CSKA will host Zenit in the Game of the Week on Monday.
Time: February 6, 20:00 (Moscow time)
Location: Russia, Moscow, Megasport
Broadcast: TV Start, Match! Igra, League website
Rivalry
Zenit vs CSKA! The rivalry between the two famous brands reached a new level in the previous season: the teams had an incredible final series, and the winner was determined only in the 7th game. Zenit won the League title for the first time in history and CSKA lost in the playoff series for the first time in history.
In total, the teams have played 34 games since 2014, in 22 the Army team took the win.
The SuperCup 2022 final game
The rivalry continued before the start of the season. CSKA and Zenit reached the SuperCup final, the game was incredibly dramatic. 9.2 seconds before the end, the St. Petersburg team took a timeout trailing by 2. aFTER THIS, Thomas Wimbush scored a three-pointer over Livio Jean-Charles and only 2 seconds left. However, the Moscow team could not even make a shot – Trey Tompkins stole the ball.
This season
The teams played twice in the 2022/23 season – and both times the Army took the win. Moreover, these games had various scenarios.
On November 1 in Sibur Arena, CSKA took the lead from the first minutes and by the halftime led by 14. Zenit spent the entire second half on a comeback, which was almost a success: 50 seconds before the end, the reigning champion trailed by 2 – 78:80!
At that moment, the MVP of October Nikola Milutinov scored a second-chance points. In response, Igor Volkhin did not score a three-pointer and the game result was decided.
The second game of the teams ended the regular season first stage. This time Zenit returned to Megasport for the first time after the 2022 Finals, did not allow the opponent to immediately take the lead – 43:43 after the first half.
And in the third quarter, Casper Ware put on his own show. The Army team guard made 4 consecutive three-pointers, actually single-handedly getting CSKA a double-digit lead. As a result, Ware scored 20 points in the quarter and became a key factor. Zenit also lost confidence and lost by 20 – 80:100.
Updates
Only 2 weeks have passed since the previous teams game, but Zenit has changed seriously. Firstly, the St. Petersburg team announced Euroleague champion Adrien Moerman and the young Royce Hamm at the end of the first stage.
Both front court players have already made their debut for Zenit and Hamm even made a winning dunk against MBA:
Zenit has another surprise for CSKA: a 24-year-old guard Trent Frazier, who started the season in Serbian FMP, joined the team. The guard impresses with his stats – he averages 20.7 points and 6.2 assists in the Adriatic League. He got the best game of the season in January against Mornar Bar: 45 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds.
This week, Zenit also announced that Richard Solomon left the team.
Streak
The win over Pari NN on Thursday was the 24th in a row for CSKA. Emil Rajkovic team remains undefeated and currently has the biggest winning streak in the United League history.
The best offense versus the best defense
The Moscow team had one if the best offense in the history of the League. On average, CSKA scores 97.8 points and the team progresses over the season. CSKA is the best team in the League in made shots from the game (55.0%), three-pointers (42.3%) and two-pointers (63.8%). The Army team holds the season high in points in 1 game – 110 in the Moscow Derby against MBA.
Zenit, even despite 3 losses in a row in January, remains the best defensive team. On average, the reigning champion lets opponents score 71.9 points per game. However, 2 weeks ago, the St. Petersburg team allowed their opponents to score less 70 points per game – 69.7.
Leaders
Immediately 2 CSKA players are in the League best scorers list: Alexey Shved is the third with 17.1 points, Nikola Milutinov is the eighth with 15.2 points per game.
Only Thomas Heurtel has such close stats in Zenit. The French guard scores 13.8 points per game and is ranked the twelfth. However, this situation may change soon, because the St. Petersburg team newcomer Royce Ham averaged 15.5 points in 2 games.
Nikola Milutinov leads in rebounding (8,7). The Serbian center will compete with Royce Hamm, who has 6 rebounds per game.
A separate story will be with point guards. After all, Alexey Shved and Thomas Heurtel are the leaders in assists. The Army team guard has 7.9 , the French guard has 9.0 assists per game.
