Lokomotiv Kuban will face Uralmash in the Quarterfinal series to 3 wins.
Time and Place
Game #1. April 22, 20:00 (Moscow time), Krasnodar, Basket Hall
Game #2. April 24, 20:00 (Moscow time), Krasnodar, Basket-Hall
Game #3. April 27, 14:00 (Moscow time), Yekaterinburg, DIVS.
Game #4. April 29, 17:30 (Moscow time), Yekaterinburg, DIVS*.
Game #5. May 2, 14:00 (Moscow time), Krasnodar, Basket-Hall *.
* – if necessary
Regular Season
Lokomotiv Kuban: 4th place (32 wins and 12 losses).
Uralmash: 5th place (24 wins and 20 losses).
Rivalry history
The head-to-head between the teams promises a hot fight in the Playoffs. This season, the teams have ended rivalry with 2 wins each. A double-digit score difference was only in the first game. Loko won at home – 91:80. The team made the lead only in the final quarter.
The fate of the rest of the game was decided only in the very end. In December in Yekaterinburg, at a key moment, the Krasnodar team worked great on defense and was able to keep the lead – 90:83. The Yekaterinburg team took revenge in March. Patrick Miller missed free throw with 13 seconds left was fatal. Loko leader could have tied the score, but miss allowed Uralmash to retain the lead and win – 81:79. The hero of the last game between the teams was Ilia Popov. In that game, the center scored 26 points, including a decisive shot 14 seconds before the end – 95:91.
Why can Lokomotiv Kuban win?
The Krasnodar team had an uneven regular season. Games against the leaders were followed by unexpected losses to weaker opponents. But in the Playoff games, Loko must pull it together. We saw that last season. Back then, Loko faced PARMA in the first round, but the Krasnodar team handled a dangerous opponent with great confidence.
This year, the Krasnodar team will face another Ural team with big ambitions, which on paper is not that much inferior to Loko. But Andrei Vedischev team will have a lot of advantages.
The first of them will be home court advantage. In the case of Lokomotiv, it doesn’t look like a formal moment. Traveling to Krasnodar is not the easiest task. The road to city now takes a lot of energy from Loko opponents.
Experience in big games and Playoff series also will play key role. This aspect is often underestimated. But in reality, it matters a lot. The Krasnodar team won’t break down if something goes wrong. And considering that most games against Uralmash in the regular season were decided in tight endings, the psychology factor could also be key.
Loko roster still looks more impressive than the opponent’s. There are star internationals, experienced Russian players, and young talents who are already showing a high level. The quality of performers should also be one of the main factors in Loko future wins.
Why can Uralmash win?
Last season, Uralmash was one step away from a sensation, stretching Quarterfinal series against Zenit to 5 games. Now Rostislav Vergun team is ready to move on and has all the resources to do so.
In the current regular season, the Yekaterinburg team faced similar problems as the opponent. Throughout the season, the team suffered from injuries and shook up the roster. But by the Playoffs, Uralmash stabilized the situation and finished signing newcomers earlier than Loko.
The roster aspect is really important in this series. The depth and the quality of players allow Uralmash to cut Loko from using fast basketball. Rostislav Vergun team can maintain the own fast-paced game and fight Loko. In addition, Uralmash is able to freeze the tempo, forcing opponent to play slower.
Also, the coaching staff will be expecting a bright game from leaders. Jeremiah Martin was the Top Scorer of Regular Season and should continue in the Playoffs. Hayden Dalton joined Uralmash very well. The versatile forward Javonte Douglas is always capable of surprising. But perhaps the main hope is for Octavius Ellis to wake up. Due to injuries, this center looked very ineffective in the regular season. But the Playoffs will be a great opportunity for him to prove once again that he is an extra-class player.
X-factor
This season, both teams have shaken up rosters quite a bit. And made the last changes not so long ago – in March. So the newcomer factor can play huge role.
In this regard, the Yekaterinburg team has a slight advantage. Ivan Pynko, Anton Kardanakhishvili and Ilia Popov, who came to the team last, have been in the Russian basketball system for a long time. Therefore, they need less time to adapt. This was confirmed by Uralmash recent games, where the newcomers felt quite comfortable.
The situation is a little more difficult for the Krasnodar team. For both Tahjere McCall and John Jenkins, this is their first experience in the VTB League. They don’t fit into Loko system as quickly. McCall is doing a little better, and the Krasnodar team seems to have chosen him not only for the quality, but also for his temperament. Jenkins, on the other hand, remains an enigma. The announced elite sniper has yet to prove himself in offense. But that’s where the potential for growth lies. If this player activates all of his offensive talents, it could be the key to Loko wins in the entire Quarterfinal series.
Facts
The teams have beaten each other 3 times in the VTB League. Uralmash won for the first time in Krasnodar in the last round of the regular season.
Loko is the regular-season leader in steals (9.8 per game), blocks (4.7), free throws (185) and free throws attempted (25.5).
Krasnodar has the best record against Top-4 teams (7-5).
Jeremiah Martin (18.2 points) is the bse scorer of the regular season for Uralmash.
Uralmash has the second best scoring starting five in the League (51 points on average).
