Now we have an advantage

Our team will try to use the home-court advantage in the
VTB League playoff series vs VEF Riga – Games 2 and 3 will be played at USH CSKA on May 27 and 29.

Pre-game breakdown

Arena Riga were not available for Latvian team during Game 1 (the series are supposed to be played in 1-2-2 format this season). This is why VTB League changed the scheme of CSKA – VEF series. The Army Men started on the road while having the home-court advantage. Now 2 games will be played in Moscow. If necessary, VEF and CSKA will play at home next two games.

CSKA set two single game scoring records in Liepaja – playoffs all-time and this season, including regular part.

Leo Westermann (back surgery) and Andrey Vorontsevich (shoulder surgery) are not available for the game.

Word to coach

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

We continue our series. We watch the film and prepared to the game accordingly. We approach the game very seriously as we approach every game.

Past matchups

Wins/losses: 13-0
Game of 2017-18 VTB United League season:

30-Oct-2017. CSKA – VEF: 94-69 (+25)
12-Mar-2018. VEF – CSKA: 83-102 (+19)
24-May-2018. VEF – CSKA: 83-112 (+29)

Short dossier

VEF Riga, Latvia
Founded: 1958 (bankrupt in 1992, re-opened in 2007)
Colors: black, white
Home court: Arena Riga (12,500), Liepāja Olympic Centre (2,542)
President: Maris Martinsons
Head coach: Janis Gailitis
Website: www.vefriga.com
Accomplishments: 5-time Latvian champion (2011-13, 15, 17), Baltic League vice-champion (2011), Baltic League bronze winner (2012), 3-time USSR championship bronze winner (1960, 1966, 1991)