FRANCA, Brazil (Interstat) — The Brazilian NBB’s top team, Franca, welcomes UNICEUB to Ginásio Pedro Murilla Fuentes on Tuesday night in a matchup of two of the league’s best.

Franca (44-13) owns the league’s best record, while UNICEUB (31-14) sits among the contenders. The teams have met four times this season, with Franca taking three of those games, including a 91-74 home win Saturday in which forward Lucas Dias Silva scored 30 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Dias Silva has been a force for Franca. In the past nine games, he has averaged 16.1 points and 6.8 rebounds, with double-doubles in two of the last three meetings against UNICEUB. In a May 18 home victory, he posted 14 points and 11 rebounds.

For UNICEUB, center Rafael Paulichi has been inconsistent but capable of big nights. In four games against Franca this season, he has scored 19, 5, 15 and 12 points. In UNICEUB’s lone win over Franca this season, a 67-50 decision May 21, Paulichi was held to five points but grabbed three rebounds and dished four assists.

UNICEUB is coming off a stretch of tightly contested games against Flamengo, winning three of six meetings in that series before falling to Franca on Saturday. Paulichi’s 19-point, nine-rebound effort in that loss wasn’t enough to overcome Franca’s balanced attack, which also featured 17 points and six assists from point guard Juan Laterza and 11 points from shooting guard Mooch Jackson.

Franca has won four of its last five games overall, with the lone loss coming at UNICEUB on May 21. In that game, Dias Silva was limited to five points but still collected 11 rebounds. Franca’s depth has been a strength all season.

Tuesday’s game could be pivotal as the NBB season approaches its climax. Franca leads the all-time series this season 3-1, with the average margin of victory in their wins being 12 points. UNICEUB’s victory came by 17.

Paulichi will need support from point guard Facundo Corvalan, who had 15 points and 10 assists in Saturday’s loss, and power forward Daniel Von Haydin, who added nine points and eight rebounds.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.