Struggling NBB Sides Pato, Osasco Meet in Season’s Final Stages

SAO PAULO (Interstat) — Two of the Brazilian Novo Basquete Brasil’s most struggling teams will meet Saturday when Pato Basquete visits Osasco Basquete.

The matchup at 8:30 p.m. local time features clubs with a combined 11-54 record across all competitions this season. Osasco (5-30) sits at the bottom of the standings, with Pato (6-24) just one place above.

The game offers a rare opportunity for either squad to secure a victory. Both teams are mired in extended losing streaks. Pato has dropped six consecutive games since its last win on Feb. 12. Osasco has lost five of its last six, with its sole recent victory a 90-89 overtime win against Cearense on March 17.

A key individual matchup will feature each team’s most consistent recent performer. For Pato, shooting guard Michel de Souza has been a bright spot, averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists over his last five outings. He scored 14 points with six rebounds in Pato’s most recent loss, 78-70 to Ulbra on April 6.

Osasco will rely heavily on the explosive scoring of small forward Eddy Carvalho. He is coming off a career performance, pouring in 38 points to go with five rebounds and five assists in a 111-96 loss to Corinthians on April 7. However, his production has been volatile, scoring just nine and three points in the two games prior to his outburst.

In their April 6 defeat, Pato also saw strong contributions from power forward Joao Victor Fidelis Moda (14 points, nine rebounds) and point guard Lucas Nakazawa (11 points, six assists). Osasco’s loss to Corinthians featured a near triple-double from shooting guard Anthony Harris, who had 25 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists alongside Carvalho’s big night.

The teams have not met this season. Following this contest, Pato will travel to face Pinheiros on April 16. Osasco’s next game is at Mogi das Cruzes on April 17.