Let us remind that in Zagreb the hosts led for the most part of the game. CSKA was saved by Milos Teodosic who scored four three-pointers in a row in the last quarter. But even the success of the red-blues’ point guard did not stop Cedevita which was able to make it interesting in the end.
This time the Muscovites’ coaching staff will have to deal without Teodosic: the player continues to recover from the foot muscle damage. The team will also miss Victor Khryapa, Alexey Zozulin and Manuchar Markoishvili who had to stay out because of the fever.
“We face the team which got a momentum, which is playing much better recently than in the first part of the season,” Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach, said. “Cedevita really dominated against Maccabi in Tel Aviv, they scored 102 points against Limoges last week and only a few teams in Euroleague this season managed to score that much. Our visitors are definitely a young and energetic team which likes to run, plays aggressively on both ends of the floor. Zubcic and Pilepic stepped up recently, but the offense still comes mostly off the hands of Ukic and Gordic, Bilan plays well on the block. Overall they have tall players on every position and that gives them advantage on rebounding and defense. We had tough away game and I expect it to be difficult of Friday.”
“Close” relations
Cedevita team manager Mate Skelin played center for CSKA in 1999-2000 season becoming the first ever Croatian player for red-blues.
Past matchups
That first ever meeting of the teams took place in Zagreb on October 31.
2014-15 – Euroleague. Regular Season: Cedevita – CSKA: 72-76 (+4)
Important numbers
Vitaly Fridzon has made at least 1 three-pointer in 28 straight Euroleague games.
Fridzon has made 17 consecutive free throws in Euroleague action. Aaron Jackson has 15.
Milos Teodosic needs 11 more three-pointers to crack the competition’s career top 10 in that category. The 2010 Euroleague MVP enters this week’s game ranked 13th overall with 266 career triples. Igor Rakocevic (277) sits in 10th place. Next for Teodosic to pass is Louis Bullock (275).
Teodosic leads the league lead in assists with 8.4 per game.
Short dossier
Cedevita Zagreb, Croatia
Founded: 1991
Colors: red, white
Home court: Drazen Petrovic Basketball Hall (11,000)
President: Mladen Veber
Head coach: Jasmin Repesa
Website: www.kkcedevita.hr
Accomplishments: Croatian champions (2014), Croatian Cup winners (2012, 14)
