comfortable lead and secured win – 79:66.
But the most important game of the regular season was the last teams’ matchup of regular season. The opponents had the same record. So the future winner of the regular season was actually determined at CSC Arena. In the game itself, Zenit took the lead in the opening quarter, while the Moscow team had to catch-up for a long time. The game remained intriguing until the last minutes. The key was Bacon contested shot with 21 seconds left. After that, Zenit lead grew to 5 points – 80:75. CSKA was unable to pull off a miracle in the remaining time, and the hosts celebrated win – 81:77.
Why can Zenit win?
This season, the St. Petersburg team has looked confident against CSKA. This can be confirmed by results. The last 3 games between the teams ended with Zenit wins. These games often followed a similar scenario. Xavier Pascual team started confidently and took the lead in the opening quarter. The Moscow team would get into the chase. But Zenit was able to get wins due to leaders’ skills.
The leaders factor should play for Zenit in the Finals as well. CSKA also has plenty of great players. But still, the St. Petersburg team roster has more star players. This was confirmed in the rivalries between the teams. Bacon and Frazier scored key shots at the end.
The coaches of both teams have a lot of experience working for the best European clubs. But still, Xavier Pascual has been at the highest level much longer. This moment can be crucial.
We shouldn’t forget that the St. Petersburg team will have home court advantage. This is a rather significant moment, which played crucial role in the Semifinals between Zenit and Loko. And this season, both clashes between Zenit and CSKA in St. Petersburg ended with home team win.
Semifinal series between Zenit and Loko stretched to 7 games. On the one hand, the team lost a lot of energy, but kept the shape. Xavier Pascual team has gotten into the Playoffs rhythm and is in the beat mode now. After the win over UNICS, the Moscow team was out of action for a long time and only practiced for 2 weeks.
Why can CSKA win?
On the other hand, the Moscow team had some time to rest and prepare. The Moscow team has fallen out of rhythm, but a 2-week break can give the team more. The freshness factor will allow CSKA to perform better at the decisive moment.
CSKA has better psychological factor. In the current Playoffs, the St. Petersburg team has showed a lot of emotions, many were wasted on things that have nothing to do with the game. The Moscow team look much more focused.
When it comes to game highlights, CSKA will have a more balanced game style. The St. Petersburg team rely too much on leaders, especially Bacon. And even in games where he’s not doing well, he continues to take the initiative. The Moscow team has no such clear leader, and several players can perform anytime. And that factor helped CSKA a lot against UNICS. Ware, Avramovic, Trimble, Astapkovich became the best scoring players each time.
X-Factor
The X-factor in this series has to be three-pointers. That’s easily confirmed by the same stats. In Playoffs games, the future rivals have lead in key stats: long-range shooting percentage (Zenit – 37.9%, CSKA – 43.4%), three-pointers attempted (Zenit – 27.7, CSKA – 26.0) and three-pointers made (Zenit – 10.5, CSKA – 11.3).
The Moscow team made 44.6% of all shots from three-point distance. The St. Petersburg team has lower number – 43.9%. All of these clearly confirm the importance of three-pointers for both teams.
So the three-point factor that will likely be key in the battle for title.
