Saratov and Moscow will host 2 regular season games on Tuesday.
Avtodor (Saratov) – MINSK (Minsk)
Time: 19:00 (18:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Saratov, DS Kristall
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
Avtodor: The change of coach in mid-January benefited the Saratov team. Avtodor won both games with Branislav Vicentic and has already come as close as possible to the playoff zone. And a win over MINSK at home will allow the Volga team to equalise Samara, which is in second place in Group B. Avtodor will be a clear favorite – at least on paper. The Saratov team beat the Minsk team quite confidently twice in the season and are quite capable of doing it for the third time. According to stats, Avtodor rebounds better than MINSK, scores better and value the ball more. And if the Volga teamwill not underestimate the opponent ,the team can count on extending the winning streak.
MINSK: With every game at the second stage, the Belarusian team game looks more confident. So on Saturday, Rostislav Vergun team was a step away from their first win – Samara was stronger only in overtime. MINSK lacks experience and game quality. Avtodor has shown more than once that it does not forgive mistakes, so it is important for the Minsk team to show their maximum in Saratov. Another problem is the lack of a clear leader who should take the game in his own hands at a key moment. Blizniuk, Bracey, Sljivanchanin must prove themselves to lead MINSK to the first win in 2023.
MBA (Moscow) – Lokomotiv Kuban (Krasnodar)
Time: 20:00 (20:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Moscow, Basket Hall Moscow
Broadcast: TV Start, Match! Igra, League website
MBA: The Moscow team is going through a bad time – in the last 8 games only 1 win. And MBA has problems: after the New Year, the team let opponents score 6.5 points more and maked 13 points less. The coaching staff has 2 injured guards and during the season was forced to adjust the game. But MBA does not give up and continues to fight for the highest possible seeding in its first playoff. In this regard, the game with Loko is doubly important: the Moscow team is at the 6th place and 1 win behind the Krasnodar team. If MBA loses, it will be extremely difficult to catch up with both Loko and Pari NN, so the League newcomer needs to be motivated at home.
Lokomotiv Kuban: For the Krasnodar team, the game in Moscow is no less important. During the season, Loko has significantly increased and is now seriously aiming for the 4th place. And to achieve this, the Krasbodar team need to win 1 more game than Pari NN. Moreover, this season Loko has not been able to beat MBA, and the home loss in the first game of the season still remembered. In Moscow, it is important for Loko to beat the hosts defense and at the same time guard Timofey Yakushin, Andrey Lopatin and Daniil Kasatkin.
