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CSKA for the top position, Sved questionable for Khimki

Khimki have suffered one defeat more, but since they lost their first head-to-head by 16, they would have to compensate that here for the top position. It is not realistic to expect that

Khimki played their last game two weeks ago, and after a struggle defeated bottom-placed Parma away. They are currently at 16-3 record, Zenit have 18-3, this is a clash for the second position, possible home court advantage in the semi-final as well, which is important, because those that advance to the semi-final will have Euroleague in their pocket. They will soon face each other in Moscow. 

Khimki played a friendly game against Rytas during the long break, who are currently led by their former coach, Kurtinaitis, and they have won despite numerous inconsistencies during the game. Sved missed the friendly against Rytas (87-83), and the first head-to-head against CSKA. 

Ivanovic confirmed that Sved is still questionable due to leg injury, and that Brown is also injured, Boungou-Colo played the last friendly and he is expected to start, while Evans' status is unknown. 

- We have to play strong and with contact, because if we allow them to play light, we will not stand a chance - said Ivanovic.

CSKA are one step away from the top position. Since they will face the three worst teams in the league in the last three rounds, they will secure the top spot even if they lose by 16 points here. 

They are without pressure in the Euroleague, they have secured the Top 4 and they do not have to save their energy for Panathinaikos. Itoudis is not having any injury problems. 

CSKA are playing a relevant game and that is a guarantee they will give their 100%, and when they do, there aren't many teams in VTB who could stand a chance. True, even a defeat by 15 points will bring them the top position, but Itoudis will not lose less here, I am 100% sure of that. They have a clear situation in Euroleague and they do not have to rest their players, they played their last game on Friday and made a lot of rotations and easily defeated UNICS, so I expect them to give their best here. The situation is different for Khimki, they need to win by over 16 for the top position, and that is unreal. They suffered the same amount of defeats as Zenit, and they are fighting for the second position. They will face Zenit in 10 days, and considering the defeat at St. Petersburg, even if they defeat CSKA today, they will still have to defeat Zenit. With all that, before Zenit they will face Novgorod on Sunday. All of this is important because I am not sure Ivanovic will force Sved in these conditions today. Sved with 30 points here is no guarantee they will win, he was out in the first head-to-head and they easily lost. My expectations are over around 10 points of difference, whether Sved plays or not. If the information comes out that he is out, we just need to increase the stake.
Khimki's frontcourt line is bad, CSKA will dominate rebounds, their defenses are very different, and Khimki can only dream of CSKA's chemistry.
These odds on CSKA are the result of Khimki's wins at UNICS and Loko. UNICS are on a ten game losing run in Euroleague and 7 of the last 9 in the VTB League, Loko had 4-5 lead in the end, but then Sved played like Kobe Bryant. He scored around 60 points combined in both games.