Struggling Pato Basquete Faces Uphill Battle Against Paulistano in NBB Clash

SAO PAULO (Interstat) — A stark contrast in fortunes will be on display Saturday when the cellar-dwelling Pato Basquete visits the playoff-bound Paulistano in a Brazilian Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) matchup at Ginásio Antônio Prado Júnior.

Paulistano (22-10) enters the contest firmly positioned in the league’s upper tier, while Pato Basquete (6-26) languishes at the bottom of the standings. The home team has won seven of its last 10 games, despite a 70-84 road loss to Mogi das Cruzes on Wednesday. Center Lucas Siewert, a key player for Paulistano, posted 13 points and five rebounds in that defeat. He averaged 12.6 points over his last five games, including a 19-point performance in a narrow loss to Flamengo on March 23.

Pato Basquete is mired in a 10-game losing streak, most recently falling 68-77 at Osasco Basquete on April 11. The team’s last victory came on Feb. 14. Its lone bright spot has been forward Grigor Batista Vieira, who is averaging 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over his last five contests. He nearly recorded a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss to Osasco.

The season series, however, provides a glimmer of hope for the visitors. Pato Basquete stunned Paulistano 67-59 in their first meeting on Dec. 6, 2025, in what stands as one of Pato’s few wins this season.

Paulistano’s offense, which has topped 95 points four times since early March, will be heavily favored against a Pato defense that has allowed an average of 83.2 points during its 10-game skid. For Pato to replicate its December upset, it will need another standout performance from Vieira and must find a way to slow Siewert and Paulistano’s efficient attack.

Tipoff is set for Saturday night in Sao Paulo.