Zenit vs Avtodor. Preview
Context
The Saratov team is fiercely fighting for a spot in the top-6 of the regular season, maintaining a high tempo in games against direct playoff contenders. In their last five matches, Avtodor has lost only twice — at home to CSKA (69:87) and away to PARMA (79:73). However, their recent game against MBA-MAI in Moscow ended in a comfortable 85:95 victory for Milenko Bogicevic's squad.
One of Avtodor’s main strengths is its offensive trio: center Kerem Kanter, who has been in outstanding form since the start of the year (14 points, 6 rebounds per game), sharpshooter Bryant Crawford (13.6 points, 4.2 assists), and the team’s playmaker Caleb Agada (12.5 points). The Nigerian-Canadian guard also leads the entire league in assists (6.1) and steals (2.3) per game.
Head-to-head
In 28 encounters in the VTB United League, the Volga team has secured 6 victories. Meanwhile, the blue-whites have won 22 times, including three triumphs this season.
Quotes
Zenit head coach Xavi Pascual on the home game against Avtodor:
We are going to play against one team in a very good shape, with a very good coach — one of the best in the competition. One team that in the last game against MBA they played excellent, with good balance inside-outside, with very dangerous guards and bigs that they know how to play. So it's going to be a difficult game, every time that we are playing against them it's difficult to win. But we are coming back home and we have to be ready. We have to be ready to continue in the good direction that in the last games we are showing to all the fans. And hopefully the stadium will be with a lot of crowd and we will enjoy together.
Who. Where. When.
Opponent: Avtodor
Location: CSC Arena, St. Petersburg
Time: March 16, 17:00 (local time)
Broadcast: Okko Sport, VTB United League website, Start TV
Tickets are available at tickets.bc-zenit.com
