MOSCOW (Interstat) — The VTB Youth United League’s top two teams meet Thursday afternoon when CSKA II visits MBA Moscow II at DS Dynamo Krylatskoe.

CSKA II (37-7 overall) holds the league’s best record, while MBA Moscow II (29-3) has lost only three times this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.

The matchup features two of the league’s most productive players. For CSKA II, center Daniil Abramov has posted double-doubles in two of his last three outings. In a 77-61 win at Nizhny Novgorod II on April 21, he collected 10 points and 12 rebounds in 17 minutes. Three days later, in a 71-58 home victory over the same opponent, he finished with eight points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

MBA Moscow II counters with guard Matvey Padius, who leads the team in scoring. Padius erupted for 33 points on 5-of-9 shooting in an 80-67 win over Parma II on April 24, adding five rebounds in 37 minutes. In the previous meeting with Parma II on April 21, he recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Over his last six games, Padius has averaged 19.7 points and 4.5 rebounds.

The teams split a two-game series earlier this month at CSKA II’s home court. On April 3, CSKA II edged MBA Moscow II 71-70 behind Padius’ 20 points, four rebounds and eight assists – though he was on the losing side. The next day, MBA Moscow II returned to win 70-65, with Padius scoring 16 points in 34 minutes. Abramov had eight points and seven rebounds in that loss.

CSKA II enters Thursday’s game on a two-game winning streak after sweeping Nizhny Novgorod II. In the April 24 win, guard Denis Klubbe led the team with 11 points, while Abramov added eight points and seven boards. The team’s only losses in the past month came to MBA Moscow II on April 3-4.

MBA Moscow II has won six straight since that split, including a pair of lopsided victories at Yenisei-2 on April 7-8 by a combined 206-105 margin. The team’s last defeat came on April 3 against CSKA II.

Thursday’s contest marks the third meeting between the clubs this season, with the season series tied 1-1. The winner will take sole possession of first place in the league standings.