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Lokomotiv Kuban vs. Avtodor. The VTB United League. Preview

On February 3rd, Loko welcomes Avtodor Saratov at home. Loko is the leader of the standings. Avtodor has changed head coach during the season and comes to Krasnodar under Evgeny Pashutin. Saratov strives to Top-5 of the championship. Loko wants to continue its 26-game winning series.

The Take

Avtodor is the most stable team of the championship (6-6). They won all games they had to win and lost all games to the leaders. The only exception was a defeat from PARMA.

Pashutin’s team did its best to get to Top-5 but Khimki didn’t let them last round. It seems weird but Khimki and Avtodor are true rivals for beneficial play-off positions (5th and 6th places). Saratov failed to create its first sensation in the season. Now they have a new challenge.

A few teams left Krasnodar happy this season. Guests averagely allow 83.7 points and get 70.1 points in Krasnodar – the most inhospitable arena in the League.

After 13 games, Lokomotiv heads the standings of the VTB United League but our team has no room for mistake. UNICS Kazan is right behind Sasa Obradovic’s squad and desires Loko’s failure.

Since the last game against Loko, there have been some changes in Avtodor. Guard Earvin Morris was waived from Saratov. Coty Clarke is the top scorer and top rebounder of the team. It let him going to the All-Star Game of the VTB United League. Sasa Obradovic who is head coach of the World Stars team in the All-Star included him into the starting five for February 17th.

Lokomotiv Kuban is represented in the All-Star by four players and coach. Mardy Collins, the top scorer of Loko, and Frank Elegar, the top rebounder of the team, will play in the World Stars team.

Dmitry Kulagin who averages 8.9 points and 3.3 assists plays the role of one of key playmakers along with Mardy Collins, while Joe Ragland is recovering from injury.

Quotes

— Avtodor is a tough and talented opponent. They are in a good position in the league and we need to be ready to fight during the game. We had a great start against them last time we played, it will be really important that we got off to a really good start for this game also. The game takes place on February 3rd at 3:00 p.m. Moscow time in Krasnodar.

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