PUEBLA (Interstat) — Zacatecas will visit Lobos Plateados on Saturday in Mexican LNBP play, with both teams looking to strengthen their position in the league standings.

Zacatecas enters at 9-5. The club most recently earned an 87-85 home win over Gambusinos, getting 22 points, three rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes from Daishon Smith. Romeao Ferguson added 13 points, five rebounds and 11 assists, while K. Goncalves contributed 15 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Smith remains the player to watch for Zacatecas. He scored 22 points in each of the two recent games against Gambusinos, including a 31-minute outing with 22 points, three rebounds and seven assists in an 89-96 loss. Earlier against Fuerza Regia, Smith had 18 points, six rebounds and one assist in a 101-100 win and four points, one rebound and two assists in an 84-87 loss. Zacatecas has shown an ability to score in bursts this season, with home wins over Aguascalientes (98-78), Jal. Astros (94-88 and 89-83) and a road win at Cancun El Calor (78-67). The team also has road victories at Dorados and Cancun El Calor, and it most recently beat Gambusinos at home, but it has alternated results in recent outings.

Lobos Plateados enters at 8-7 and will play at home. The club most recently won 99-84 at San Luis Potosi, continuing a stretch in which it has scored well. Lobos Plateados has posted home wins over Dorados (104-77 and 74-71), Fuerza Regia (98-88) and road wins at Gambusinos (85-75 and 79-65) and Diablos Rojos (95-84 and 89-88). However, the team also dropped a home game to Irapuato 82-71 and fell at Aguascalientes 73-69. That inconsistency makes the matchup with Zacatecas important as Lobos Plateados tries to build momentum.

Zacatecas and Lobos Plateados are familiar with close games. Zacatecas’s recent schedule includes a narrow loss to Diablos Rojos (81-75) and a one-point win at Fuerza Regia (101-100). Lobos Plateados has also been in tight contests, including a 91-90 home loss to Fuerza Regia and a one-point road win at Diablos Rojos (89-88). The game could hinge on Smith’s scoring and whether Zacatecas can contain Lobos Plateados’ balanced attack.

After Saturday, both teams continue their schedules. Zacatecas is set to face Leon and San Luis Potosi at home, while Lobos Plateados will visit Correcaminos and Cancun El Calor. The teams are also scheduled to meet again the following day.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Lobos Plateados 46, Zacatecas 45. Interstat’s ELO system gives Lobos Plateados a 68.4 percent probability to win.