Samara and Kazan will host 2 regular season games on Saturday.
Samara (Samara Region) vs Avtodor (Saratov)
Time: 15:00 (14:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Samara, SKK Dvorets Sporta
Broadcast: VK Video, VTB League website
Samara: The Volga teams are at the bottom of the standings, but the face-off will be like a final. On Saturday, one of the two longest losing streaks in the League right now will come to an end – 15 for Samara or 13 for Avtodor. The team recently lost Mikhail Kulagin due to injury, but the mood of the only team this season without a single win is well described by Vladislav Konovalov’s words after the game against Enisey: “Be Spartans, be men! Go out there and fight!”
Avtodor: Despite Dusan Beslac and Grigory Motovilov injuries, the Saratov team has every right to be favorite in the upcoming game. During its streak, the team has repeatedly come close to win, putting up a fight against most of its opponents, including CSKA. Milenko Bogicevic never tires of praising his players, and everything points to Avtodor’s losing streak coming to an end. The Saratov team recently strengthened its squad with the addition of Danii Kasko and are heading into the derby with intention of getting back to winning.
UNICS (Kazan) vs Zenit (St. Petersburg)
Time: 15:00 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Kazan, Basket Hall
Broadcast: Match TV, VK Video, VTB League website
UNICS: Velimir Perasovic team continues to chase CSKA in the battle for the top spot in the standings. The Kazan club is one win behind the reigning champion but has a game advantage. Since November 2, UNICS has have a 7-1 result – the team is on a roll. The dominant Marcus Bingham and Jalen Reynolds duo will face fierce resistance from Zenit’s star rookies Luka Samanic and Noah Vonleh, as well as one of the League’s most effective players Andrei Martiuk.
Zenit: The St. Petersburg team has undergone a successful rebuild and is now gaining momentum, winning 6 of its last 7 games. On Wednesday, Aleksander Sekulic team won first game of the season against one of the Top 4, easily defeating Lokomotiv Kuban (98:69). The team previously had 0-4, but now Zenit has regained not only its shape, but also confidence. The team will assess the potential of the renewed team in the most difficult conditions and try to get revenge for 27-point loss at home against UNICS in October.
