Pre-game breakdown
After two straight home losses Lokomotiv-Kuban management fired head coach Sasa Obradovic. He is replaced by former assistant Vlado Jovanovic who took the duties of interim coach and already recorded EuroCup win against Arka Gdynia.
The red-blues got back from Milan on Friday morning and did not practice on the same day. Their only practice took place at USH CSKA on Saturday before the departure.
Word to the coach
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
Loko is a great team, and it is always difficult to play against them, especially on the road. They are very competitive and they definitely had more time to prepare for the game. But we know what to expect and we will be ready. We are definitely excited to play against a very good opponent.
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 52-10,
In Moscow: 29-3, in Rostov: 9-1, in Krasnodar: 13-5, on neutral arena (Berlin): 1-0.
Game of 2017-18 season:
07-Jan-2017. VTB United League. Regular Season: CSKA – Lokomotiv Kuban: 79-90 (-11)
14-Feb-2018. VTB United League. Regular Season: Lokomotiv Kuban – CSKA: 75-78 (+3)
Short dossier
Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar, Russia
Founded: 1946
Colors: red, green, white
Home court: Basket Hall (7,500)
President: Andrey Vedishchev
Interim head coach: Vlado Jovanovic
Website: www.lokobasket.com
Trophy case: Euroleague bronze winner (2016), EuroCup winner (2013), VTB United League runner-up (2013), BEKO PBL bronze winner (2011/12), Eurochallenge runner-up (2011), FIBA Europe Cup runner-up (2005), Russian Cup winner (2018)
