MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Interstat) — The Zulia Gaiteros, owners of the Venezuelan SLB’s best record at 22-4, visit Maracaibo on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series between the teams.

Zulia enters having won five of its past six games, including a 69-67 victory at Maracaibo on Tuesday. The Gaiteros split the first two games of this set, losing 80-74 on Monday before bouncing back two days later.

Maracaibo (13-15) has lost four of its past six and sits near the middle of the league standings.

The teams have met four times this season. Zulia holds a 3-1 edge in the season series, with its lone loss coming Monday.

Players to watch

Zulia forward Nahziah Carter has been productive against Maracaibo this week. He posted 20 points, four rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes during Tuesday’s win, following a 13-point, one-rebound effort in Monday’s loss. Over his past 10 games, Carter has scored in double figures nine times and is averaging 17.3 points per game in that stretch. He scored a season-high 29 points on April 30 against La Guaira.

Maracaibo center Myke Henry has been the home team’s most consistent scorer. He had 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists in Tuesday’s loss, playing 35 minutes. Henry also posted 14 points and four rebounds in Monday’s win. In his past eight games, he has averaged 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Series history

The teams have played five times this season. Results: Zulia 69, Maracaibo 67 (May 19); Maracaibo 80, Zulia 74 (May 18); Zulia 97, Maracaibo 73 (May 15); Zulia 96, Maracaibo 83 (April 17); Zulia 78, Maracaibo 63 (April 4).

The Gaiteros have won four of those five meetings by an average margin of 10.3 points. Maracaibo’s lone win came by six points Monday.

Recent form

Zulia has won four of its past five games overall, with the only loss coming Monday at Maracaibo. The Gaiteros also own a 78-77 win at Anzoátegui on May 6 and an 87-81 home win against Car. Spartans on May 2.

Maracaibo has lost four of its past six. The team’s most recent win was Monday’s 80-74 victory over Zulia. The Bulldogs also beat Avila 77-75 on May 3 and Miranda 104-80 on April 28.

Tipoff is scheduled for Thursday night.