ZIVINICE, Bosnia-Herzegovina (Interstat) — Basket Zivinice will put its unbeaten start on the line Friday when it hosts Sloboda Tuzla in a basketball matchup of teams moving in opposite directions early in the season.

Basket Zivinice is 1-0 after opening with a 71-64 road win at Mrkonjic Grad. Lazar Durovic led the way with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes, adding 1 assist. Nikola Tadic contributed 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 19 minutes, while Tyron Harris scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 31 minutes. Durovic is the player to watch for Basket Zivinice. His ability to control the glass and score inside helped set the tone in the club’s first victory, and he will be central to the team’s plans against Sloboda Tuzla.

Sloboda Tuzla enters at 0-1 after a narrow home loss to Orlovik, 84-81. Despite the defeat, Sloboda Tuzla showed enough offensive promise to make the trip to Zivinice a difficult test. The visitors will be looking to even their record and avoid a second straight loss, while Basket Zivinice seeks to build momentum and protect its home court.

Basket Zivinice’s recent win at Mrkonjic Grad was built on balanced production from Durovic, Tadic and Harris. Durovic’s double-double anchored the interior, and Harris’s all-around line provided stability on the wing. Tadic’s efficient minutes off the bench also gave Basket Zivinice useful depth. That balance could be important again Friday as the home team tries to counter Sloboda Tuzla’s urgency.

For Sloboda Tuzla, the challenge starts with defense and rebounding. The club allowed 84 points in its opener and will need a stronger effort on the glass to slow Durovic inside. Offensively, Sloboda Tuzla will aim to push tempo and create open looks before Basket Zivinice can set its half-court defense. A fast start would help the visitors quiet the home crowd and put pressure on the unbeaten hosts. Sloboda Tuzla also will need to limit turnovers and second-chance opportunities to keep the game close.

Basket Zivinice will try to remain patient and use its home floor to dictate pace. The team showed in its opener that it can win in a tight game, holding Mrkonjic Grad to 64 points while getting timely contributions from multiple players. Sloboda Tuzla, meanwhile, will look to turn a painful one-possession loss into a sharper performance. The matchup features contrasting styles and plenty of early-season intensity.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Basket Zivinice 92, Sloboda Tuzla 90.