Lokomotiv Kuban defeated CSKA in the Game of the Week on the road – 106:104 (29:31, 29:24, 28:25, 20:25).

Game progress
The teams made it clear that they weren’t going to sit in defense already in the opening quarter, demonstrating an outrageous level of offensive play. Andrei Martiuk was the main hero for Loko. He already updated his season-high in the first half. Melo Trimble shined for CSKA and was one step away from the all-time VTB League in points in a half (28, while Trimble had 25 by halftime). After losing in the first quarter by a point (30:29), Loko took the initiative in the second quarter due to a more team-oriented offense and finished the first half leading – 58:54.

The game did not change after the halftime break – the rivals continued to show great offense. The Krasnodar team managed to take Trimble out of the game. Although Loko won third quarter, the hosts rebuilt the game, giving Aleksa Avramovic opportunity to shine in offense and still didn’t give the Krasnodar team a comfortable lead at the start of the final quarter – 86:79.

Key moment
In the fourth quarter, CSKA pushed the pace and aggression in defense to the limit and began to gradually cut Loko’s lead. But the Krasnodar team was really unlucky – in the middle of the quarter, Martiuk landed badly after a spectacular block and was out for the rest of the game. With a minute left the Moscow team was trailing by only 2 points, and another Loko leader Patrick Miller was fouled out.

The final minute had a lot of action. Kirill Elatontsev and Aleksandr Gudumak brought Loko lead to 6 points. Avramovic let opponent to commit a foul on three-point line and gave CSKA a chance to win. Vladislav Emchenko scored after 2 missed free throws, but CSKA replied again with a long-range shot by Amath M’Baye.

In the final seconds, the heat was turned up to the max as Andreas Pistiolis was suspended for arguing with the officials. Loko did not take advantage of this situation – first Antonius Cleveland missed both free-throws, and then Emchenko made a turnover. Avramovic tried to save the game, but missed three-pointer. Loko wins in Moscow for the first time since November 2023.

X-factor
Throughout the game, the Krasnodar team had with a very high shooting percentage – 66.7% field-goals made, 50% three-pointers made. But Loko didn’t do well on free throws – only 20 of 30, which gave CSKA a chance in the end.

Facts
CSKA is losing at home for the first time this season. Before that, the winning streak streak at home lasted 11 games.

Melo Trimble made second season-high performance in the League. The leader is still Jeremiah Martin with 36 points.

Andrei Martiuk scored season-high and got his first double-double.

Leaders
CSKA: Melo Trimble (35), Aleksa Avramovic (23), Livio Jean-Charles (11), Casper Ware (10), Tonye Jekiri (7 + 7 rebounds).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Andrei Martiuk (27 + 10 rebounds), Patrick Miller (16 + 5 rebounds + 8 assists), Karvel Anderson (13 + 5 rebounds), Antonius Cleveland (12 + 7 assists), Aleksandr Gudumak (11).

What’s next
CSKA: January 22 at home against Avtodor
Lokomotiv Kuban: January 25 at home versus Enisey.