BOTOLA (Interstat) — Loko Plovdiv faces elimination Saturday when it hosts Balkan in Game 3 of their Bulgarian National Basketball League playoff series at POWER Plovdiv.

Balkan, the top seed with a 31-8 record, leads the best-of-five series 2-0 after winning both games on its home court. The Botevgrad club won 88-73 on May 25 and needed overtime to take a 94-89 victory Wednesday, with both games played at Balkan’s arena.

Loko Plovdiv, the seed at 24-15, returns home needing a victory to extend the series. The team has lost four of its past five matchups against Balkan dating to last December, but the lone win came in Plovdiv — an 82-79 decision March 14.

Guard Jamari Blackmon has keyed Balkan’s postseason run. In the two playoff games against Loko Plovdiv, he averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Across his past five outings, including regular-season games against Euroins Cherno More and Minyor, Blackmon has averaged 15.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting efficiently.

Forward Khalil Miller has been Loko Plovdiv’s most consistent performer. In Game 2, he posted 14 points and 7 rebounds. Over his past seven games, which include a first-round sweep of Rilski Sportist, Miller has averaged 16.6 points and 7.9 rebounds. He recorded three straight double-doubles in the Rilski series, including a 25-point, 9-rebound effort May 17 and a 23-point, 15-rebound performance May 15.

The winner of Game 3 can take a commanding lead, with Game 4 scheduled Monday in Plovdiv if necessary.

Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. local time.