Game Of The Week: Defending Ambition

Lokomotiv-Kuban Krasnodar hosts UNICS Kazan in the Game of the Week.

Who:
Lokomotiv-Kuban, 2014-15 VTB United League semifinalists
vs.
UNICS, 2014-15 VTB United League quarterfinalists

Where:
Basket Hall (capacity 7,500), Krasnodar, Russia

When:
4:00 PM (4:00 PM MSK), December 13, 2015

TV:
NTV+, United League TV

Face to Face
Lokomotiv and UNICS have played each other in the VTB United League, Russian league and Russian Cup, as well as the Eurocup quarterfinals last season. Lokomotiv-Kuban defeated UNICS on the road in Game 1 of the playoff series, 87-78, only to drop Game 2 at home, 79-58, and get eliminated from European competition.

Looking back at other big meetings, you have to start with the 2012 VTB United League playoff semifinals. Kazan guard Henry Domercant hit a game-winner with two seconds left, lifting UNICS over Lokomotiv, 87-86. The Railwaymen took revenge the following season, defeating UNICS 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The two clubs also met in the 2014 Russian Cup finals with Kazan coming out on top, 159-121, over two games.

Last season, Lokomotiv went 2-0 against UNICS during the regular season, winning 74-72 in Krasnodar and 60-50 in Kazan. The two teams then met in the playoff quarterfinals, where Lokomotiv swept UNICS in convincing fashion, 3-0. Kazan holds a 15-12 edge in the all-time series, but the last five games have belonged to Krasnodar.

Looking Back

Intrigue
Lokomotiv and UNICS played in the Euroleague and Eurocup, respectively , earlier in the week. Krasnodar defeated Karsiyaka on the road and Kazan got a win over Buducnost at home. Both Lokomotiv and UNICS have guaranteed berths in the next round of their respective competitions, but the Railwaymen have struggled to find success in the VTB United League, currently 7th in the standings with a 5-4 record. Georgios Bartzokas's men have losses to Nymburk, Bisons, CSKA and Khimki and can't afford another defeat on Sunday. UNICS, meanwhile, has won eight of its last nine after dropping the season opener to Tsmoki-Minsk and holds a two and a half game lead on Krasnodar in the standings.

UNICS's Evgeny Pashutin coached at Lokomotiv from 2012-2014, bringing tough, hard-nosed defense to the Krasnodar club. Current Lokomotiv coach Georgio Bartzokas has a similar approach with these two teams ranked in the top-3 in defense.

Kazan also has two players with experience in Krasnodar: Valery Likhodei and Anton Ponkrashov. Meanwhile, Krasnodar captain Sergey Bykov played last season at UNICS. The veteran guard has never worked well with Pashutin, leaving Kazan over the summer after the team decided not to extend his contract.

Question
Who will attack better from the perimeter?

The importance of the 3-point shot increases every season and Loko has tried to keep pace. Krasnodar is second in the league in 3-point attempts (26.6), but 9th in 3-point percentage (36.4%). Kazan has an old-school approach, attempting only 20.1 3's per game. At the same time, UNICS converts at a high clip, ranking second in the league at 42.3%. Both teams have talented outside shooters and stretch-4's. Which approach will be more effective in the Game of the Week: Loko's mass assault or Kazan's patient attack?

Duel
Evgeny Voronov and Sergey Bykov (Lokomotiv-Kuban) vs. Keith Langford (UNICS).

Khimki head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis said that Langford had played his best game in 10 years after UNICS defeated Moscow Region in a recent game. Langford disputed the claim, but there's no question he's playing at an extremely high level this season. Krasnodar will send its two best perimeter defenders against Langford. The American guard can score in practically any situation, so Voronov and Bykov will need to be extremely focused.

Quotes
Lokomotiv-Kuban head coach Georgios Bartzokas:
- UNICS is a very talented team. Kazan has a great selection of options on offense and they know how to play defense. This will be our third straight big game in a week, but we need to be tough and rise to the challenge in front of the home fans.

UNICS head coach Evgeny Pashutin:
- We're facing a tough road game. It's going to be a battle between two physical teams. We need to aggressive on defense, slow down Kuban's leaders and mess up their rhythm if we want to win. Everyone is finally healthy, but that doesn't mean we'll have an easy time in Krasnodar. Loko is very dangerous in front of its home crowd.

Prediction
- I played on both teams, so I don't think it would be right to cheer for either team, - says 2007 EuroBasket champion Nikolai Padius. - I'm confident the fans will enjoy a terrific game. It won't be any less exciting than the recent contest in Khimki.

As for the game, I don't doubt the Kranodar fans. They'll be an extra player on the court, which gives Loko an advantage. It's impossible to give less than 100% in front of your supporters. I do, however, think Loko was affected by the double overtime loss against Khimki. Personally, I know how tough that can be mentally. UNICS is on a roll and playing very well right now.

As for the star players, everyone knows Kazan guard Keith Langford. He's an incredible scorer and tries to get 30 points every time out. Claver, Delaney and Bykov are the leaders in Krasnodar. Bykov, by the way, has played for both teams, just like me.