CSKA Moscow claimed an impressive victory against Avtodor Saratov on December 25, 2024, dominating the game with a final score of 112-65. The match took place at the Crystal Sports Palace, where the Moscow team showcased its superiority.
From the outset, CSKA set the tone for the game, demonstrating their intentions to maintain their top position within the VTB United League. Head coach Andreas Pistiolis emphasized their desire for victory, stating, "Очевидно, что мы очень хотели этой победы. Доминировали в большей части матча, жестко действовали в защите и мобильно в нападении. Считаю, что разница несправедлива для саратовцев, потому что у них отличная команда... Но сегодня все зависело от нас." His words reflected CSKA's strong performance throughout the match.
The first half saw CSKA gradually build its lead. By the end of the first quarter, they achieved a modest advantage of 25-23. Entering half-time, CSKA extended this to 50-42. Avtodor, fighting hard, managed to stay competitive initially, with players like Dushan Beslach contributing points.
Yet, after the break, everything changed. CSKA unleashed a powerful surge, igniting the third quarter with a 9-0 run right off the bat. Uhov, who scored 20 points overall, sank immediate three-pointers, adding to the growing frustrations of the home team. Avtodor could not keep pace, allowing the gap to widen significantly.
Despite Avtodor's best efforts, their performance noticeably declined. Akers said, "Нужно посмотреть и проанализировать, почему мы так плохо провели две стартовые минуты второй половины. Пропустили рывок ЦСКА 9:0..." After struggling to hold CSKA’s advances, Avtodor saw their spirits deflate, scoring only nine points by the game’s conclusion.
Dushan Beslach of Avtodor expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, "У нас отсутствовали желание и бойцовский дух, что совершенно недопустимо. Хочу извиниться перед болельщиками. Этого больше не повторится," acknowledging the need for improvement and resilience among the players.
CSKA’s victory not only solidified their position at the top of the league but also showcased the depth and talent of their roster, with standout performances from Avramovich and Jackery, each scoring 22 points. They executed their game plan effectively, demonstrating both offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.
Looking forward, Avtodor is set to face Eniisei on January 5, 2025, as they aim to bounce back from this heavy defeat. The team will undoubtedly look to analyze their setbacks from the match against CSKA to avoid similar results in future games.
Overall, the match served as both validation of CSKA’s supremacy and a wake-up call for Avtodor, who must adjust and regroup to stay competitive within the league.
