Week Eleven Preview

Bisons seek a 3rd-straight win, Khimki hosts Lokomotiv-Kuban, Nizhny Novgorod tries to snap a three-game skid against Krasnoyarsk and more in Week Eleven. 

Saturday, December 5

Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus) - Vita (Georgia)
Time: 4:00 PM (4:00 PM MSK)
Place: Arena-Minsk, Minsk, Belarus
TV: Belarus-5 (Belarus), Silk TV Sport 3 (Georgia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Tsmoki-Minsk: The Dragons suffered a crushing loss on the road last week, getting beat on a buzzer-beater in Loimaa. The defeat also dropped Minsk to 9th in the standings. Tsmoki would love to pick up a win at home against Vita and get back above .500.

Vita: Several recent departures have forced Pavel Googe to insert untested youth players into the roster. While the Georgians will be heavy underdogs in Minsk, Vita's youngsters have an opportunity to gain valuable experience.

Sunday, December 6

Astana (Kazakhstan) - Avtodor (Russia)
Time: 4:00 PM (1:00 PM MSK)
Place: SC Velotrek, Astana, Kazakhstan
TV: KAZ Sport (Kazakhstan), NTV+ (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Astana: After an unexpected loss at home to Tsmoki-Minsk, Astana bounced back with a victory over Krasny Oktyabr. Now Astana has a chance to escape 15th place in the standings. Ramunas Butautas's men are known for their prowess at home, while Avtodor has yet to win on the road this season.

Avtodor: Even though Saratov has never beat Astana, don't count the visitors out. Avtodor has a top-5 defense and 5-4 record, including wins over Nizhny Novgorod and Nymburk. The offense has struggled this season, but if Avtodor can shut down Week 10 MVP Nik Caner-Medley, they will have a good chance to return home with a win.

Nymburk (Czech Republic) - Bisons (Finland)
Time: 4:00 PM (6:00 PM MSK)
Place: SC Nymburk, Nymburk, Czech Republic
TV: TV Nova Sport (Czech Republic), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Nymburk: The Czechs have lost three of four and dropped to 6th in the standings. Now the team is finally back home, where they remain undefeated. Against Bisons, Ronen Ginzburg's men will be significantly favored.

Bisons: The Finns have won two straight close games, but it's not going to be easy to extend the streak in Nymburk. Bisons are 0-4 on the road this season, though they did get a win in the Czech Republic last season. Can Greg Gibson and Co. spoil Nymburk's return home?

UNICS (Russia) - Kalev (Estonia)
Time: 6:00 PM (6:00 PM MSK)
Place: Basket Hall, Kazan, Russia
TV: NTV+ (Russia), SA Tallinna Televisioon (Estonia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

UNICS: Kazan bounced back from a blowout loss against CSKA, knocking off Khimki and Nizhny Novgorod in successive games. The Tatar club is 7-1 all-time against Kalev and will be led by November MVP Keith Langford on Sunday.

Kalev: Two years ago, Kalev shocked UNICS at home, snapping an 11-game Kazan winning streak. But the Estonians have yet to win in Kazan and won't be expected to challenge UNICS this weekend. With expectations low, could Kalev spring another huge upset?

Enisey (Russia) - Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Time: 7:10 PM (3:10 PM MSK)
Place: Sports Palace, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
TV: NTV+ (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Enisey: Krasnoyarsk has struggled against Nizhny Novgorod (1-4 all-time), but may be slightly favored in this one. Enisey plays solid basketball at home, while Nizhny enters with a three-game losing streak.

Nizhny Novgorod: Ainars Bagatsksis's men have been cursed with injuries and now sit 8th in the standings. But there is some good news: Evgeny Baburin may be available for Sunday's game in Krasnoyarsk.

Monday, December 7

VEF (Latvia) - CSKA (Russia)
Time: 7:30 PM (8:30 PM MSK)
Place: Arena Riga, Riga, Latvia
TV: Riga TV (Latvia), NTV+ (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

VEF: Heavy underdogs against CSKA, Riga will try to use the home court to its advantage and knock off the Army Men for the first time in club history. A win would also be VEF's first at home this season.

CSKA: The Army Men dealt Zenit its first loss last week to take over 1st place. CSKA then went on the road in the Euroleague, defeating Bamberg. Dimitris Itoudis and Co. will be determined to add to their lead in the standings with a win on Monday.

Khimki (Russia) - Lokomotiv-Kuban (Russia)
Time: 7:30 PM (7:30 PM MSK)
Place: BCMO Sports Complex, Khimki, Russia
TV: NTV+ (Russia), Match TV (Russia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Khimki: The league's 2nd-best offense takes on the top defense in the Week of the Game. These two teams are neighbors in the standings with an identical record in the last five games. Expect a hard-fought contest.

Lokomotiv-Kuban: Khimki has the home-court advantage, but Kuban has been solid on the road this season and brings a balanced squad to Monday's showdown. Much will depend on playmaker Malcolm Delaney and forward Victor Claver, who was named to the VTB United League All-November team.

Wednesday, December 9

Astana (Kazakhstan) - Kalev (Estonia)
Time: 8:00 PM (5:00 PM MSK)
Place: SC Velotrek, Astana, Kazakhstan
TV: KAZ Sport (Kazakhstan), SA Tallinna Televisioon (Estonia), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Astana: Astana will be favored at home against Kalev. The Kazakhs have never lost to the Estonian visitors, not to mention Kalev's struggles on the road this season.

Kalev: The Estonians are three spots above Astana in the standings, but Sunday's games could change that. A win on the road would be huge for Kalev, especially after a tough game against CSKA over the weekend.

Thursday, December 10

Tsmoki-Minsk (Belarus) - Enisey (Russia)
Time: 5:00 PM (5:00 PM MSK)
Place: Arena-Minsk, Minsk, Belarus
TV: NTV+ (Russia), Belarus-5 (Belarus), United League TV
Stats: VTB-League.com preview

Tsmoki-Minsk: Enisey holds a slight edge in the all-time series, 4-3. On December 10, Minsk will have a chance to even the score and get back in the postseason hunt. Games like these are crucial to Tsmoki's playoff hopes.

Enisey: The visitors also want to compete for a playoff spot and a win on the road would be a big boost for Enisey's confidence. Expect a very tightly contested game with so much on the line.