3 regular season games will be on Sunday.
CSKA (Moscow) – MBA (Moscow)
Time: 15:00 (Moscow time)
Location: Russia, Moscow, Megasport
Broadcast: TV Start, Match TV, League website
CSKA: The Army team was undefeated at the first stage of the regular season – 22 wins in 22 games. However, this does not guarantee the team the first place, so it is important not to slow down and keep away from UNICS. Both games were won by CSKA in face-to-face games. In addition, Emil Rajkovic team demonstrated high performance in both Moscow derby games, scoring 110 (a season high) and 92 points. At the same time, not underestimate MBA, and in many ways the result of this Sunday game will depend on the mood of CSKA players.
MBA: The League newcomer has already surprised by making it to the playoffs in the debut season without foreign players in the squad. Now MBA has a new task – necessary to take the highest possible place in the standings at the end of the regular season. It will not be very easy to do this, as there are 10 games left and Vasily Karasev team is waiting for at least equal opponents. Just before the end of the first stage, MBA signed Daniil Aksenov, who started the season in Astana. It is extremely important for the Russian guard to get used to the new team as soon as possible, because there is practically no time for adaptation. In the game with CSKA, one of the primary tasks will be to work in defense for 40 minutes. This season shows that getting involved in a shootout with the Army team is not worth it, so the team can only count on winning with an ideal defense.
Avtodor (Saratov) – Samara (Samara)
Time: 16:00 (15:00 Moscow time)
Location: Russia, Saratov, DS Kristall
Broadcast: TV Start Triumph, League website
Avtodor: In a short pause between the first and second stages of the regular season, the Saratov team has changed quite seriously. Firstly, Branislav Vicentic replaced Darko Russo. Secondly, Ryan Boatwright moved to PARMA-PARI. Probably, the team’s management made such decisions after a 4-game losing streak – Avtodor has not won in 2023 yet. How these changes will affect the Saratov team’s game will become clear on Sunday: Avtodor will have a serious game against Samara. Loss in this Volga derby will put a question for the Saratov team participation in the playoffs.
Samara: This game is extremely important for the League newcomer. Unlike opponent in the Volga Derby, Samara benefited from the New Year’s break: in 2023, the team won 3 of its 4 games and returned to 7th place in the standings. By the way, Avtodor was one of the defeated opponents: in that game, Samara led by 15 already in the first quarter and eventually held the lead until the end. However, there have been changes in Samara: Malcolm Thomas left, and the club signed Vladimir Ivlev. In the game in Saratov, much will depend on Marcos Knight. The guard has a huge impact on Samara offense: the Volga team scores 38.8% of all points scored after Knight’s shots or assists.
Zenit (Saint Petersburg) – Lokomotiv Kuban (Krasnodar)
Time: 17:00 ( Moscow time)
Location: Russia, Saint Petersburg, SIBUR ARENA
Broadcast: TV Start, Match! Igra, League website
Zenit: Last week, the reigning champion had 2 losses in a row for the second time this season. The gap between CSKA and UNICS is already quite decent, and the chances of improving the standings are not too high for Zenit going third. At the same time, Pari NN and MBA are closely behind, and it’s too early for the St. Petersburg team to relax. The team’s management made changes in the roster: during the week, Zenit was strengthened by two legionnaires at once – two-time Euroleague champion Adrien Moerman and center Royce Hamm. Both newcomers have already been announced to the United League, but the date of their debut is still unknown. But even without Moerman and Hamm, in the game with Loko, the St. Petersburg team will be the favorites.
Lokomotiv Kuban: In both games with Zenit this season, Loko lost, but was close to major comebacks. In November, the Krasnodar team made a 21-point comeback, in January in St. Petersburg – a 16-point comeback. But both times Lokomotiv lacked the experience and luck. The game on Sunday also promises to be bright. Firstly, Loko rookie DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell got used to into the team and has shown that he can be incredibly dangerous on offense – he averages 18 points per game. Secondly, Zenit is experiencing a slight decline in January, which the Krasnodar team can take advantage. Loko needs this win to catch up with Pari Nizhny Novgorod and MBA, who share 4-5 places.
