What to watch for this weekend in the VTB United League.
Saturday, February 4
Lokomotiv-Kuban (Russia) – Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Time: 5:40 PM (5:40 MSK)
Place: Basket Hall, Krasnodar, Russia
TV: Match! Nash sport, VTB-League.com
Lokomotiv-Kuban: Krasnodar is rolling, not counting Wednesday’s defeat in the Eurocup against Gran Canaria, the club’s first setback in the Top 16. As for the VTB United League, Sasa Obradovic’s men are the top threat to 1st-place CSKA, riding an 11-game winning streak.
After the game against Gran Canaria, Obradovic said his men weren’t aggressive enough. That better change on Saturday. Loko boasts the League’s stingiest defense, but the visitors are averaging nearly 90 points per outing.
Nizhny Novgorod: Nizhny may have played its best game of the season against Avtodor last Saturday, posting 100+ points for the 4th time this season and putting on a defensive master class. Arturs Stalbergs’ club has struggled to stop teams all season, but held Saratov to 68 points, securing a big win in the race for the final playoff spot.
Injuries, however, continue to plague the squad. Maxim Grigoryev had to undergo another operation, while All-Star point guard Ivan Strebkov suffered an injury in the loss to Zenit in the Eurocup. Nizhny will be short-handed in the backcourt in Krasnodar.
Sunday, February 5
Enisey (Russia) – Parma (Russia)
Time: 4:10 PM (12:10 MSK)
Place: Arena Sever, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
TV: VTB-League.com
Enisey: Krasnoyarsk caused a stir last week, taking down 10-3 UNICS at home. Enisey was able to hold Kazan to 66 points, nearly a season-low for the visitors.
With the victory, Krasnoyarsk snapped a four-game skid and carved out some much-needed breathing room in 8th place. After a heart-breaking loss to Lokomotiv a week earlier, Enisey more than earned the win over UNICS.
Parma: Perm continues to play hard, but can’t quite get over the hump and secure a win. Against Kalev, Parma trailed by as much as 25, before storming within five in the final minutes.
Enisey shouldn’t take Parma lightly. Between the Europe Cup and VTB League away games, Krasnoyarsk has been putting on the miles. Parma will be much better rested, while guard Charles Barton is expected to make his debut, giving the visitors some extra depth.
Astana (Kazakhstan) – Kalev (Estonia)
Time: 4:00 PM (1:00 MSK)
Place: SC Velotrek, Astana, Kazakhstan
TV: VTB-League.com
Astana: Astana had been flying high in 6th place, only a few games back of the top-five, but a three-game skid has dropped the team into 7th place, half a game up on Enisey.
Entering the season, Astana boasted an 8-0 record against Kalev, though the Estonians broke through with a win at home in late October. In search of revenge, Astana will likely try to slow the tempo, minimize fast breaks and dominate the glass. That’s how Ilias Papatheodorou’s men kept it close against CSKA for three quarters last week.
Kalev: Tallinn got an important win over Parma, despite giving up a big lead late. Despite Kalev’s 3-11 record, Astana should be wary. Apart from the win totals, these two teams have very similar statistics. The biggest difference has been schedules. Kalev has played a league-leading nine games on the road, with only one victory, while Astana has only left home five times.
Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus) – UNICS (Russia)
Time: 5:00 PM (5:00 MSK)
Place: Minsk Arena, Minsk, Belarus
TV: VTB-League.com
Tsmoki-Minsk: Minsk gets to enjoy a three-game home stand after three straight on the road. A little winning streak could get Tsmoki back in the playoff race, but it won’t be easy with Kazan coming to town on Sunday.
UNICS boasts a stingy defense, while Tsmoki is second-last in turnovers (15.4 per game). Kazan does not forgive mistakes, so Minsk will need to be very careful with the ball.
UNICS: Kazan’s frenetic schedule may be catching up with the squad. Between the Euroleague’s expanded schedule and a spate of injuries, Evgeny Pashutin has been dealt a difficult hand. After cruising through the first half of the VTB League season, UNICS has dropped three in a row, including last week’s upset in Krasnoyarsk.
Starting point guard Quino Colom won’t be available in Minsk, while Evgeny Voronov is questionable. UNICS is also coming off a difficult loss to Olympiacos in the Euroleague.
CSKA (Russia) – Avtodor (Russia)
Time: 5:00 PM (5:00 MSK)
Place: USH CSKA, Moscow, Russia
TV: VTB-League.com
CSKA: Avtodor gave CSKA a scare earlier in the season. Playing in Saratov, CSKA struggled against the home team’s frontcourt, squeaking out a one-point win in overtime.
Avtodor could have used the win. Saratov is on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs, while CSKA is flying high in 1st place. The Army Men could use a win, though, after falling to Fenerbahce in Turkey, where they were without Milos Teodosic and Viktor Khryapa.
Avtodor: Nick Minnerath and Tomislav Zubcic enjoyed monster games in the first meeting with CSKA, combining for 41 points and 20 rebounds. The Croat has moved on, now playing for Nizhny Novgorod, but Minnerath continues to dominate, averaging 21 points and nine rebounds per game. Avtodor needs Minnerath to put together another big game in Moscow, if it wants any chance of springing an upset.
Time: 5:00 PM (5:00 MSK)
Place: Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
TV: VTB-League.com
VEF: After the loss to Khimki, Janis Gailitis said his team played defense like it was in an All-Star game. Averaging 82.4 points per game, VEF gave up 104 to Khimki.
It doesn’t get any easier on Sunday. Zenit boasts one of the League’s quickest, most dangerous offenses. Riga already lost once to St. Petersburg, but the Latvians will be at home on Sunday, where they’ve only lost once this season.
Zenit: Known for up-tempo offense, Zenit put together two defensive masterpieces last week, holding Tsmoki to 56 points in the VTB League and Nizhny Novgorod to 66 in the Eurocup.
St. Petersburg has won five straight in the League and has a chance to move into 3rd place with another victory, passing up idle Khimki.
