Lokomotiv Kuban will host CSKA Moscow at home on Sunday.
Place: Russia, Krasnodar, Basket Hall
Time: March 10, 2024, 14:00
Broadcast: TV Start, Match! Igra, League website
The second stage is in full swing, and each game week brings us a different Top-4 team. This Sunday, fans will be treated to a repeat of the Semifinals 2023 with CSKA against Loko.
Rivalry history
Loko versus CSKA is one of the most interesting rivalries in the recent Russian basketball history. The Krasnodar team has consistently beaten the Moscow team in the regular season, but their biggest win came in last year’s Playoffs.
In the Semifinals, Loko competed equal and eventually left CSKA without the Finals for the first time in League history.
Is Loko the most uncomfortable opponent for CSKA?
The teams have already played this season and the Army team lost twice. In November, Loko ended CSKA 9-game winning streak with a win in Moscow (91:88), and 2 months later defeated opponents in Krasnodar (89:85).
The January game in Krasnodar started with a 16-point lead by the guests in the second quarter. However, Aleksander Sekulic team made an 18:3 run and managed to get the opponents into a tense ending. DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell made 2 three-pointers, a layup and actually brought his team the win. By the end, Loko forward had 30 points.
Only 6 teams in the VTB League history have ever done that: Zalgiris-12/13, Khimki-13/14, Loko-14/15, UNICS-18/19, Zenit-20/21 and UNICS-21/22. The Krasnodar team did it for the second time.
If taking into account the SuperCup and the Semifinals 2023, Loko has 4 consecutive wins over CSKA. Will Loko be able to extend that streak on Sunday?
Teams’ status
Both teams had a bad end of winter and beginning of spring. Loko ended its 2-game losing streak by beating Enisey on the road (101:87). But as the game progressed, the Krasnodar team allowed the Siberian team made a 15-point comeback and only in the fourth quarter finally got the win.
Despite this win, the Krasnodar team is fourth in the standings, trailing Zenit by extra points.
CSKA situation is even more complicated. The Moscow team has not won in the second stage yet (0-3), and the first stage ended with a home loss to UNICS (73-83). The last win was on January 27, and 4 straight losses is the longest losing streak for CSKA in the United League. In addition, due to loss to Zenit a week ago, Emil Rajkovic team lost the top spot to UNICS for the first time this season.
That’s why CSKA is going to Krasnodar angry and motivated – the team need to end the losing streak and regain the lead in the standings, it’s still possible to overtake UNICS.
Newcomers
In 2024, both teams presented a new player each.
Maurice Ndour joined Loko. The forward played 4 games for the Krasnodar team and came off the bench in all, but averages only 4.0 points, 2.8 rebounds with 2.3 assists, which isn’t exactly the numbers expected from the bigman. On the other hand, Ndour hasn’t spent a lot of time with his new team and could still improve.
CSKA’s newcomer is Olivier Hanlan, who moved to Moscow as the best scorer in Italy (18.7 points). The guard joined the team just a week ago and made his United League debut against UNICS, scoring only 6 points in 18.5 minutes. There’s nothing surprising about that: Hanlan got into a system that was new to him, and in his first game for CSKA he faced of the best defensive teams in the League (UNICS is second in points allowed in the League behind Zenit).
Numbers
Despite the disappointing streak, CSKA still has the best field-goal percentage in the League: 50.3% from the game, 57.0% two-pointers, 38.9% three-pointers and 81.6% free throws. It makes sense that the Army team score the most points per game – 86.7.
The Krasnodar team averages 37 rebounds per game, while CSKA averages only 34.5. Loko also got more steals per game (7.6 vs. 6.9) and makes less turnovers (13.1 vs. 13.2).
However, these numbers only show the overall picture for the season, while anything can happen in a single game. Especially considering the absence of CSKA leader Casper Ware, who is out due to a foot injury.
