Preview: Paraiba Looks to Sweep Season Series Against Struggling Cruzeiro

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the back half of the Novo Basquete Brasil season will meet Tuesday when Paraiba visits Cruzeiro.

The matchup at Ginásio do Mineirinho features teams with sub-.500 records. Paraiba (14-18) sits just outside the playoff picture, while Cruzeiro (12-23) is near the bottom of the league standings. Despite their positions, both are coming off recent victories.

Paraiba fell 80-70 to Caxias Do Sul last Thursday but had won two of its previous three games, including a 101-65 rout of Osasco Basquete on April 3. Cruzeiro snapped a five-game losing streak with an impressive 89-72 road win at Vasco da Gama on Saturday.

A key matchup will feature Paraiba’s Victor Leal against Cruzeiro’s Dominique Coleman. Leal, a center, is averaging 9.0 points and 6.5 rebounds over his last six games. He nearly posted a double-double in the last outing, with 12 points and nine rebounds against Caxias Do Sul.

Coleman, a forward, is Cruzeiro’s hottest hand. He exploded for 23 points in 32 minutes in the win over Vasco da Gama, providing a crucial offensive spark. His performance will be vital for a Cruzeiro team that has struggled to score consistently.

The teams last met on Dec. 27, 2025, with Paraiba earning an 85-77 home victory. Paraiba’s balanced attack that night overcame a 20-point effort from Cruzeiro’s Isaac Thornton.

For Paraiba, secondary scoring behind Leal will be essential. Guards Henrique Coelho and Melvin Johnson each contributed 15 points in the recent loss. Cruzeiro will rely on Coleman and Thornton, who had 18 points and five assists against Vasco, alongside forward Tulio Da Silva, who is coming off a 14-point, eight-rebound performance.

Following this game, Cruzeiro faces a quick turnaround, hosting Cearense on Thursday. Paraiba continues its road swing seeking a critical win to bolster its playoff aspirations.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.