Samara and Saratov will host 2 regular season games on Saturday.
Samara (Samara region) vs Astana (Astana)
Time: 15:00 (14:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Samara, SKK “Dvorets Sporta”.
Broadcast: Start Triumph, League website
Samara: The Volga team is not so stable at the start of the season. This is largely due to roster problems. However, even without Nikita Zverev, Anton Kardanakhishvili, Hayden Dalton and Ronnie Harrell, Samara lost to Pari NN only in the final seconds. The game with Astana will be an opportunity for Drazen Anzulovic team to regain the winning spirit after 2 consecutive losses.
Astana: Roster problems from the start of the season haunt Astana as well. Some of the injured players are gradually returning to the lineup. And that has a positive effect on the team’s play. This week, the Kazakh team had equal game versus UNICS. And that gives hope that Astana will soon be able to get their first win of the season.
Avtodor (Saratov) vs Enisey (Krasnoyarsk region)
Time: 17:00 (16:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Saratov, DS Kristall
Broadcast: Start Triumph, League website
Avtodor: Avtodor also has roster problems. Despite that, the Volga team started the season well and looked good in most games. The Saratov team partly solved the issues this week. Kerem Kanter, although he signed a short-term contract, can become a real discovery of the season. It’s unclear whether he will make his debut on Saturday. But even without him, the hosts look like favorites versus Enisey.
Enisey: The Krasnoyarsk team also has not yet completed the roster. But unlike the future rival, the team played all the games of the season with almost the same lineup. However, so far the Siberian team has not found the game. First, Enisey couldn’t stop Uralmash (66:101), and then confidently handled PARMA (89:61). Based on that, it’s hard to predict what to expect from Jovica Arsic team in Saratov. Most likely, the game fate will be decided by the three-pointers made by both teams. Both Avtodor and Enisey are among the VTB League’s Top 4 teams in long-range made shots.
