Lokomotiv Kuban beat Astana at home – 127:84 (30:22, 28:25, 34:23, 35:14).
Game progress
Andrey Martiuk scored 2 points on the first possession, after which the teams struggled to make shots for a while. Astana made several turnovers in the first 4 minutes.
B.J. Johnson added some energy to the game, but Karvel Anderson entrance into the game played important role. The former Astana guard made 4 three-pointers in 4 minutes, scoring 12 points and giving Loko the lead. The Krasnodar team was also confident in rebounding.
Loko controlled most of the second quarter. Vladislav Emchenko 3 free throws brought the lead to 20 points. Toward the end of the first half, the guests got T.J. Starks and Daniel Utomi involved, and Danila Pokhodiaev block prevented Karvel Anderson from making 6 of 6 three-pointers. The hosts had 11-point lead by the halftime.
Key moment
Astana eventually failed to put up a serious fight against Loko, only briefly coming within 10 points. The third quarter was memorable for the hosts solid play and Antonius Cleveland self-alley dunk .
Fotis Takianos tried to motivate his players, but was suspended after a second technical near the end of the game, when the Krasnodar team had full control. Loko managed to create a significant score difference in the second half.
X-factor
Lokomotiv Kuban showed more organized team play. All players on the roster scored points. The Krasnodar team outscored the opponent in assists 34-14.
Both teams had good three-point shooting percentage: 51.6% by Loko, 50% for Astana.
Facts
Lokomotiv Kuban set new team scoring record 127 points. The previous one (121 points) lasted since February 2016.
The win over Astana with 43 points difference became the season-high. Loko surpassed CSKA result versus Uralmash (98:56, 42 points).
The last Astana win in Krasnodar was in December 2018.
Leaders
Lokomotiv Kuban: Karvel Anderson (19), Antonius Cleveland (16 + 6 assists), Kirill Elatontsev (14), Andrey Martiuk (14 + 5 rebounds).
“Astana: T.J. Starks (22 + 5 assists), Daniel Utomi (20), James Murray-Boyles (18), Danila Pokhodiaev (15 + 7 rebounds).
What’s next
Lokomotiv Kuban: September 29 on the road against MBA-MAI
Astana: September 29 on the road versus PARMA
