CSKA defeated Lokomotiv Kuban in the Game of the Week at home – 92:91 (16:22, 24:20, 21:19, 31:30)
Game progress
CSKA has never lost at home this season, while Loko has not lost on the road. The game between the leaders promised to be tight and very tense. Although the Krasnodar team won the opening quarter, Anton Astapkovich and Ivan Ukhov helped the hosts turn things around. The game was hard with constant lead changes, and none of the opponents managed to get further 3-4 point lead. Loko controlled rebounds better, CSKA had better combination play. Kirill Temirov set the final score of the first half, Loko led – 42:40.
Key moment
The third quarter was not so productive, but in the fourth quarter CSKA twice took a 7-8 point lead with long-eange shots, which looked like a solid advantage in a game like this and both times Loko came back into the game with the help of tight defense.
The Krasnodar team had a chance to get the win with just under 2 seconds left to score the game-winning shot. But CSKA players made it as difficult as possible to put the ball into the game, forcing Isaiah Whaley to shoot halfcourt shot, which was missed. The Mosocw team ends Loko winning streak, but Andrei Vedischev team continues to lead the standings.
X-factor
CSKA shooters didn’t show a lot during 3 quarters, but appeared at the right moment in the final stretch of the game. In the fourth quarter, the Moscow team scored 4 three-pointers (more than in the entire game), which gave the hosts a decisive lead.
Facts
Andrei Vedischev got his first loss in the VTB League as head coach.
3 players updated season-highs: Kirill Temirov and Patrick Miller for Lokomotiv Kuban, and Aleksa Avramovic for CSKA.
Leaders
CSKA: Aleksa Avramovic (30 + 6 assists), Melo Trimble (14), Tonye Jekiri (14 + 6 rebounds), Livio Jean-Charles (10 + 6 rebounds).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Patrick Miller (30), Kirill Temirov (14), Isaiah Whaley (12 + 7 rebounds), Kirill Elatontsev (9 + 5 rebounds), B.J. Johnson (7 + 5 rebounds).
What’s next
CSKA: November 2 at home against Pari Nizhny Novgorod
Lokomotiv Kuban: November 3 at home versus Zenit
