(Interstat) — LNBP Preview: Zacatecas at Cancun El Calor

Zacatecas will visit Cancun El Calor on Monday, Aug. 10, in a Mexican LNBP matchup. Zacatecas enters with a 2-0 record, while Cancun El Calor is 1-1.

Zacatecas won its first two home games against Correcaminos, including a 98-76 victory Thursday. Forward Kayo Goncalves led that game with 26 points, six rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes. He also had seven rebounds in a 95-76 win over Correcaminos on Aug. 5 after scoring four points in 17 minutes. Goncalves has shown scoring range earlier in the season, including a 26-point effort against Correcaminos.

Zacatecas opened the season with a 105-93 win at Irapuato on July 30, but Goncalves scored only three points in that game. He had two scoreless outings in losses at San Luis Potosi earlier in the summer, finishing with six rebounds on July 24 and five rebounds on July 23.

Cancun El Calor split two games at San Luis Potosi, losing 82-75 on Thursday and winning 89-84 in overtime Wednesday. D.J. Mitchell, a forward, scored 14 points with four rebounds and three assists in the loss Thursday. He played 26 minutes. In the overtime victory Wednesday, Mitchell played 18 minutes and grabbed one rebound with one block but did not score.

Earlier in the season, Mitchell played two games at Lobos Plateados. He had 12 points and one rebound in a 96-93 loss July 23, then scored 10 points with four rebounds and three assists in an 80-63 loss July 24.

Zacatecas has relied on balanced scoring in its wins. Along with Goncalves, guard Romeao Ferguson posted 15 points, six rebounds and 10 assists Thursday, and forward Wesley Saunders added 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Monday’s game is the first of a home-and-home set; Zacatecas will also visit Cancun on Tuesday, Aug. 11. After that, Zacatecas returns home to face Jal. Astros on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Cancun El Calor will travel to Correcaminos on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16.

Zacatecas has been efficient early, averaging more than 95 points in its two victories. Cancun El Calor has been more inconsistent, splitting its first two games while allowing at least 82 points in each. The home team will look to Mitchell to provide a scoring spark after his solid outing Thursday.

Tipoff is scheduled for Monday night in Cancun.