Zenit St. Petersburg will face Lokomotiv Kuban in the Semifinal series to 4 wins.
Time and place
Game #1. May 5, 19:30 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena
Game #2. May 7, 20:00 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena
Game #3. May 11, 14:00 (Moscow time), Krasnodar, Basket-Hall.
Game #4. May 13, 20:00 (Moscow time), Krasnodar, Basket-Hall
Game #5. May 16, 19:00 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena*.
Game #6. May 19, 20:00 (Moscow time), Krasnodar, Basket-Hall*.
Game #7. May 22, 19:30 (Moscow time), St. Petersburg, CSC Arena *.
* – if necessary
Regular Season
Zenit: 1st place (39 wins and 5 losses)
Lokomotiv Kuban: 4th place (32 wins and 12 losses).
Rivalry
In the regular season, Loko lacked stability. However, the Krasnodar team always had good games against leaders.The rivalry with Zenit in the season was a great confirmation. The rivals have 2 wins each, and had wins only at home.
Tense ending were in 3 of 4 games. The first time the opponents played on October 6 in St. Petersburg. Antonius Cleveland was the hero. At the decisive moment, Loko guard scored 8 points, which secured the win – 83:76.
The St. Petersburg team took revenge a month later. On November 3 in Krasnodar, defense won the game. During the final quarter the guests managed to take the lead, but dried up the game in the end and kept the lead – 77:71.
But in the next game in Krasnodar, the offense became the key factor. This game was bright and dramatic. Georgy Zhbanov became the hero of the day with game-winning shot – 82:79.
But perhaps the third game was the most significant. The beginning of the game did not promise anything unusual, it was equal. After the hlaftime, the Krasnodar team literally crushed the opponent and turned a 5-point lead into 29 in just under 7 minutes – 78:49. In the remaining time, the hosts were able to reduce the deficit, but didn’t come any closer. Loko took important win – 117:98.
That loss motivated Zenit to make changes. Soon Omari Spellman left the team, and a few days later Xavier Moon was seriously injured. Alexey Shved and Okaro White joined, and the game was transformed. Xavier Pascual team started a record winning streak, which continues to this day with 23 games.
Why can Zenit win?
In the second half of the season, the St. Petersburg team has picked up excellent pace and entered the Playoffs with winning streak. Roster changes and Xavier Pascual ability to transform the team helped Zenit stabilize the game.
Zenit has a lot of advantages. First of all, stability. The St. Petersburg team has been playing quality basketball for a long time.
This is largely due to the class of players, as well as experience. The Krasnodar team youth has a lot of energy and excitement, but it’s often skill and confidence that makes the difference in Playoffs. And Xavier Pascual’s team has a lot more.
Andrei Vedischev made a brilliant debut as Loko coach. But Xavier Pascual has a lot of experience not just in postseason games, but winning the VTB League.
Why can Lokomotiv Kuban win?
The Krasnodar team approach the Semifinals as a dark horse. The opponent is the formal favorite. Andrei Vedischev team features a lot of young players who might not feel too comfortable under pressure.
Emotional and athletic basketball has been Loko trademark for several years now. And it can give the Krasnodar team success against Zenit. In regular season games, Loko managed get Zenit into fast-paced game. In case of making this in this series, the clashes will be interesting and unpredictable.
The regular season games gave the impression that Loko is the most uncomfortable opponent for Zenit. The St. Petersburg team’s positional basketball doesn’t fit in with Loko aggressive style. Tough defense, constant pressure on the opponent and a quick transition from defense to offense should help the Krasnodar team to reach the Finals.
X-Factor
The key factor of this series has to be the three-pointers. The teams have a opposed approach to this.
In the Quarterfinals against PARMA, the St. Petersburg team made almost half of three-point shots (96 of 199 – 48.2%). At the same time, the team showed an excellent long-range shooting percentage (36.5%), which was one of the key reasons for winning.
The Krasnodar team also used three-pointers, but not so good as the opposing team (90 of 277 – 32.5%).But this element is also important for Loko. The Krasnodar team played 2 worst games in the series with Uralmash when failed to made long-range shots (17.2% and 23.1%). In the other 2 games, the Krasnodar team had no problems (47.8% and 40%).
Facts
Zenit has a 23-game winning streak. Only CSKA had more consecutive wins in the 2022/23 season (24 wins).
Zenit hasn’t lost at home for 12 games, the last time the St. Petersburg team lost at home on January 11 to Lokomotiv Kuban.
The Krasnodar team has the best record in the regular season against Top-4 teams (7-5).
