PATO BRANCO, Brazil (Interstat) — Botafogo will try to secure its first win of the season when it visits Pato Basquete on Saturday at Ginasio do Sesi in Pato Branco, Brazil. Both teams enter the matchup at 0-1 and are seeking to move past season-opening losses. Botafogo will be the visiting team, while Pato Basquete will be the home team.

Botafogo dropped its most recent game 81-71 at Flamengo. Vinicius Chagas was a bright spot in the defeat, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and one assist in 21 minutes. Alexander Mudronja added five points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while J. De Moraes scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds. Chagas is the player to watch for Botafogo after his performance in the opener.

Pato Basquete also opened the season with a loss, falling 80-74 to Paulistano. Beller led Pato Basquete with 15 points, six rebounds and one assist in 28 minutes. Felipe Cardoso added 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and one block, while Grantham Gillard finished with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. Beller is the player to watch for Pato Basquete following his production in the opener. Pato Basquete will look to use its home setting at Ginasio do Sesi to establish rhythm and pressure Botafogo on both ends.

The matchup features two teams looking for their first victory after difficult opening results. Botafogo’s recent loss came on the road, while Pato Basquete’s defeat came at home. Each side will aim to correct early-season issues and set a better tone before its schedule continues. Botafogo’s upcoming slate includes home games against Caxias Do Sul and Uniao Corinthians before road matchups at UNICEUB and Paraiba. Pato Basquete’s upcoming schedule includes road games at Minas and Cruzeiro before a home matchup with Flamengo. Botafogo’s schedule also includes home games against Franca and Bauru, along with road games at Cearense, Sao Jose and Mogi das Cruzes. Pato Basquete will also host Bauru, Corinthians Paulista, Pinheiros and Franca, and will visit Uniao Corinthians and UNICEUB during its upcoming stretch. Both programs will aim to avoid a second straight loss to begin the season. The home team will seek a stronger finish after its opener, while the visitors will try to turn their individual production into a more complete team effort. The teams will continue their schedules after this matchup.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Botafogo 77, Pato Basquete 74. Botafogo has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under for this game is 157.