MOGI DAS CRUZES (Interstat) — Cearense will try to end a winless start when it visits Mogi das Cruzes on Wednesday at Ginasio Municipal Professor Hugo Ramos in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. Cearense is 0-3, while Mogi das Cruzes is 9-1 and has been among the league’s strongest early performers.

Mogi das Cruzes has won nine of its first 10 games, with its only loss coming at Franca. The team’s latest result was an 82-71 home win over Nacional. Dikembe Andre led Mogi das Cruzes in that game with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Daniel Von Haydin added 15 points and seven rebounds and Dontrell Brite scored 12 points. Andre also had 11 points and nine rebounds against Jorge Guzman, 14 points and nine rebounds at Bauru, 19 points and seven rebounds at Franca and six points and seven rebounds against Corinthians Paulista. He is the player to watch for Mogi das Cruzes.

Cearense has dropped games to Sao Jose, Pinheiros and Osasco. The most recent was a 96-53 loss at Sao Jose. Michael Dupree scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds for Cearense, while Gabriel Fernandes had 12 points and seven rebounds. Fernandes is the player to watch for Cearense. He scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds against Pinheiros and had 11 points and two assists against Osasco. Everton Gomes added two points, six rebounds and three blocks in the loss at Sao Jose. Pinheiros defeated Cearense 98-63, and Osasco beat Cearense 93-69.

Mogi das Cruzes also has recent wins over Independiente, Jorge Guzman, Paraiba, Bauru, Corinthians Paulista, Importadora Alvarado and Olimpia Kings. Mogi das Cruzes beat Independiente 99-97, Jorge Guzman 89-59, Paraiba 78-70, Bauru 79-61 and Corinthians Paulista 84-73. The team has scored at least 78 points in seven of its 10 games and has reached 89 points three times. Cearense has been held to 69 points or fewer in each of its three losses. Cearense’s upcoming schedule includes home games against Paulistano and Corinthians Paulista before road matchups at Minas and Cruzeiro. Mogi das Cruzes will play at Pinheiros and Osasco before returning home to face Paulistano. Mogi das Cruzes will then visit Sao Jose before hosting Paulistano. Cearense’s next 10 games also include home matchups with Botafogo and Flamengo and road games at Uniao Corinthians, Caxias Do Sul and Pato Basquete. Mogi das Cruzes’ upcoming games include visits to Pinheiros, Osasco, Sao Jose and Cruzeiro and home games against Paulistano, Flamengo and Botafogo.

Interstat’s game simulator is projecting a final score of Mogi das Cruzes 88, Cearense 74.