This is a clash of two powerhouses of the Euroleague. CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid will see each other for the second time this season at Megasport Arena, in Moscow. Review our thoughts on this match here below.
CSKA Moscow
Currently, CSKA is standing in the 3rd seed, of the Euroleague standings (16-5). This is a team which is shooting a lot of threes at a high percentage (40.6%). Lately, CSKA has been winning games and is on 3 games winning streak. This is an offensive team that is 2nd scoring among all Euroleague teams (87ppg). Moscow mainly holds on their five leaders as all of them are scoring more than 8 points per game. All the other players are only role bench players and do not have much effect on the offensive end. Leading scorers for CSKA are: Cory Higgins (14.7pts, 1.8ass, 53.7% 3FG%), Nando De Colo (14.5ppg, 3.7apg) and Will Clyburn (14.2ppg, 7rpg). Sergio Rodriguez is a very valuable pass-first style point guard, as he makes 4.8apg. At home, CSKA is a very hard team to beat (8-1).
Real Madrid
Currently, Real Madrid is standing in the 2nd seed, of the Euroleague standings (17-4) and is looking to win the regular season. Last year’s champions playstyle, as well as CSKA’s, is mainly based on threes (40.2%). Real is showing off unselfish basketball. Madrid ranks in the 2nd place of assist average in this season’s Euroleague (19.8apg). Real, also has a lot of depth as 8 players of this team are scoring more than 7ppg. Real has been playing well recently. They’ve won 5 of their last 6 games and are looking to keep on winning. Leading scorers for Madrid are: Anthony Randolph (13ppg, 4.8rpg, 47.3% 3FG%), Sergio Llull (10.3ppg, 3.6apg). Facundo Campazzo is leading passer with 4.4apg. In road games, Real looks decent (7-3).
H2H
On the stats sheet, CSKA and Real, look even, except Real is slightly more efficient either offensively and defensively. This is a clash of two offensive teams, so we should see a bunch of points coming in this game. Last time these teams saw each other was in Madrid. Real Madrid had to admit the advantage of CSKA Moscow as CSKA won this game 88-93. Leading scorers for CSKA were: Cory Higgins (24pts, 4ass), Will Clyburn (18pts, 6rebs, 27PIR) and Nando De Colo (15pts, 5ass). Real Madrid’s leaders: Facundo Campazzo (23pts, 3stls, 24PIR). Rudy Fernandez (18pts, 3rebs), Gustavo Ayon (8pts, 7rebs, 4ass, 21PIR). This is a very important game for both teams, as both of them are looking to grab the 1st place of the regular season. Sergio Rodriguez, of CSKA, played a lot of seasons for Real Madrid, so this could be an advantage for CSKA, as Rodriguez knows a lot about Real’s players’ individual skills and playstyles. To conclude, this is an entertaining game, with some familiar faces and huge importance for both teams.