RIO DE JANEIRO (Interstat) — Flamengo will host Paisas Basket on Friday at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in a basketball game that matches a home team with an early split against a visiting side still seeking its first result of the season. Paisas Basket will be the visiting team, and Flamengo will be the home team. The game is scheduled for Friday.

Flamengo enters with a 1-1 record. Paisas Basket is 0-0. Flamengo most recently defeated Botafogo 81-71 at home. Ruan Miranda scored 20 points and A. Negrete added 17 in that win. Luis Montero, the player to watch for Flamengo, had nine points, 13 rebounds and three assists. Flamengo earlier dropped an 82-81 decision to Bauru. Montero scored 13 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished four assists and blocked three shots in that game.

Paisas Basket’s most recent result was a 96-75 loss at Nacional de Montevideo. The visiting team will look to establish pace and spacing against a Flamengo side that has shown balanced scoring in its early games. Flamengo’s recent win over Botafogo included productive efforts from Miranda and Negrete, while Montero’s rebounding and all-around play give the home team another focal point. Paisas Basket will aim to open its season with a road performance that controls turnovers and limits second-chance opportunities. The matchup at HSBC Arena will be Flamengo’s second home game in its early schedule and Paisas Basket’s first game of the season.

Paisas Basket will enter the game without a current win or loss on its season record. The team’s most recent action ended in a road loss at Nacional de Montevideo. Flamengo has split its first two games, winning at home against Botafogo and falling by one point at home to Bauru. Montero’s rebounding has been a notable part of Flamengo’s early play, and Miranda and Negrete have provided additional scoring options. The home team will try to control the paint and move the ball efficiently, while the visitors will seek to limit turnovers and stay within striking distance. The matchup will give Paisas Basket an early test against a Flamengo team that has already played two competitive games. Flamengo will seek to use its home-court advantage.

Paisas Basket’s next scheduled games are against Defensor Sporting and Obera. Flamengo’s upcoming schedule includes Obera, Defensor Sporting, Caxias Do Sul, Uniao Corinthians, UNICEUB, Pato Basquete, Franca, Paraiba, Cearense and Mogi das Cruzes. Flamengo will try to build on its recent home win while Paisas Basket will seek a strong start to its campaign.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Flamengo to defeat Paisas Basket by a final score of 92-88.