BAURU, Brazil (Interstat) — A surging Franca squad, boasting the best record in the Brazilian Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), visits a struggling Bauru team on Monday in a clash of teams on opposite trajectories.

The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. local time at Ginásio Panela de Pressão.

Franca (32-9) enters on a five-game winning streak, including a 79-75 road victory over Mogi das Cruzes last Friday. They have not lost since March 11. Bauru (17-13) looks to rebound from a damaging 87-79 overtime loss at Mogi das Cruzes on April 1, which snapped a brief two-game win streak.

All eyes will be on Franca guard George Lucas, who is playing at an elite level. Over his last eight games, he is averaging 17.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists, including a 31-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance in a win over Corinthians on March 24. He posted a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds in the recent win over Mogi.

Bauru will counter with forward Alex Ribeiro Garcia, who logged 42 minutes and scored 18 points with 7 rebounds in the overtime loss. He has been a consistent contributor, averaging 10.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists over his last five contests.

The teams last met on Dec. 20, 2025, with Franca securing an 85-68 home victory. Franca’s current run of form makes them a heavy favorite, but Bauru has shown resilience at home this season, including a 96-84 win over Paraiba on March 21.

A win for Franca would solidify its top standing as the playoffs approach, while Bauru is in need of a signature victory to stabilize its postseason positioning.

Following this matchup, Franca hosts Pato Basquete on April 9, while Bauru’s next contest is at Ulbra on April 16.