MOGI DAS CRUZES, Brazil (Interstat) — Mogi das Cruzes hosts Sao Jose on Saturday at Ginasio Municipal Professor Hugo Ramos in a Brazilian NBB matchup that carries playoff implications for both sides.

Mogi das Cruzes (22-15) enters with a half-game lead over Sao Jose (20-16) in the standings. The home team has won each of the two previous meetings this season, including a 75-70 victory Wednesday at Sao Jose.

Duane Johnson leads Mogi das Cruzes. The power forward scored 23 points on 24 minutes in that win and has averaged 14.0 points over his last five games. He posted 21 points and 12 rebounds in an 87-82 win at Corinthians on April 10 and added 10 points and seven rebounds in an 87-79 overtime victory against Bauru on April 1.

Sao Jose counters with Douglas Silva, who recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds in Wednesday’s loss. Silva also had 13 points and two rebounds in a 91-93 defeat to Franca on April 1. The forward has been a consistent interior presence for a team that has dropped five of its last seven games.

Sao Jose’s recent slide includes a 97-88 loss at Corinthians on April 17 and a 90-78 defeat at UNICEUB on April 7. The team did manage a 76-75 home win over Pinheiros on April 10 and a 68-65 victory at Caxias Do Sul on April 15.

Mogi das Cruzes has been more consistent, winning four of its last six. After Wednesday’s victory, the team fell 76-73 at home to Osasco Basquete on April 17 but bounced back with an 84-70 win over Paulistano on April 15 and an 87-82 road win at Corinthians on April 10.

Head-to-head, Mogi das Cruzes has dominated recently. In addition to Wednesday’s win, the team defeated Sao Jose 78-68 at home on Feb. 22. In that game, Dikembe Andre contributed nine points and nine rebounds, and Charles Hinkle added 12 points and five rebounds for Mogi das Cruzes.

For Sao Jose, Malcolm Miller had nine points and three rebounds in Wednesday’s loss, while Anderson Rodrigues chipped in four points and seven rebounds.

Saturday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. local time. Both teams will look to build momentum as the regular season winds down and the NBB playoffs approach.