Published on: Dec 17, 2019 9:42 am IST|Updated on: Dec 17, 2019 9:56 pm IST
ZEN vs MTA Dream11: Bottom-rooted Zenit Saint Petersburg host an in-form Maccabi Tel Aviv at Yubileyny Sports Palace, in Russia, as they look to win for only the fourth time in EuroLeague this season.
Form and recent results:
As thing stand, Zenit Saint Petersburg are propping up the table in the EuroLeague. They are the worst team in both offence and defence and also carry the worst point-difference in the league heading into this game. In fact, they are struggling for consistency in the domestic VTB United League and that’s strange considering how big a Basketball club they are. Overall, they have just one win in the last 8 EuroLeague games.
Maccabi Tel Aviv come into this game off the back of an incredible 90-80 win over the reigning champions CSKA Moscow. Though the Russian giants were the favourite to win that game, the result was not entirely out of blue considering how Maccabi have been going about in EuroLeague. They are fourth on the table and could move to 2nd and within a point of the top spot if both Real Madrid and Barcelona drop their games in this round.
This is the first-ever meeting between these two teams in EuroLeague.
Season matchup: Zenit Saint Petersburg | Maccabi Tel Aviv Games: 13 | 13 Wins: 03 | 09 Defeats: 10 | 04 Total Points scored: 929 | 1106 Points conceded: 1048 | 971
Host: Zenit Saint Petersburg Visitors: Maccabi Tel Aviv Match Timing: December 17, @ 10:30 PM Venue: Yubileyny Sports Palace
From Zenit Saint Petersburg:
Gustavo Ayon has five games in double-digits in his last six EuroLeague games. Though he could manage just seven points in the last game, he is still a very good option. He ranks 3rd in offensive rebounds in EuroLeague this season.
Austin Hollins and Alex Renfroe are in good form for Zenit and can make a huge difference.
From Maccabi Tel Aviv:
Scottie Wilbekin is the 7th best player in EuroLeague this season with a team-high 16.7 points per game. He is attempting 3.6 shots per game from 3-point range.
Othello Hunter had 20 points in the last game. He is tied 5th in the offensive rebounds in EuroLeague.
Zenit Saint Petersburg team news: Andrey Zubkov has been ruled out for the next couple of months due to a thing injury. The hosts will also miss the services of their captain Evgeny Voronov for two more weeks as he continues to recover from a broken nose. Also, Mateusz Ponitka is expected to be out some three weeks with a concussion.
Zenit Saint Petersburg squad: Thomas Walkup, Alex Perez, Lukas Lekavicius, Nigel Hayes, Erikas Venskus, Paulius Jankunas, Karolis Lukosiunas, Laurynas Birutis, Arturas Milaknis, Martinas Geben, Zach LeDay, Jock Landale, Marius Grigonis, Kerr Kriisa, Edgaras Ulanovas
Maccabi Tel Aviv team news: John Dibartolomeo could miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle, while, Nate Wolters is expected to be out for one more month due to a hamstring injury. In addition, Omri Casspi is a doubt for the match.
Maccabi Tel Aviv squad: Elijah Bryant, Scottie Wilbekin, Quincy Acy, Angelo Caloiaro, Othello Hunter, Sandy Cohen, Deni Avdija, Tyler Dorsey, Jake Cohen, Dori Sahar, Yonathan Atias, Tarik Black, Yovel Zoosman
Zenit Saint Petersburg:
PF: Will Thomas SF: Austin Hollins C: Colton Iverson PG: Anton Ponkrashov SG: Alex Renfroe
Maccabi Tel Aviv:
PF: Othello Hunter SF: Quincy Acy C: Angelo Caloiaro PG: Yovel Zoosman SG: Scottie Wilbekin
Zenit Saint Petersburg: Andrew Albicy, Gustavo Ayon, Tim Abromaitis, Dmitry Khvostov, Vladislav Trushkin, Anton Pushkov
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Elijah Bryant, Tyler Dorsey, Deni Avdija, Jake Cohen, Sandy Cohen
ZEN vs MTA Dream11 teams:
PG: Renfroe, Albicy, Wilbekin (SP) SG: E Bryant SF: Caloiaro PF: W Thomas C: G Ayon, Hunter
PG: Renfroe (SP), Albicy, Wilbekin SG: E Bryant SF: Caloiaro PF: W Thomas C: O Hunter, G Ayon
As mentioned above, visitors are in good form and will be favourites to win the game.
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