SAO PAULO (Interstat) — Pinheiros and Franca meet Sunday in a pivotal NBB matchup, with both teams jockeying for playoff positioning. The game tips off at 7 p.m. local time at Franca’s home arena.

Pinheiros (38-11) enters on a high after a 94-92 win over Franca on Thursday, snapping a two-game skid in the season series. The visitors have won three of their last five overall, but have struggled on the road against Franca, losing 82-73 on May 31.

Franca (47-15) leads the league standings and has won three of the last four head-to-head meetings. The home team lost the most recent contest, but had won 78-75 on June 2 and 82-73 on May 31. Franca also took two of three against Pinheiros earlier this season, including a 95-81 home win on Jan. 10.

Players to watch

Pinheiros guard Betinho Nardi Duarte has been red-hot against Franca. In Thursday’s win, he played 24 minutes and scored 30 points with two rebounds and two assists. Over his last three games against Franca, he has averaged 18 points. In his past seven outings overall, he has scored at least 14 points five times, including 21 points in a win at Corinthians on May 23 and 18 points in a win over Corinthians on May 26.

Franca forward George Lucas has been a consistent force. In Thursday’s loss, he logged 38 minutes and finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block. In the June 2 win, he posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, adding five assists and two blocks. Over his last six games, Lucas has recorded three double-doubles, including 12 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Pinheiros on May 31.

Recent results

Pinheiros’ past 10 games: Won 94-92 vs. Franca (June 4); lost 75-78 vs. Franca (June 2); lost 73-82 at Franca (May 31); won 88-76 vs. Corinthians (May 26); won 82-81 at Corinthians (May 23); lost 84-98 at Corinthians (May 20); won 95-65 vs. Corinthians (May 18); won 84-74 at Paulistano (May 9); won 76-68 at Paulistano (May 7); won 101-92 (OT) vs. Paulistano (May 4).

Franca’s past 10 games: Lost 92-94 at Pinheiros (June 4); won 78-75 at Pinheiros (June 2); won 82-73 vs. Pinheiros (May 31); won 68-66 vs. UNICEUB (May 28); lost 69-71 vs. UNICEUB (May 26); won 91-74 at UNICEUB (May 23); lost 50-67 at UNICEUB (May 21); won 76-67 vs. UNICEUB (May 18); won 78-77 vs. Mogi das Cruzes (May 15); lost 90-102 vs. Mogi das Cruzes (May 13).

Key trends

Pinheiros is 4-3 in its last seven road games, while Franca is 6-1 in its last seven home games. The teams have split the last four meetings, but Franca has won three of the four games played at home.

Tipoff is Sunday at 7 p.m. local time.