Lokomotiv-Kuban beat Avtodor at home – 104:89 (30:29, 27:24, 26:15, 21:21).
Top scorers
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Mantas Kalnietis (19 + 5 rebounds + 12 assists), Drew Gordon (18 + 9 rebounds), Mindaugas Kuzminskas (17), Nigel Williams-Goss (16 + 7 rebounds + 8 assists).
Avtodor: Gian Clavell (19), Dusan Ristic (16 + 5 rebounds), Zeljko Sakic (15).
Story
Lokomotiv-Kuban (11-6) after two consecutive victories are fighting for Top-3 seed. Avtodor (8-10) in the last game lost to Kalev and were eighth. Mindaugas Kuzminskas on Wednesday helped Krasnodar make it to EuroCup playoffs and was named week MVP of this tournament. He was active in the Loko’s starting 10 to 3 run. Saratov came back quickly via Zeljko Sakic’s makes. The rest of the quarter was even, the game promised to be high-scoring – 30:29 in hosts’ favor.
Avtodor’s coming lead was eliminated by Kuzminskas who scored 9 points in 2 minutes. Both teams used fast breaks and drives. Kuban hit 70% of two-pointers in the first half, the guests – 72%. By the half time Krasnodar were up ahead – 57:53.
Drew Gordon who has started this season in Avtodor after the big break scored 6 points in 1,5 minutes, Loko paced had a 8:2 run. Soon, after Vladislav Yemchenko long-range shot Krasnodar lead turned double digits (70:58). Nigel Williams-Goss helped the team save the momentum, by the final quarter the hosts were up by 15 – 83:68.
Key moment
Via Dusan Ristic and Markel Starks efforts Avtodor were close to force clutch. With 3 minutes left the guests cut the gap to 6 points (87:93). Kuban answered with Yemchenko three who created the space for his shot by himself. In the next possession Kevin Hervey was successful from downtown, Loko scored 100+ points for the third time this season.
Lokomotiv caught CSKA in wins number and beat Avtodor of the play-off spot, now PARMA are 8th.
Hero
Mantas Kalnietis. The Lithuanian got captain status due to Stanislav Ilnitskiy injury and had a spectacular game. In 35 minutes on the court Mantas scored 19 points (8/10 from the field), 5 rebounds, 12 assists and 31 efficiency points.
Stat
+18 – Loko’s rebounding advantage (41-23)
Comments
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
– It was important to prepare emotionally for this game after Trento. We had only 2 days for rest but we managed to approach the game in right conditions. We showed energy, good ball movement. Were leading confidently, however, Avtodor made 8:0 run in the fourth that made us lose the rhythm. The most important thing that we play team basketball now. We improved our rebounding, set good team chemistry, improved perimeter defense. We scored 100+ points once again but we want to allow 10 points less.
Avtodor head coach Gordie Herbert:
– At times we showed pretty good basketball this game. Hit our shots, were finding open teammates well but then we started to lose rebounds and it was crucial. Lokomotiv are extremely strong at offense, so we had to play careful at defense but we didn’t manage to do it. Congratulations to Loko on the victory and making EuroCup playoffs, I wish them to succeed there.
Next
Lokomotiv-Kuban: March 18 vs PARMA
Avtodor: March 23 vs Zenit
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