Lokomotiv-Kuban host UNICS in a regular season game.
Where:
Basket hall (7500 seats), Krasnodar, Russia
When:
November 1, 2020, 13:00 (13:00 MSK)
Broadcast:
Match TV, VTB United League site
Look in the past
2014/15 season, Keith Langford (UNICS) is looking for a temmate on the perimeter after a drive
Face to face
UNICS and Lokomotiv have played a whole load of games over the years in VTB League and Europe. Last season, Krasnodar won at home 86:77 after a series of unsuccessful attempts. Their previous victory over Kazan had happened 893 days before that.
In 2018/19 season, UNICS won twice in the League, and outplayed the rivals in Eurocup quarterfinals (2-1). In VTB League their overall record is 14-11 for Kuban.
Last week
Both teams were busy with Eurocup. Krasnodar downed Monaco on the road (88:72). With previous game against Zielona Gora in Poland, and the complications of pandemic travelling, Evgeny Pashutin’s side had to survive a tough trip: 6 countries in 8 days! And the result is perfect: two wins of two.
UNICS could not survive Joventud who came to Basket hall without Ante Tomic and Pau Ribas. Dramatic game, with a last-second equalizer from Isaiah Canaan, but the Spanyards won in the OT (91:93.
Intrigue
Lokomotiv (4-1) and UNICS (2-0) started the season well, but it’s still too early. The teams haven’t played many games, and only Krasnodar have faced a contending team (CSKA on October 4th). This game will define the table positioning and the strategy.
However, today Loko looks like a front-runner compared to UNICS and their offseason changes. 4-1 record holds in both League and Eurocup (2-2 for the Green-whites). Six players reached double-digit score in Monte Carlo and Zielona Gora. Their last loss was on October 9th, later followed by 5 straight wins. Loko paced up, and they play at home.
В первый день ноября нас ждет Матч недели: @unicsbasket приедет в гости к @lokobasket!
Алан Уильямс против Джордана Моргана, Мантас Калниетис против Джамара Смита, Евгений Пашутин против Димитриса Прифтиса, Краснодар против Казани – баскетбол продолжается 🏀 pic.twitter.com/EWxprBKoJh
— VTB League (@VTBUL) October 31, 2020
Pandemic
Generally, the two are doing well: only one positive test in UNICS (announced on October 24th). Without major date changes and long waiting, the teams have practice and rhythm for display.
Leader
Alan Williams looks phenomenal. The center scored 34 points and 13 rebounds against Zielona Gora (13+13 against Monaco). The American leads League’s rankings in points scored (24.5), rebounds (13.2) and efficiency (31.2).
Stat
UNICS show great 3-pointers rate: 48.1% and 2nd place. Kuban’s signature skill is teamplays and movement: 22 assists, 2nd place.
Familiar faces
Loko’s head coach Evgeny Pashutin coached UNICS (2010-2012 and 2014-2017).
UNICS’ forward Pavel Antipov played in Krasnodar in 2017/18 season.
Duel
Jordan Crawford against Isaiah Canaan.
Crawford and Canaan are both known in the NBA. Loko player spent 9 seasons averaging 12.2 points and 3.1 assists, Kazan’s guard had 10 seasons with 8.1 points and 1.9 assists. Both players are getting used to new settings and still haven’t revealed their full potential, but already play significant roles in their teams’ offense.
Speech
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
“UNICS are an aggressive team who play well both in the paint and on the perimeter. Canaan and Smith fire from the arc, Morgan, Brown and White are great in 3-second zone. Russian players like Kolesnikov, Klimenko and Zhbanov can score and press. We have to be physical, contest their shots, make them play one on one. Our offense must be smart, move the ball and create shots. This is a game of 40 minutes. We’ll fight to win!”
UNICS head coach Dimitris Priftis:
“Lokomotiv play fast, shoot and score a lot. We need good defense, control the rhythm, don’t allow fast break points and rebound. Both teams rely on their shots.”
