In a regular season game CSKA host Zenit.
Where:
Russia, Moscow, USH CSKA (capacity 5000 spectators)
When:
February 13, 2021, 13:00 (13:00 МSК)
Broadcast:
Match TV, VTB United League web-site
Frame from the past:
Ex-CSKA center James Augustine in 2016/17 season faced Zenit center Anton Pushkov.
Face to face:
Zenit vs CSKA! This confrontation becomes more and more popular. In the VTB United League the teams have spent 16 games since 2014, 12 of them were taken by CSKA. in 2018/19 season CSKA passed Zenit in League’s playoffs semi-finals. The swip shouldn’t confuse: Zenit were fighting against the champion in each game: 98:82, 83:81, 69:68. It was Petersburg who drew Euroleague’s attention received wild card and now prove themselves in Europe.
In the first round on October 7 Zenit beat CSKA for the first time in Moscow – 82:79. CSKA took revenge in Saint Petersburg (82:63) and then took 2 wins in Euroleague (87:70, 86:78). This season CSKA and Zenit met only in Euroleague. On December 18 CSKA beat them 83:65.
Last week
Teams that are fighting for Euroleague positions now can rest in Europe but on Sunday and Wednesday will play in the VTB League. CSKA lost to Kalev for the first time in history (102:107) but then break losing streak against Enisey (91:80) in Krasnoyarsk.
Zenit spent 2 away games against Tsmoki-Minsk (99:73) and UNICS (58:59). In Kazan Zenit’s 7-game winning streak was broken as well. The game was decided in clutch when Jamar Smith hit a game-winner.
Intrigue
CSKA and Zenit are struggling. CSKA made an important decision when saved Mike James in roster after a locker room incident. The team have to face locker problems and injuries. The Red-Blues lost Nikola Milutinov till the and of the season, Will Clyburn hasn’t played for a while, Tornike Shengelia is off and James came to the USA for personal reasons. As a result, this is the first time under Dimitris Itoudis coaching when they suffered 4 consecutive victories and Andrei Vatutin said that the team is in crisis overcoming of which may take some time.
Zenit lost crucial big Alex Poythress and signed Tarik Black hasn’t played yet. Petersburg suffered three consecutive away defeats in Euroleague against Barcelona, Milan and Fenerbahce. All the games were close. However, in the VTB League before the Kazan game everything was more successful.
На фоне всех трудностей к последней перед перерывом на Матч Всех Звезд игре команды подходят с экстра-мотивацией. Considering all the difficulties before the All-Star Game the teams are supermotivated. It seems like it is more relatable to CSKA: the team are reloading. If Zenit beat their opponent CSKA would hardly catch up with Zenit and UNICS.
Comment
CSKA president Andrei Vatutin:
– It is obvious that the team is in crisis, perhaps it’s more serious than we thought… Our problems can’t be solved easily. We should prepare for it before injured players won’t come back, we should accept this period, it may take days and maybe weeks but we will try to handle it.
Home court
One of Zenit victories over CSKA was away game, October 7 2019 (82:79). After it the teams haven’t met in Moscow thus Zenit will try to start a good streak as they look good on the road this season (6-2). CSKA in USH CSKA aren’t perfect: 4-2 after defeats from PARMA and Kalev.
Power up
On Wednesday CSKA signed center Michael Eric.
Eric started this season in Turk Telecom. He was averaging 12,2 points, 6,7 rebounds, 0,7 steals and 1,3 blocks in Champions League, in Turkish League – 10,7 points, 5,6 rebounds and 0,7 blocks.
The Nigerian is signed to replace injured Milutinov.
According to unofficial source CSKA are signing one of the best season players Iffe Lundberg. Starting in Zielona Gora Dane is expected to join the team in the near future.
Stats
CSKA and Zenit are one of the best rebounding teams. CSKA average 37,1 rebounds per game and are second in this indicator, Zenit are having 36,1 rebounds and are 4th.
CSKA are top-3 teams in assists per game – 20,1. Petersburg aren’t far: 19,3 and 5th spot.
Zenit lead in 3-point percentage – 41,0% CSKA are second 39,5%.
Familiar faces
This season CSKA and Zenit have only 1 player in common, Russia National team captain Vitaly Fridzon has played for CSKA since 2013 till 2018.
Duel
Darrun Hilliard vs Billy Baron
Hilliard took the leadership and reminded his shooter skills. In the game against Kalev the guard set season-high in scoring – 38. In this situation CSKA expect Darrun to keep this level of basketball.
Zenit haven’t got such bright leaders as CSKA have. However, anyone may shine in particular game. One of the clear favorites is Baron who can pass the ball as well as can do scoring.
Speech
CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis:
– Zenit are a competitive team both in Euroleague and VTB United League. They show high-level basketball. I wish we could play such game with full roster. They have winning spirit, many good players and good coach. There is a tough game coming up next.
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual:
– We are finishing tough schedule period: the game against CSKA will be the 8th in 19 days, 6 of them were on the road. Everybody are aware of CSKA players level. This is strong team with very good coach that spend every game on the high level. We have to find energy both physically and mentally to use the chance to win in this game.
