In the regular season game Lokomotiv-Kuban of Krasnodar host CSKA.
Where:
Russia, Krasnodar, Basket Hall (capacity 7500 spectators)
When:
April 17, 2021, 13:00 (13:00 MSK)
Broadcasts:
Match TV, VTB United League website
Frame from the past
2014/15 season: Loko forward Nikita Kurbanov, now playing for CSKA, tries to score from above through Kyle Hines
Face to face
CSKA vs. Loko is one of the most important rivalries in the recent history of Russian basketball. Kuban’s representatives have long carried the unofficial title of CSKA’s most uncomfortable opponent in the regular season. Since switching to a full two-round schedule in 2014, Loko have drawn most of their matchups against CSKA.
The exception was the last two years of play, when CSKA won twice (in the 2014/15 season, Loko managed to win both games in the regular season). In the first round of the current draw, CSKA won at home on October 4 with a score of 94-80. Loko’s last victory over CSKA took place quite a long time ago – on January 7, 2018 in Moscow (90:79).
The overall score of the meetings within the League is 21-8 in favor of the Red and Blue.
Last week
On April 11 CSKA won Astana at home 100-77. On Wednesday, CSKA concluded the Euroleague regular season with a postponed game against Panathinaikos in Moscow, 93-86.
On April 12, Lokomotiv-Kuban defeated Tsmoki-Minsk on the road, 101-75.
Intrigue
At the end of the regular season, UNICS (15-5), CSKA (16-6) and Lokomotiv-Kuban (16-6) are fighting for 2-4 places. That, along with the battle for the last playoff place, is the most exciting conclusion to the regular-season marathon. The ending promises plenty of action, given that Krasnodar still has two games left to play – both against its biggest rivals. The Kazan club will play four games, while CSKA has only one meeting with Nizhny Novgorod scheduled. The outcome of their rivalry, as well as the advantage that would come with being in sole possession of second place, is unpredictable. Perhaps the second team in the regular season would meet with Khimki in the first round, which would not be a very attractive prospect. On the other hand, finishing 4th could turn into a series with regular-season winner Zenit in the second round.
The decisive games are coming up, no one will have an easy time, and the teams will play to win. The opponents have been fine in that regard recently. Loko has won seven straight in the VTB United League, while CSKA has 10 wins in their last 11 games in all tournaments.
Home court advantage
Lokomotiv-Kuban’s last win over CSKA in Krasnodar was on December 4, 2016 (83-74). Including one playoff game, the series of four consecutive losses to CSKA in Basket Hall followed: 66:74, 75:78, 76:93, 71:77.
This season Loko is very good at home – 10-1. CSKA is 8-3 on the road.
Future
On April 11, Lokomotiv-Kuban and CSKA played each other on the junior level. In the final game of the VTB Youth League Final Eight, CSKA-Junior defeated Lokomotiv-Kuban-2, 89-65.
CSKA won the Youth League for the fifth time in history and regained the title for the first time since 2018. Lokomotiv-Kuban-2 should be happy, too: For the first time in history, the Krasnodar team won youth championship medals.
Stats
Fans have a right to expect a productive game. Lokomotiv (91.3 points) and CSKA (92.7) lead the league in average points scored. The opponents are leading the league in rebounding too: Krasnodar is in first place (38.2), while CSKA is second (36.8).
CSKA leads in average 3-point percentage (40.6%). Loko is in before the last place (35.6%).
Both teams are quite good on the ball. CSKA are committing 12.0 losses per game and are on 13th place, while the Kuban, with a 12.8 mark, are in 10th place.
Familiar faces
One former Krasnodar player plays for CSKA – Nikita Kurbanov returned to the Moscow club in 2015 after a strong season in Krasnodar.
Loko head coach Evgeny Pashutin has strong ties with CSKA. Pashutin played for CSKA and later was an assistant and led CSKA.
Duel
Nigel Williams-Goss vs. Gabriel Lundberg.
Nigel Williams-Goss vs. Gabriel Lundberg.
Williams-Goss and Lundberg joined their teams as the season progressed through the winter, in January and February respectively. Another thing they have in common is that both have already found their place in Loko and CSKA’s lineups and play prominent roles in the offense. The American and the Dane are important both in terms of organization and scoring.
Both players approach the game after being named to last week’s symbolic top five. There is a high probability that one of them will be in the top five in the upcoming week.
Comment
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
– CSKA is a balanced team that plays aggressive basketball and is in good shape right now. We need to stop their breakthrough, put up a good fight and tough defense for their leaders and make their free throws as difficult as possible. I’d like to mention Clyburn, Voigtmann, Lundberg and Shengelia, who are on fire right now. Against a team like this it is very important to control the rebounding and to play concentrated on defense for the whole 40 minutes. We have to be ready for the CSKA pressure and be successful in coming out of it, showing our distinctive quick transition from defense to offense, moving the ball well, finding open partners and executing attacks. In the last game we averaged over 20 assists and rebounding well, so we have to keep playing that smart team basketball. We have a chance to go higher in the VTB United League standings and we have to use it. We look forward to seeing all the fans at the game on Saturday, we really need your support!
