Moscow, Kazan and Perm will host 3 regular season games on Sunday.
CSKA (Moscow) vs Samara (Samara Region)
Time: 13:00 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Moscow, Megasport.
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
CSKA: After 10 straight wins, CSKA is close to peak shape – Andreas Pistiolis team has scored 110 points in the last 2 games, showing good offensive variation. The Moscow team will have a crucial game in St. Petersburg next week, so the clash with Samara will be an opportunity to build confidence before the road trip. CSKA fans have every reason to expect a continuation of winning streak – the team has better stats and has never lost to the Volga team.
Samara: Drazen Anzulovic team has already managed to win in Astana and return to the 7th place of the standings. But it will be extremely difficult for the team to stay – there are 3 games against Top-5 opponents ahead, the first of which will be CSKA. In Moscow, it will be important for the Volga team to stay focused on defense for all 40 minutes, and to find an offensive leader, which Anton Kardanakhishvili is capable of becoming. For the Russian guard, the game will have a special importance.
UNICS (Kazan) vs Lokomotiv Kuban (Krasnodar)
Time: 15:00 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Kazan, Basket Hall
Broadcast: Match TV, League website
UNICS: Before the break, the Kazan team confidently beat Enisey and Samara, retaining status as Loko main pursuer. With a win, UNICS can return to the Top 3 and break a 4-game losing streak against Top 4 teams. Velimir Perasovic team lost to Loko in the first round, but the home crowd will support the team in the upcoming game.
Lokomotiv Kuban: The krasnodar team will have a 4-game road trip, starting in Kazan. A crucial showdown with UNICS, which has been playing quality defense this season, will be another test for Loko and a chance to finally gain confidence after a disappointing streak in early November. Lokomotiv has better rebounding, blocks and average efficiency.
PARMA (Perm Region) vs Uralmash (Yekaterinburg)
Time: 18:00 (16:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Perm, UDS Molot
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
PARMA: A difficult schedule resulted in 4-game losing streak, which the Perm team will try to end in the Ural derby. The team’s offense is functioning at a good level – PARMA scored 91 points on the road versus CSKA (18 points above the season average). In the upcoming clash, PARMA will need to keep its rhythm Iin offense and find a way to guard Jeremiah Martin and Stanley Whittaker, who form the best scoring backcourt duo in the League.
Uralmash: Despite Anton Glazunov, Octavius Ellis and Javonte Douglas injuries, the Yekaterinburg team has 4 wins in the last 5 games. In case of a triumph in Perm, Uralmash will secure a place in the Top 5, so the team goes on the road with a special attitude. It won’t be easy to get a win at UDS Molot, but the guests will have an advantage in the paint (Uralmash is in the top-3 in rebounding) in addition to the individual skill of their leaders.
