BARREIRO, Portugal (Interstat) — A clash of Portuguese League (LPB) teams heading in opposite directions unfolds Saturday when first-place Ovarense Dolce Vita visits last-place Galitos Barreiro.

The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time at Pavilhao Municipal Luis de Carvalho.

Ovarense (13-6) enters as the clear favorite, boasting the league’s best record and a dominant 88-64 victory over Galitos (5-15) when the teams met on Jan. 3. However, they are looking to rebound from a narrow 74-73 home loss to Queluz Sintra last Saturday.

Galitos, mired in a difficult season, showed fight in an 82-74 road loss to powerhouse Porto last weekend. Their last win was a notable 86-84 upset at Vitoria on March 28.

A key matchup will feature two impactful American big men. Ovarense’s Jackson Stormo, a consistent double-double threat, is coming off a strong stretch where he averaged 9.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists over his last four games. His 25-minute, 11-point, 13-rebound, 5-assist performance in an 83-60 rout of Porto on April 4 highlights his versatile impact.

For Galitos, forward Brayden Carter has been a workhorse, averaging 38.3 minutes and 18.3 points over his last four contests. He posted a 21-point, 12-rebound effort in the win over Vitoria and followed with 17 points and eight rebounds against Porto.

Ovarense’s depth has been a strength, with players like Rodrigo Soeiro and Antonio Woods providing scoring support alongside Stormo. Galitos will rely heavily on Carter and forward Rog Stein, who dished seven assists last week.

The visiting Ovarense squad has proven formidable on the road this season with wins at Braga, Esgueira and Imortal Albufeira. Galitos, struggling at home, must find an answer for Ovarense’s balanced attack to avoid a season sweep.

Following this match, Ovarense hosts Braga on April 25, while Galitos travels to face Queluz Sintra the same day.