Zenit will host Nizhny Novgorod in the Game of the Week.
Where: Russia, St. Petersburg, Sibur Arena (capacity 7,120 spectators)
When: December 12, 2021, 17:00 (Moscow time)
Broadcasts: Match! Igra, TV Start, VTB United League Website
Rivalry
Zenit and Nizhny Novgorod have played 18 games in the VTB United League. The St. Petersburg team is exactly 2 times ahead of black and white in personal games – 12-6. The last Nizhny Novgorod win took place in October 2019 – just in Sibur Arena, where the upcoming game will take place.
The two teams mostly met in the regular season, but in the 2014/15 season, Nizhny managed to stop the blue-white-blues in the quarterfinals (3-2 in the playoff series).
Game layout
Zenit is coming to the game as a favorite. The St. Petersburg team stumbled only in the 2nd game of the regular season, losing to Astana. The remaining five games were left for the team from Zenit, and all the games were obtained with a large score. Such a performance at the start allowed the blue-white-blues to occupy the 3rd place in the standings (5-1). Everything is more complicated in the Euroleague. Zenit started well, but in the last 3 games they suffered 3 losses. Fenerbahce left the St. Petersburg team with the defeat on Thursday – 86:80.
If the St. Petersburg team had regular playing practice, then Nizhny Novgorod went on a long break from November 17 in connection with the start of the World Cup-2023 Qualifiers. The team resumed games on December 5, losing in the Volga derby to Avtodor (94:100). At the same time, even the strict Zoran Lukic announced after the game that his team looked decent and he had no complaints about the basketball players. Nizhny Novgorod are approaching the Game of the Week on the 5th place (4-3).
Losses
Xavi Pascual stated after the loss against Fenerbahce that Conner Frankamp and Jordan Loyd were injured at the end of the game. Dmitry Kulagin and Denis Zakharov missed the game, Shabazz Napier continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Nizhny Novgorod held a recent game in Saratov without Mikhail Kulagin, Nikola Jovanovic and Evgeny Baburin.
Team basketball and the threat from a distance
Zenit and Nizhny Novgorod are in the Top-4 of the League in the average number of assists per game and the 3-point shots percentage. The St. Petersburg team with 22.3 assists are in the lead, Nizhny (19.7) is in 4th place.
Shooting 39.5% from behind the arc, NN are 2nd in the League, Xavier Pascual’s team (36.3%) is on the 4th place.
Why Zenit can win
Pascual’s Zenit puts team actions, reliable defense, organization of the game and clear execution of the conceived plan on the court at the forefront. Zoran Lukic preaches similar basketball virtues in NN, with the only difference that the St. Petersburg team performs in the Euroleague, having a stronger and deeper roster. A series of losses in the Euroleague, including home game this week, should motivate one of the main contenders for the title as much as possible.
Why Nizhny Novgorod can win
Nizhny Novgorod will have a difficult and important segment in the season. 3 days after Zenit, Nizhny will hold a Champions League game against Unicaja in the playoff mode (you can’t lose), in the VTB United League in the future there will be games with Lokomotiv Kuban (twice) and UNICS. But one of the signature features of Nizhny under Lukic coaching is the ability to express in difficult situations and the ability to defeat grandees. Zenit is going through a mini-crisis and has somewhat passed physically. With Fenerbahce, the St. Petersburg team got 17 turnovers, did not defend well during the possession and ran into fastbreaks without enthusiasm. Rested and fresh Nizhny Novgorod players have found a rhythm in Saratov and will try to return to the winning path in St. Petersburg.
Confidence
Zenit forward Andrey Zubkov successfully played under Lukic’s guidance for the Russian national team in the game against Iceland.
“Yes, I’m happy for him. There are some more details. We had a conversation before the training camp, he lost a little confidence. I hope this game will help bring it back. I just asked him to wait until Nizhny Novgorod plays Zenit here. You can play more calmly for a couple of weeks, and then – please, let it rush. We joked a little on this topic,” Lukic said.
Who to follow
Anton Astapkovich – Ivan Strebkov duo, who led Lukic’s Russian national team to 2 wins in Qualifiers, also showed strongly in the 1st game for the team after the resumption of the season. Despite the loss to Avtodor, the forward and point guard were resultative: Astapkovich scored 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists with 8 of 13 from the field, Strebkov’s stats were 21 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists with 9 of 13 from the field. It will be interesting to see how this duo will face the St. Petersburg star roster.
Direct speech
Xavier Pascual, Zenit Head Coach :
– We are returning to the VTB United League games after a difficult game with Fenerbahce. This will be our 4th game in 10 days. Nizhny Novgorod is a strong team led by an experienced coach with experienced players in the squad who have been working together for a long time. We need to overcome the difficulties we have been facing lately, fulfill the game plan, go to the court with energy and concentration for the entire 40 minutes if we want to get a win at home.
Zoran Lukic, Nizhny Novgorod Head Coach :
– In the previous game against Avtodor, our team really showed real character. Unfortunately, this was not enough. As I have already said, we are going through a difficult time right now and at the same time we must look for ways to remain a worthy opponent. Let’s try to do everything possible, find the right way to beat a team like Zenit.
