MECHELEN, Belgium (Interstat) — Kortrijk will visit Mechelen on Saturday in a basketball game matching a team still seeking its first win against a home side trying to steady its season. Kortrijk enters at 0-5, while Mechelen is 2-3. The game offers Kortrijk a chance to break through after several close losses, and it gives Mechelen an opportunity to protect its home court.

Kortrijk’s most recent result was a 73-71 loss at Landstede. Jamarii Thomas led Kortrijk with 27 points, three rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes. A. Adamu added 10 points and five rebounds, and Jacquez Yow had nine points and six rebounds. Thomas is the player to watch for Kortrijk. He scored 22 points with four rebounds and five assists against Limburg and had four points, three rebounds and three assists at Leuven Bears. Kortrijk’s other results this season include an 88-83 home loss to Limburg, a 72-69 loss at Leuven, a 113-106 overtime loss at Port of Antwerp and an 85-76 home loss to Donar. Kortrijk is scheduled to host Mons-Hainaut next, followed by a trip to Liege.

Mechelen’s most recent result was a 95-86 loss at Shoeters Den Bosch. Max Klesmit produced 29 points, four rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes. Leander Dedroog scored 10 points with four rebounds and five assists, and Sigfredo Casero Ortiz added 17 points. Klesmit is the player to watch for Mechelen. He had 18 points, three rebounds and three assists at Port of Antwerp and 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists against CB Liege. Mechelen’s other results this season include a 109-75 loss at Port of Antwerp, a 96-78 home win over Liege, a 94-79 home loss to Okapi and a 109-100 win at Limburg. Mechelen is set to visit Leuven next, then host ZZ Leiden.

Mechelen will look to use its home court against a Kortrijk team that has been competitive in several losses but has not broken through. Kortrijk will need another strong scoring effort from Thomas to challenge the pregame expectations. Kortrijk will need support from Adamu and Yow to complement Thomas. Mechelen will need Klesmit to remain productive on offense while the team seeks a more balanced effort. Mechelen will rely on Klesmit’s recent form as it returns home.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Mechelen 92, Kortrijk 88. Interstat’s ELO system projects Kortrijk with a 54.2 percent probability to win. Mechelen has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -2.5, and the over/under for the game is 171.5.