CSKA Moscow hosts Khimki Moscow Region in a regular-season showdown.
Who:
CSKA, 2015-16 VTB United League and Euroleague champions
vs.
Khimki, 2015-16 VTB United League semifinalists
Where:
USH CSKA (capacity 5,000), Moscow, Russia
When:
5:00 PM (5:00 MSK), December 18, 2016
TV:
Match TV, VTB-League.com
Face to Face
CSKA and Khimki have met 90 times with the Army Men enjoying a 73-17 lead in the series. In recent years, the two clubs have been regular opponents in the VTB United League, including several instant classics. Last season, CSKA and Khimki met in the playoff semifinals. The series was hard-fought and competitive, but Moscow ultimately earned a sweep, moving on to win another VTB United League championship. Overall, CSKA has won eight straight against Khimki.
This is the first meeting of the 2016-17 season, but certainly not the last, including a possible postseason match-up.
Looking Back
Balance of Power
The Leningradka derby has been Russian basketball’s greatest rivalry for many years. Don’t be surprised if Khimki tries to spring another upset. After a surprising defeat to VEF to start the season, Moscow Region has been on a roll, winning seven straight in the League and finishing in 1st place in its Eurocup group. The team’s newcomers have had an instant impact, the players are in excellent physical condition, and Khimki does a great job of applying pressure on defense and being aggressive on offense… Hold on. We’ve heard this story before.
Khimki has often looked sharp entering the derby, confident of taking the Army Men down… But CSKA always has something in reserve, figuring out a way to overcome injuries, fatigue, and any other obstacles to get the win. Once again, Moscow will only have one day to rest and prepare for Khimki after a Euroleague win vs. Barcelona. MVP Nando De Colo hasn’t played since November due to a hip injury, Aaron Jackson is sick with the flu, and Joel Freeland is still trying to get comfortable in Itoudis’s system. Nonetheless, CSKA always seems to get the outcome it wants against Moscow Region, at least in recent years. Khimki has had success in the regular season vs. CSKA, but not last season, when it got swept 2-0.
Readiness
Despite what was written above, CSKA’s busy calendar and injuries to leading players, especially in the backcourt, will be a huge factor in Sunday’s game.
Test
Khimki general director Pavel Astakhov views the upcoming game as a chance to evaluate his team’s potential.
“Recent results, no question, have been encouraging. We are cautiously optimistic. Let’s put it that way. And, of course, we expect the game against CSKA to be a true test. We’ll see where we’re really at, what level we’re at, playing against the Euroleague champs.”
Finding out just how prepared a remade Khimki squad is to face the League’s top contender is the biggest intrigue heading into the game.
Old Acquaintances
James Augustine played four seasons for Khimki, earning a reputation as one of the club’s pillars. But this offseason he decided to follow in Vitaly Fridzon’s footsteps from 2013, joining rival CSKA. On Sunday, the big man will face his former team for the first time.
Khimki, meanwhile, features an entire contingent of former Army Men: Sergey Monia, Egor Vyaltsev, Alexey Shved, Dmitry Sokolov, and Valery Likhodei.
Khimki head coach Dusko Ivanovic and CSKA assistant Darryl Middleton played together at Spain’s Girona during the 1991-92 season.
Player Spotlight
CSKA is favored, but Khimki has a trump card: Alexey Shved. The League’s November MVP can carry a team on his own and will need to be at his best on Sunday. Shved celebrated his 28th birthday on Friday and is Khimki’s greatest hope against CSKA.
There were reports that Teodosic would miss the rest of 2016, but he’s back, evidently recovered from his “extreme fatigue.” The Serb put up 16 points and 11 assists against Barcelona, proving once again his importance to CSKA.
Quotes
CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis:
– We face another tough game. The question is how to prepare in 40 hours. The crowd was incredible against Barcelona and I hope the fans will come support us on Sunday. We’re meeting a rebuilt Khimki team, which has come together only recently. Our opponent has terrific athletes and clear ideas, so we expect a tough game.
Khimki head coach Dusko Ivanovic:
– Objectively, CSKA is one of the best teams in Europe. They are the reigning champs in the Euroleague and VTB League. They are playing great and have very experienced players on the roster who can do a lot of things on autopilot. This team is tough to play against, but we are getting ready like usual and will compete for a win. In order to beat CSKA, you have to be patient and play very smart on defense. Of course, the offense has to work well, too.
