Yekaterinburg and St. Petersburg will host 2 regular season games on Tuesday.
Uralmash (Yekaterinburg) vs Lokomotiv Kuban (Krasnodar)
Time: 19:30 (17:30 Moscow time)
Place: Russia, Yekaterinburg, DIVS
Broadcast: VK Video, VTB League website
Uralmash: The team started the season with the beautiful win in Krasnodar, but has not been able to confirm its ambitions with stable play yet – 5-5 in the VTB League and 1-1 in the in-season Cup. Even the return of most of the injured players did not help – a brightwin over BETCITY PARMA was followed by the loss to Enisey. However, the Yekaterinburg team faced difficulties again in Krasnoyarsk: 2 key players were unavailable, which could be an important factor in the upcoming clash. Uralmash returns home after a 3-game road trip and is counting on the support of its fans.
Lokomotiv Kuban: Despite regular injuries (as Anton Yudin said, “we are haunted by bad luck – every game we lose a player”) and the ongoing process of formation, Loko has won 4 of its last 5 games and secured 3rd place with 8-3 record. Another piece of good news for Krasnodar team fans was the return of forward B.J. Johnson, and Loko is likely to continue strengthening the roster. In Yekaterinburg, the speedy Lokomotiv game will try to outrun Uralmash’s big five, with the guests aiming for revenge for the memorable loss in the opening game.
Zenit (St. Petersburg) vs. Pari Nizhny Novgorod (Nizhny Novgorod)
Time: 19:30
Place: Russia, St. Petersburg, CSC Arena
Broadcast: VK Video, VTB League website
Zenit: The team’s most difficult stretch appears to be behind. In the last round, the St. Petersburg team confidently dealt with the strong MBA-MAI with Nenad Dimitrijevic (18 points, 4 assists), who returned from injury, and newcomer Luka Samanic (19 points, 6 rebounds). This was followed by a break of almost a week – the best thing that could have happened to Aleksander Sekulic team right now. After recharging, the St. Petersburg club will try to get its second win in a row to start chasing its rivals in the Top 4.
Pari Nizhny Novgorod: A 7-game losing streak was replaced by encouraging wins in Moscow (MBA-MAI) and Saratov in the Volga derby. The road tour will continue in St. Petersburg, where Pari NN will try to get revenge for the October loss to Zenit by 20 points. Pari NN’s main hope is Isaiah Washington, who set career-high and a season-high with Avtodor with 41 points and also recorded his first triple-double of the season (and 11th in League history), adding 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
