NBB MATCHUP: MINAS AT CRUZEIRO

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (Interstat) — The Minas Tênis Clube visits Cruzeiro on Friday, April 24, 2026, in a Brazilian NBB contest that pits the league’s one of its most dominant teams against an underdog fighting for pride.

Minas (33-12) enters on a hot streak, having won five of its last six games. The team most recently defeated Cruzeiro 99-94 on Tuesday, April 21, a game that saw forward Alexandre Paranhos post 20 points, six rebounds and one block in 24 minutes. Paranhos, a player to watch for Minas, has been consistent, averaging double figures in scoring over his last five appearances, including 13 points and seven rebounds in a 93-86 win at Flamengo on April 6.

Cruzeiro (13-25) has struggled this season but showed resilience in Tuesday’s narrow loss. Guard Isaac Thornton, a player to watch for the home side, exploded for 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes in that game. However, Thornton’s production has been uneven; he scored just two points in a win over Cearense on April 16 and has been held to single digits in three of his last seven outings.

The teams have met twice this season, both in Minas. Minas won the first, 101-88 on April 1, and the second, 99-94 on April 21. Cruzeiro last beat Minas on Nov. 1, 2025, a 84-76 home victory.

Minas also boasts guard Ricardo Fischer, who scored 23 points in Tuesday’s win, and forward Juan Arengo, who added 18 points. For Cruzeiro, point guard Leonardo Braga contributed 10 points and 10 assists in the last meeting, while center Ralfi Silva Ansaloni added 16 points and seven rebounds.

Friday’s game tips off at 8 p.m. local time.