Zenit vs Lokomotiv Kuban. Preview
Opponent
Zenit and Loko sit next to each other in the standings. The Blue-White-Sky Blues have won 24 of 33 games and enter this matchup in 3rd place on a 10-game winning streak in the VTB United League. The Krasnodar side is right behind in 4th, with 21 wins and one game in hand.
Over the past month, Lokomotiv Kuban dropped games against CSKA (63:92) and UNICS (79:82), but they remain firmly in the league’s top-4 group.
Since the last head-to-head meeting, Loko’s roster has seen some changes. In early March, American forward BJ Johnson left the team, while in February the club added Qatar national team center Alen Hadžibegović. He impressed with Avtodor earlier this season and remains one of the league’s top scorers, averaging 17.8 points per game (top-4 in the league).
Meanwhile, Zenit’s newcomers Johnny Juzang and Ismaël Bako have already made their debuts and are gradually fitting into the team’s system.
Head-to-head
There’s an ongoing streak dating back to last season’s playoffs — now at 10 games — where Zenit and Loko only win at home against each other. This will be the fourth meeting of the season: two wins for Loko in Krasnodar (89:80, 95:85), one win for Zenit in St. Petersburg (98:69)
Overall head-to-head record favors Zenit: 24–22.
Direct speech
Zenit head coach Dejan Radonjić ahead of the game:
We have quite a good opponent. Lokomotiv Kuban play really, really good. They have a good team. So, really tough game for sure, we have to be ready to do a lot of good things defensively and offensively to win this game. We need help from our fans tomorrow for sure.
Who. Where. When.
Opponent: Lokomotiv Kuban
Location: CSC Arena, St. Petersburg
Date: March 22, 13:00 (local time)
Broadcast: Okko Sport, Match! Strana, Match! Igra, VTB League website, VK Video, Start
