Lokomotiv Kuban will host CSKA in the Game of the Wek on Sunday.
Place: Russia, Krasnodar, Basket Hall
Time: December 22, 2024, 15:00 (Moscow time)
Broadcast: Match TV, Start Triumph, League website
Rivalry
In the first game of the season in Moscow, CSKA ended Loko winning streak of 9 games at the start, stopping Andrei Vedischev on his way to a record-breaking coaching debut. The loss in late October definitely had an impact on the Krasnodar team. Immediately after, the team lost 2 more games in a row.
«Oh, we’re really looking forward to the game with CSKA! We will take revenge!» – forward Kirill Temirov outlined his desire to win.
Last game
The first game of the season between the teams delighted League fans with intrigue as there was ending. The hosts scored 4 long-range shots in 4th quarter. That was enough for CSKA to win by a minimal lead – 92:91.
The coaches had different opinions about the game. Andreas Pistiolis felt that the Moscow team «controlled the game» and could have achieved more advantage. Andrei Vedischev attributed the result to «a few bad decisions» in the end.
A second game between the rivals could clarify the situation.
Mood
December was difficult for both teams. The game with CSKA will be the 2nd in 4 home games series for the Krasnodar team. Prior to that, Loko played 4 road games. The road tour ended 2-2. The team lost to Samara and PARMA.
«Sometimes such hard defeats are good for you: they help you awaken the fire inside you to move forward with new energy», Karvel Anderson shared after the sensational loss in Samara – 71:72.
The shakeup wasn’t enough. Andrei Vedischev found the reason in «emotional and physical fatigue» as the long road trip to Perm, but confirmed «loss of concentration».
Loko head coach spoke separately about the importance of playing for the full 40 minutes after beating MBA-MAI. The Krasnodar team accomplished this task at home, restoring optimism ahead of the game versus the League leader.
CSKA regained first place in the standings this week due to Zenit loss. The team is confidently going through the season with an 18-2 record. But since the national team games break in November, the head coach has regularly expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of play. Andreas Pistiolis calls the Moscow team performance «unstable» and «not up to the expected level,» expecting a return to the rhythm of the season beginning. These problems became critical in CSKA last game against the top team.
Matchups with rivals
Pistiolis expressed fears that Zenit would not forgive CSKA mistakes. That’s exactly what happened in the Game of the Week on December 7. The loss marked the Moscow team exposure to weakness.
«Long winning streaks are bad for the team’s mood. There is a feeling that many players are beginning to look for the limit of strength, that minimum level of effort that will still allow to get wins. And a loss to the contender simply has to shake up the team,» CSKA President Andrey Vatutin commented on the result.
The Moscow team corrected in a recent game against MBA-MAI, prompting Pistiolis to note «an energy similar to early season games».
Loko was able to defeat UNICS (87:75) on December 1.
The Krasnodar team managed to gain a significant advantage in the 2nd and 4th quarters. Andrei Vedischev made beating the Top 4 teams his main goal. Perhaps that attitude played a cruel joke on Lokomotiv in the rest of December’s games.
Numbers
CSKA leads in the rivalry history – 36-16.
In the game against MBA-MAI, the Moscow team earned the 400th VTB League win. It took 475 games to achieve.
CSKA continues to lead the League in scoring (88.8) and field-goal percentage (50.5%), three-point percentage (41.2%) and free-throws percentage (81.8%).
Lokomotiv Kuban ranks first in average rebounds (38.8), steals (9.6) and blocks (4.7).
Duel
The October game was the clash between guards. Aleksa Avramovic and Patrick Miller led their teams and both finished with 30 points.
The players approach the Game of the Week as leaders. Both rank first in their teams in scoring and assists.
Avramovic was included in the Team of the Week and equaled his opponent in the number of nominations (4).
The Serbian player surpassed Miller in popularity on the VTB United League website. Avramovic page was the second most visited this season. Lokomotiv Kuban point guard did not make the Top 10. But he was supported by teammate Vsevolod Ishchenko, who came in first place.
Casper Ware unexpectedly added additional motivation before the game. In an interview during the week, he was asked about the best players the guard has been on the court with, Casper named 5 from the NBA. Perhaps this will cause some of his teammates or opponents in Sunday’s clash to try to challenge that opinion.
