Lokomotiv Kuban will host CSKA in the Game of the Week.
Place: Russia, Krasnodar, Basket Hall
Time: January 13, 2024, 14:30
Broadcast: TV Start, Match! Strana, League website
The season leader visits the League’s vice-champion! Who will win the Game of the Week in Krasnodar?
Rivalry history
Loko versus CSKA is one of the main rivlaries in the recent Russian basketball history. The Krasnodar team repeatedly upset the Moscow team during the regular season, but the biggest win was in the 2023 Playoffs.
In the Semifinals, Loko left CSKA without the Finals for the first time in history.
After the offseason, the teams have already played 2 more games: Loko knocked CSKA out in the SuperCup Quarterfinal (100:98 OT), not even Casper Ware with 44 points could save the Army team!
In the regular season, Loko and CSKA already played in Moscow, and Loko also got the win: the Moscow team twice came back into the game after a double-digit deficit, but the Krasnodar team managed to get CSKA the first loss of the season – 91:88.
This season
Despite the summer addings and leaders departure, CSKA has been in the lead since the first weeks of the season and has not give up the 1st place in the standings yet. Emil Rajkovic team has won 18 of 20 games: besides Loko, only PARMA has been able to beat the Army team at home.
Loko started the season not so strong, but gradually managed to overcome the decline and by the beginning of 2024 caught up with the Zenit. The Krasnodar team has a 6-game winning streak: Aleksander Sekulic team hasn’t lost since December 6. Lokomotiv Kuban got wins with 14.3 points difference on average.
Stats and numbers
CSKA is the season leader not only in the standings, but also in many stats. The Army team has the best offense in the League in both scoring (88.0 points) and shooting percentage (51.2% from the game, 59% two-pointers, 38.7% three-pointers, 81.8% free throws). In addition, the team has the most assists – 21.1 on average.
Loko is better than CSKA in rebounds. The Krasnodar team is second in rebounds (37.4), only PARMA is ahead. Lokomotiv is also in the Top-3 in steals (7.1).
Leaders
CSKA is the best in the regular season, but the Army team is winning due to teamwork. Amath M’Baye is not in the Top 20 in scoring (he averages 13.5 points per game). Melo Trimble (13.3) and Casper Ware (12.8) have similar stats.
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell (16.1 points) and Jalen Barford (15.1) stand out as offensive leaders for Loko.
Quote
«We have assembled a very high-quality Russian players in Loko now – I believe this is an obligatory and absolutely necessary part of the season» – Loko head coach Aleksander Sekulic is confident his team can compete for the VTB United League championship.
X-Factor
Andrey Martiuk.
The League’s best young player didn’t perform very well at the start of the season, but improved considerably since mid-December. In the last 5 games Martiuk has scored more than 10 points per game, and in the game with Zenit he became the main hero: 32 points and 6 rebounds. Together with Anton Astapkovic, he was named December’s co-MVP.
Of course, Loko young bigman will contribute and help his team to get the win in the game against the Moscow team.
