Samara will host the regular season game on Tuesday.
Samara (Samara) – Avtodor (Saratov)
Time: 19:00 (18:00 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Samara, SCC Dvorets Sporta
Broadcast: TV Start, League website
Samara: For both teams, the result of the Volga Derby is important – the playoff spot is on the line. If Avtodor even if the team lose can theoretically maintain their chances of making the Top-8, then Samara will surely not extend their season. Still, Sergey Bazarevich team stands a good chance: the team played their last game more than a week ago and had plenty of time to recover and prepare for Avtodor. This season the teams have exchanged home wins, and each has been incredibly close. That’s likely to be true in Samara on Tuesday. It’s important for the hosts not to give up any rebounds to Evgeniy Minchenko and Brandon Garrett and to guard Zagorac – Nikolic duo, who score 23.7 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Avtodor: For Avtodor, a lose in the Volga derby will automatically mean the end of the season. If the guests will lose in Samara, however, making the playoffs will be much more difficult, and not everything will depend on Branislav Vicentic team. That’s why the Saratov team will have to prepare for this game in a different way. Avtodor’s problem could be the absence of leaders: Malik Newman, Scott Machado and Sean Armand missed Thursday’s game with Astana, and their participation in the game against Samara is questionable. Without their 3 guards the Saratov team will have a difficult time, not only in scoring, but also in defense. After all, the opponent’s backcourt is ready. In any case, the key to Avtodor’s win will be teamwork on both ends.
