MOGI DAS CRUZES (Interstat) — Nacional will visit Mogi das Cruzes on Sunday at Ginasio Municipal Professor Hugo Ramos in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, in a matchup of two teams off to strong starts. Nacional is 4-1 this season, while Mogi das Cruzes is 8-1 and has been one of the circuit’s most consistent teams. The home team has won four straight and will try to protect its court against a Nacional side seeking a signature road result.

Nacional enters after a 107-88 home win against Jorge Guzman. Luismal Ferreiras led the way with 20 points and 14 rebounds, Ignacio Xavier added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Nick King scored 25 points. Ferreiras has been productive throughout the early season. He had 16 points and 15 rebounds in a 101-98 win at Independiente de Oliva, 14 points and seven rebounds in a 78-80 loss at Jorge Guzman, and 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 106-96 win at Regatas. He is the player to watch for Nacional as it tries to challenge a Mogi das Cruzes team with the better record. Nacional’s other result was a 97-90 win against Corinthians Paulista.

Mogi das Cruzes most recently earned a 99-97 home win against Independiente. George De Paula is the player to watch for the home team. His recent performances include 24 points and 17 rebounds with three assists in a 78-70 win against Unifacisa, 17 points and 11 rebounds with four assists in an 84-73 win against Corinthians Paulista, and 12 assists in a loss at Franca. Mogi das Cruzes has also posted wins against Jorge Guzman, Paraiba, Bauru, Importadora Alvarado and Olimpia Kings during its strong start.

The matchup features contrasting records and recent form. Nacional has won three of its last four and has shown scoring balance, while Mogi das Cruzes has won four straight and has leaned on De Paula’s all-around play. Ferreiras gives Nacional a strong inside presence and rebounding threat. Mogi das Cruzes will need to limit his second-chance opportunities and control the pace. Nacional will need to handle De Paula and avoid allowing Mogi das Cruzes to build an early home advantage. The game is scheduled for Sunday at Ginasio Municipal Professor Hugo Ramos.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Nacional 91, Mogi das Cruzes 85. Interstat’s ELO system projects Mogi das Cruzes with an 89 percent probability to win. Mogi das Cruzes has been installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -4.5. The over/under for the game is 174.5.