UNICS will host CSKA in a regular season game.
Where:
Basket Hall (7000 seats), Kazan, Russia
When:
December 26, 2020,13:00 (13:00 MSK)
Broadcast:
Match TV, VTB United Leauge website
Look in the past
Face to face
UNICS vs CSKA is a fierce rivalry that has been going on for years. Even though the Red-blues lead in overall faceoff (17-5 in VTB League), UNICS were more succesful in recent years (2 wins in 2018/19 season plus 1 in 2019/20). Their last top battle happened in 2016 final where CSKA won 3-1.
Week
CSKA are on 11-game winning streak in Euroleauge. This week they downed Villeurbanne on the road – 87:78.
UNICS qualified to Eurocup’s Top 16 and spent this week in preparation for the game.
Intrigue
Renewed UNICS are pacing up, but they still lack stability. Kazan are ranked 6th with a 5-3 record, so they’ll try to climb higher in playoff zone.
CSKA have been winning since November 9, when Khimki outplayed them in VTB League, and got 12 straight wins. Now the Army club is getting closer to Zenit who are ranked 1st. Moscow is traditionally confident against UNICS, but currently CSKA are on 3-game losing streak against Kazan.
Homecourt
UNICS are undefeated at home in the VTB Leauge season. The last time CSKA won in Kazan was December 10, 2017 (88:75).
Motivation
«Тебе звонит мама, спрашивает, с кем ты играешь. «С Минском». «А, вы победите». И мы выходим на такие матчи с образом мышления наших друзей, жен, матерей, дочерей»
Главный тренер @unicsbasket Димитрис Прифтис явно остался недоволен настроем своей команды на «Цмоки» (83:77): pic.twitter.com/LvBECYbxQp
— VTB League (@VTBUL) December 22, 2020
We don’t know, what Dimitris’ Priftis’ mother is going to say when she finds out the next UNICS game is against CSKA. But the White-greens don’t seem to have motivation problems for this one.
Clyburn injurred
In the recent game against Villeurbanne Will Clyburn injured his foot and had to leave the court. The medics conclude it’s not a major problem, so he’ll be out for several games only.
Stat
CSKA are the best scoring team (95.1 per game), UNICS are 8th (82.0). In terms of assists, CSKA are the second (21.2), while UNICS are the second to last (15.5). But both teams are great with three-pointers: 43.1% for Moscow and 41.1% for Kazan.
Duel
Isaiah Canaan vs Mike James
More and more often, Canaan does what he was invited for. He scores, lead comebacks, sets career highs.
James’ form is incredible. His input is especially important in Euroleague, where his stats are outstanding. Meanwhile, James’ numbers in VTB League are lower, but it doesn’t mean he won’t be a threat.
Speech
UNICS head coach Dimitris Priftis:
“Obviously, we’re having a tough game. CSKA is a qualified team, with great tactic organization and great coaching. They are very stable at the moment. If we want to compete today, we have to be at our maximum.”
CSKA head coach Dimitris Itoudis:
“We always have a huge respect for UNICS. It’s another time, when they put up together a great roster of athletic and experienced players, they have nine internationals which reveals something about their ambition. We know they’ll be highly motivated. We don’t have full roster, we’re under pressure, but we’re in a good mood, play together and fly to Kazan to fight.”
