SAO PAULO (Interstat) — The Brazilian NBB playoffs continue Thursday as Franca visits Pinheiros for Game 3 of their best-of-five series at Ginasio Poliesportivo Henrique Villaboim.

Franca holds a 2-0 series lead after winning 82-73 at home on Sunday. The top-seeded Franca squad, which has a 46-14 record across all competitions, looks to close out the series on the road. Pinheiros, 37-10 overall, faces elimination as it tries to defend its home court.

Franca forward George Lucas has been a driving force in the postseason. In the series opener on May 31, he played 31 minutes, recording 12 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Two nights earlier, in a 68-66 win over UNICEUB, Lucas had 15 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes. Over his last five games, he has averaged a double-double.

Pinheiros guard David Sloan led all scorers in Game 1 with 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting, adding three rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes. He also had 16 points and seven assists in a win over Corinthians on May 26 and 12 points in a one-point victory at Corinthians on May 23.

The series opened with Franca controlling the paint, outrebounding Pinheiros 42-33. Rafael Mineiro added 16 points and three rebounds for Franca, while Juan Laterza chipped in 11 points and four assists. For Pinheiros, center C.J. Penha had 16 points and seven rebounds, and forward Betinho Nardi Duarte scored 14 points with six boards.

Thursday’s game marks the fourth meeting between the teams this season. Franca won the first three, including a 95-81 home win on Jan. 10 and an 87-69 road victory on Oct. 21, 2025. The teams did not play at Pinheiros’ home arena during the regular season.

Franca enters the game having won four of its last five, with the lone loss a 71-69 defeat at UNICEUB on May 26. Pinheiros has split its last 10, including a 95-65 blowout of Corinthians on May 18 and an 84-74 win at Paulistano on May 9.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time. The winner can advance to the next round with a victory; Franca can also clinch the series with a win, while Pinheiros must win to extend the series to Game 4.