Zenit will host CSKA in the Game of the Week on Saturday.
Place: Russia, St. Petersburg, CSC Arena
Time: 14:00 (Moscow time)
Broadcast: Match TV, Start Triumph, League website.
Rivalry
Zenit defeated CSKA (4-3) in the VTB League Finals 2022, stopping the Moscow team one step away from winning 10th consecutive title. Although the teams’ rivalry was principled even without this outstanding clash. In the next 2 seasons, CSKA left the St. Petersburg team outside the Top 3, and then bypassing on the way to another League title last season.
The previous regular season series ended with a 2-2. CSKA won the first 2 games, but lost both in March 2024.
The clash between the clubs in the Semifinals 2024 ended with the Moscow team win 4-2. The average difference was 15 points. Only in the Game 6 there was the fight to the last and the winner failed to get a double-digit advantage.
The first game between the teams this season was on October 13. The key to CSKA win in this game was a solid defense in the end. Zenit scored 15 points in the 5 minutes of the final quarter and took the lead. But then the Moscow team tightened the opponen and let made only 1 shot in the final 5 minutes.
The VTB League rivalry history is 33-18, CSKA leads. Zenit has beaten CSKA more often than any other team in the League.
Intrigue
CSKA (15-1) and Zenit (14-2) have proven to be the most consistent teams of the season so far and has the lead in the standings with impressive winning streaks.
CSKA lost its only game of the season on October 5 in Nizhny Novgorod, and then began an 11-game winning streak versus Zenit. After the loss in Moscow, the St. Petersburg team has won 9 games in a row.
Zenit announced the sold-out for this game back on November 27.
Expectation
The VTB League legend Vitaly Fridzon summarized the general expectations for the game:
– CSKA is playing really great right now, showing perfect basketball. But Zenit has also improved a lot. I think both of these teams look like favorites so far.
Fact
In 2024, this will be the 10th game between the teams. After the October win, CSKA has a slim 5-4 advantage.
Duel
Xavier Moon vs. Melo Trimble
Moon and Trimble are key players for Zenit and CSKA, defining teams’ offensive play. Both are getting in the Team of the Week regularly and on the extended list of MVP candidates.
The duel of guards should have a defining impact on the Game of the Week. Such was the case during the first clash of the season: 13 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists by Moon, and 17 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists by Trimble.
Attitude
Zenit center Vince Hunter made his intentions clear before this crucial game:
– What do I think of CSKA? They are definitely not perfect, and that loss was really tough. If you think back to both lost games of the season, we shouldn’t have conceded. It’s especially frustrating when you know the opponent is no stronger than you are. I don’t think CSKA is stronger than us, and I don’t think we should have lost. We need to use this as motivation before the next game.
Of course, they are considered the favorites every year, it’s CSKA. So there will be a lot of media attention and talk about them. But I don’t consider them invincible and don’t think they’re better than us. In fact, we could have been undefeated this season, but these losses helped us learn something. Now we need to show how well we can play together against CSKA next week.
Our goal is to beat them and continue to improve in the next games before the Playoffs.
Return
Ivan Ukhov, who hasn’t played since early November due to fractured thumb, could return just in time for the game against Zenit.
Head coach Andreas Pistiolis talked about the condition of the Russian guard, who leads the League in 3-point percentage (50%) this season among all guards.
– Vanya is recovering faster than expected. I hope Ukhov will be able to play with Zenit. The final decision will be made by the team doctors.
Numbers
– Zenit has less turnovers than any other team in the League (11.0).
– Omari Spellman is the season leader in three-point field goal percentage (57.5%).
– Georgy Zhbanov is the leader among Russians in +/- (+9.3).
– CSKA leads the season in scoring (88.8 points), while Zenit is second (88.4).
– CSKA is the only team this season that has 7 players, who averages 8 or more points.
– CSKA leads the season in field-goal percentage (50.6%), 3-point made percentage (40.8%) and free-throw made percentage (81.3%). The Moscow team also has the fewest fouls (17.4 fouls on average).
