CSKA made a 14:2 run against Lokomotiv Kuban, which helped the guests to win their 25th game of the season — 98:66 (22:14, 23:23, 35:17, 18:12)
Game progress
Both teams lost in the last round. Moreover, Lokomotiv Kuban was defeated for the first time in the second stage, and CSKA loss to Zenit was the first of the season.
So there was a high motivation for both teams. In the first minutes, CSKA quickly took the lead, but Loko trailed 2 or 3 points. But at the end of the first quarter, the Moscow team’s offensive and the defensive actions helped to make a 8:2 run and increase the lead.
Despite this, the Krasnodar team had a successful start of the second quarter – Loko rotation helped to get closer to the opponents (28:25). Only shortly before the halftime, Nikola Milutinov, who scored 6 of 8 points of the team in the quarter, helped to strengthen the lead. By the end of the first half, Lokomotiv trailed by 8 — 45:37.
Key moment
The halftime did not help the hosts to aimprove the offense. And immediately after the break, CSKA started to push, made a run with 8 points by Casper Ware and 3 three-pointers. Loko could only respond to this with Jaylen Barford drive. In just 2 minutes, the difference increased to 20 points. This season, Lokomotiv had situations like this, but failed to make a comeback this time. For CSKA, this win becomes the 25th this season.
Key factor
The Krasnodar team shooters had one of the worst games this season. Every Loko player, except Dmitrii Uzinskii and Kirill Elatontsev, who played only a few minutes, shot a three at least once. But 3 out of 27 attempts were only made – 11.1%. CSKA shooters maed 10 out of 28.
Fact
Livio Jean-Charles is an uncomfortable player for the Krasnodar team. Nikola Milutinov and Alexey Shved did not play in the last game against Loko and then the French bigman became the leader of the team, scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds. This time, both leaders participated, but Jean-Charles became the sixth man of the game with 14 points and 9 rebounds in just 16 minutes.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (15), Chris Horton (12 + 5 rebounds)
CSKA: Nikola Milutinov (16 + 10 rebounds), Casper Ware (16), Alexey Shved (14 + 6 rebounds + 8 assists), Livio Jean-Charles (14 + 9 rebounds), Nikita Kurbanov (12)
Next games
Lokomotiv Kuban: road game versus MBA on February 14
CSKA: road game against UNICS on February 15
