Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod will host 2 regular season games on Saturday.
Pari Nizhny Novgorod (Nizhny Novgorod) – MBA (Moscow)
Time: 15:00 (Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Nizhny Novgorod, KRK Nagorniy
Broadcast: TV Start, Match! Igra, League website
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: The Volga team, along with Lokomotiv Kuban, continue their battle for the 4th place before the playoffs. Pari Nizhny Novgorod has an advantage in face-to-face games, giving them a better chance to retain their 4th place. By the way, Nizhny Novgorod could have tied the game a week ago, but first unexpectedly lost on the road to MBA, and then on Wednesday lost to CSKA in the end. Now Zoran Lukic’s team must either beat MBA at home, or hope that the Krasnodar team can’t defeat CSKA. Both scenarios look realistic. It’s important for Pari NN to focus on their opponent and to understand that, despite their recent amount number of turnovers, MBA is a dangerous team, bouncing back after a season of decline.
MBA: The Mspcow team, unlike their opponent, are no longer solving any objectives – the team will definitely make the playoffs at the 6th place and face Zenit in the first round. That’s why this game will be a chance for the coaching staff to test their players and see just how ready they are for their first playoff series in the United League. There’s no doubt that MBA rotation will be extensive – the quarterfinals begin in a week, and all the leaders should take a rest. That said, the Moscow team has players on the bench who can really show their worth. For example, center Vladislav Sharapov played well against Zenit, scoring 10 points and 5 rebounds in just 13 minutes.
Avtodor (Saratov) – PARMA-PARI (Perm)
Time: 18:00 (17:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Saratov, DS Kristall
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
Avtodor: One of the big intrigues at the end of the regular season is who’ll clinch the last playoff spot in Group B. For now Avtodor and Enisey are fighting for the place in the Top-8. For the Saratov team, though, the playoffs had already begun – the team played against Samara this week and if Avtodor would lost, the team have no chance to continue the season. Avtodor showed the character, however, and team leader Malik Newman put on a great performance with 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. After beating Samara, Avtodor went on to make the playoffs, and now Branislav Vicentic team needed to defeat the Group B leader PARMA-PARI. The home court and fans will push their players forward. In addition, the Perm team have already solved their goals and probably won’t risk the lead in a game that could decide nothing for them.
PARMA PARI: Evgeny Pashutin’s team defeated Astana on Wednesday and secured the 7th place in the standings, as well as their opponent in the quarterfinals, UNICS. Nevertheless, in every game PARMA-PARI expects to win, so there’s no reason to think the Perm team will play without motivation in Saratov on Saturday. PARMA has already broken the record for most wins in a single season in the League: the team won 16 games so far, while the previous high was 10 (from the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons). That said, the coaching staff may well limit the minutes of their best players and use a wider rotation against Avtodor.
