Week Fourteen Preview

Six games are scheduled for Week Fourteen of the VTB United League regular season.

Tuesday, December 22

CSKA (Russia) - Bisons (Finland)
Time: 7:00 PM (7:00 PM MSK)
Place: USH CSKA, Moscow, Russia
TV: Match TV (Russia), NTV+ (Russia), Elisa Viihde (Finland), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

CSKA: The Army Men have won eight straight and have an excellent chance to push the streak to double digits with three consecutive home games over the next two weeks. CSKA last lost in Moscow on February 2, 2015 against Lokomotiv-Kuban and has won 18 straight at the Universal Sports Hall since then.

Bisons: The Finns have scored several upsets in the VTB United League, though the wins generally come in Finland. Despite the underdog status, Bisons will come out with intensity and terrific motivation against the reigning champs.

Enisey (Russia) - Lokomotiv-Kuban (Russia)
Time: 7:10 MSK (3:10 MSK)
Place: Sports Palace, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
TV: NTV+ (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Enisey: Krasnoyarsk lost on the road to Kalev, but remains in position for a playoff bid. The Siberians could even pass Lokomotiv-Kuban in the standings with a win on Tuesday night. Can Enisey find an answer for Krasnodar's ferocious defense?

Lokomotiv-Kuban: Krasnodar needs to make up lost ground in the league standings. A loss at home to UNICS dropped the team to .500, a disappointing 5-5 start for the high-flying Euroleague squad. Nonetheless, Lokomotiv is 6-2 all-time against Enisey and will be favored to win on the road.

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) - Astana (Kazakhstan)
Time: 7:30 PM (7:30 PM MSK)
Place: Meshchersky Arena, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
TV: KAZ Sport (Kazakhstan), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Nizhny Novgorod: Nizhny Novgorod's struggles continue. After a strong start, the Russian club has lost five straight, including two blowout defeats. Earlier this week, Dmitry Khvostov helped his team overcome Galatasaray in the Eurocup, which could give Nizhny the confidence it needs to get back on track in the league.

Astana: The Kazakh club crushed Vita last week, setting a new club record for points scored in a game. A 3-2 record over the last five games has helped Astana rise to 11th in the standings. Another win on Tuesday could move the Kazakhs into the top-10.

Wednesday, December 23

Kalev (Estonia) - Khimki (Russia)
Time: 4:30 PM (5:30 PM MSK)
Place: Saku Suurhall, Tallinn, Estonia
TV: SA Tallinna Televisioon (Estonia), NTV+ (Russia), Match TV (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Kalev: The Estonians enjoyed a big Week 13, knocking off Enisey at home. Khimki will be favored in Tallinn on Wednesday, but the home team is certain to give Rimas Kurtinaitis's club a tough fight. The frontcourt battle will be fascinating: how will Josh Boone match up against Khimki's big men after setting a league record for rebounds (20) in the win over Enisey?

Khimki: Rimas Kurtinaitis's men have won four straight, including last week's overtime victory in Minsk. Dmitry Sokolov may also make his Khimki debut, giving the visitors extra depth against Kalev star Josh Boone.

Saturday, December 26

Lokomotiv-Kuban (Russia) - Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus)
Time: 4:00 PM (4:00 PM MSK)
Place: Basket Hall, Krasnodar, Russia
TV: NTV+ (Russia), Belarus-5 (Belarus), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Lokomotiv-Kuban: Loko will be playing at home and look to give the Krasnodar faithful something to cheer about entering the New Year. History is also on Loko's side: the Krasnodar club is a perfect 6-0 against Minsk.

Tsmoki-Minsk: This is also a big game for the Dragons. After starting 3-1 in the league, Tsmoki has dropped six of its last eight to fall to 10th. A win on the road in Krasnodar would be a huge boost for the Dragons and nicely complement the Week 1 victory in Kazan.

CSKA (Russia) - Enisey (Russia)
Time: 6:00 PM (6:00 PM MSK)
Place: USH CSKA, Moscow, Russia
TV: Match TV (Russia), NTV+ (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

CSKA: This will be CSKA's second straight game at home. With a win on Tuesday over Bisons, the Army Men can pick up victory #13 against Enisey and cement 1st place in the standings. Perfect all-time against Krasnoyarsk, CSKA will be heavily favored in this pre-New Year's contest.

Enisey: Krasnoyarsk faces a stiff challenge on Saturday: slowing down the mighty Army Men. Nonetheless, Oleg Okulov's teams are known for their toughness and will not be fazed by the challenge. Despite the underdog status, expect Enisey to take its best shot against CSKA.