Yekaterinburg and Krasnodar will host 2 regular season games on Saturday.
Uralmash (Yekaterinburg) vs Samara (Samara region)
Time: 15:00 (13:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Yekaterinburg, DIVS SAUSO
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
Uralmash: The win over MBA-MAI in the final round of December allowed the team to climb to the 5th place. Uralmash needs to beat Samara at home to strengthen in the Top 5. The leaders are in optimal shape, Jeremiah Martin remains the League best scorer and Hayden Dalton will play with special motivation against former teammates.
Samara: After the departure of internationals, Samara in late December lost more Aleksandr Gudumak and changed the head coach. Serious changes in the lineup affected the results – the Volga team lost last 4 games. The clash in Yekaterinburg will be Vladislav Konovalov debut as head coach and an opportunity to end the losing streak. Samara has good ball movement (Top 5 in assists per game) and Ilia Popov play in the paint. In addition, Egor Amosov and Danila Chikarev are making significant progress and their points could become an X-factor in the rivalry.
Lokomotiv Kuban (Krasnodar) vs PARMA (Perm Region)
Time: 15:00 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Krasnodar, Basket Hall
Broadcast: Match TV, Start Triumph, League website
Lokomotiv Kuban: The Krasnodar team successfully ended 2024 – after the win over CSKA, Andrei Vedischev team scored second 100 of the season against Pari NN. Loko will start the new year with a game against another principal rival – PARMA. The Perm team remains the only opponent that Loko hasn’t beaten this season, so the Krasnodar team has a special motivation. This time, in addition to the depth of the roster and the advantage in rebounds, steals and blocks, Lokomotiv will have the home court advantage, which can also help the team take revenge.
PARMA: The Perm team has shown a high level of long-range shooting throughout December and have won 3 of last 4 games. The team has already beaten the Krasnodar team twice this season. It won’t be easy to beat Loko on the road again, as the hosts is back in top shape after struggling and will be motivated to take revenge. But defense against Antonius Cleveland and Patrick Miller, combined with quality long-range shooting, could be the key to a third win over top opponent.
