CSKA - Unicaja: 87-63

CSKA won the first Euroleague game this season. At USH CSKA the team outscored Unicaja: 87-63. The key period of the game came in the 3rd quarter that was won by CSKA 26-5, J.R.Holden made three long distance shots in the quarter.

CSKA– Unicaja: 87-63

As all the Euroleague games the one against Unicaja was supposed to be a tough one. But also this time there were some extra circumstances that influenced the play. The first one is CSKA previous records in the current Euroleague tournament. Of course CSKA players experienced the pressure of the two losses and were a bit nervous because of the fact. From the very start despite all the Unicaja attempts to control the game CSKA did maximum not to show even a sign of the weakness rather on the offensive or on the defensive end of the court. It was rather hard to play both with the mental and rival’s pressure but the team spirit helped to survive. By the half time the score was almost even – 37-39 and it was clear that the real battle awaits the both teams in the second quarter.

The second circumstance is Marcus Brown. It is always a worth to mention factor in the game when former key or role player comes to face his former team. In the start of the game the American guard did his best to show he was still the same player the Moscovites got used to support and love for the past two years. And of course it was interesting to watch Brown – any-of-CSKA-current-player match-up. Brown finished the first quarter as the game best scorer with 7 points and 50 percents of the field goals. But then his actions were limited – the percentage dropped to 38.5 and the final 12 points are below player’s average last season.

The third circumstance is CSKA roster changes. Before the game Matjaz Smodis was cleared to play by the coaching staff and the doctors. The final stats does not express all the advantages the team got from the Slovenian forward presence. It was about the confidence he brought, about effort he put and all the other things important for the team chemistry. It is clear that CSKA needs Smodis even if he is ready only for 50-60 percents. (By the way, according to Ettore Messina words on the press conference, Smodis would be 100 percents ready in two weeks). Nikita Kurbanov play was not a key this time but his presence has more in common with the words about CSKA great potential this season.

All of the circumstances could play either on CSKA or on Unicaja side. In the second half it became clear that the extra things would work for the hosts. The third quarter can be described as a 10-minutes long run of the Army club – 26-5. The reasons of such a breakthrough are not anything abstruse: hard defense, good passing in the offence, rebounds, rhythm control.

After the advantage was achieved CSKA opened up mentally and showed what it really means - the good game of the current team. Of course that was not the highest level and the Army club surely has a space to improve. But the game was spectacular enough to show the supporters what they were waited for in the previous games.