Kazan will host Game of the Week between UNICS and CSKA on Saturday.
Place: Russia, Kazan, Basket Hall
Time: April 13, 2025, 14:00 (Moscow time)
Broadcast: Match TV, Start Triumph, League website
Rivalry
CSKA and UNICS are the only teams that have played in the League since the very first season. Unsurprisingly, the rivalry history between clubs is incredibly rich. For the first time, the teams played in the 2009-10 final, where the Moscow team won first title (66:55).
In 2024, CSKA and UNICS played 11 times. In the 2023/24 season, the Moscow team lost all 3 games in the regular season, but took the Finals (4-1). On September 14 at the VTB Arena, CSKA once again activated killer instinct and got win in the SuperCup final game – 87:72. The Moscow team was also stronger in the season opening game, and then won the November game in Kazan – 80:73.
In the current regular season the Moscow team continued dominance against UNICS: 71:55 and 97:86 in Moscow, 80:73 in Kazan.
The rivalry history score in the league is 33-12, CSKA leads. The teams have played 119 games in all competitions (92-27, CSKA leads).
Motivation
The clash in Kazan will have no standings significance – UNICS will finish 3rd in the regular season, CSKA will finish 2nd. But this game could be considered as preparation for the Semifinal series, as both teams will be favorites in their Quarterfinals and can face in the Semis.
UNICS has 3 wins and 8 losses against Top-4 teams this season, including 0-3 season series versus the Moscow team. The Kazan team will try to change this trend before the decisive stage of the season.
Achievement
In the game against Astana, American center Jalen Reynolds scored 15 points and overtook former CSKA player Nando De Colo in the ranking of the highest scoring interiational players in VTB League, moving up to 1st place (2,302 points).
Numbers
CSKA is the League leader in points (92.0), three-point shooting percentage (39.5) and field-goal percentage (49.8), and assists (21.1).
The future guests had 100+ games 12 times this season.
UNICS is slightly behind leading Lokomotiv Kuban in rebounding rankings (38.3 vs. 38.6).
The Moscow team has the less fouls in the season, averaging 18.9 per game.
