LPB PREVIEW: Galitos Barreiro at Queluz Sintra

QUELUZ, Portugal (Interstat) — Two teams near the bottom of the Portuguese LPB standings meet Saturday when Queluz Sintra hosts Galitos Barreiro at 7 p.m. local time.

Queluz Sintra (7-14) carries a slight advantage in the win column over Galitos Barreiro (5-16), but both clubs enter the game on the heels of losses. The home team dropped an 83-69 decision at SC Portugal on April 18, while Galitos fell 83-82 at home to Ovarense Dolce Vita the same day.

Galitos Barreiro guard Walyn Napper has been a bright spot despite the team’s struggles. In the one-point loss to Ovarense, Napper logged 34 minutes and posted 25 points, six rebounds, seven assists and one block. Over his past four games, the point guard is averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists. He scored a season-low six points in a loss at Porto on April 11 but bounced back with 25 against Ovarense.

Queluz Sintra counters with point guard Michael Bradley, who has been consistent in recent outings. Bradley tallied 17 points, five rebounds and five assists in the loss at Sporting CP. In the three prior games, he averaged 16 points, 2.7 rebounds and nine assists, including a 19-point, 10-assist double-double in a 74-73 win at Ovarense on April 11.

The teams met most recently on Jan. 10, when Galitos Barreiro won 91-81 at home. That game marked Queluz’s last loss in the series, though the teams have split their previous two meetings.

Galitos Barreiro has lost three of its past four games, with the lone win coming March 28 at Vitoria. Queluz has dropped four of its last five.

Key contributors for Galitos beyond Napper include center Brayden Carter, who had 24 points and five rebounds against Ovarense, and shooting guard Quentin Diboundje-Eyobo. For Queluz, forward Julius Dixon and center Wesley Robinson are expected to play significant roles alongside Bradley.

Saturday’s matchup offers both teams a chance to gain ground as they jockey for position in the lower half of the LPB standings.