CSKA Moscow stole home-court advantage in the VTB United League playoffs, edging Zenit Petersburg 82-80 in a dramatic Game 1 on May 28, 2025. A clutch basket in the final seconds secured a massive road win for the army men, silencing the home crowd. The entire game was a tactical battle, with neither team able to build a lead larger than seven points. Zenit seemed poised to close it out in the final minute, but a critical turnover led to a fast break and the game-winning layup for CSKA. This match result completely shifts the momentum of the series, handing the psychological edge to the experienced CSKA squad. It was a classic playoff contest decided by the slimmest of margins.