AVEIRO, Portugal (Interstat) — Porto will aim to continue its strong start when it visits Esgueira on Friday at Pavilhão CPE in Aveiro, Portugal. Porto enters with a 2-1 record, while Esgueira is 0-2. The matchup pits a Porto side coming off a high-scoring home win against an Esgueira squad still seeking its first victory. Esgueira will be the home team, and Porto will be the visitor.

Porto’s most recent result was a 93-86 home win over Benfica. James Woodard scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Thomas Bropleh added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Xeyrius Williams contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Bropleh has been a steady presence for Porto. In his latest three games, he scored 17 points with seven rebounds and one assist against Benfica, posted eight points, five rebounds and one assist at Bonn, and delivered 25 points, six rebounds and three assists at CA Queluz. His 25-point effort at CA Queluz was his highest-scoring output in that stretch.

Porto’s other results this season include a 78-74 loss at Bonn and a 110-93 win at Queluz Sintra. Woodard, Bropleh and Williams have provided scoring and rebounding, giving Porto multiple options. The visiting side will look to control the pace and take advantage of its recent offensive output. Porto has scored at least 93 points in two of its three games and will try to keep that form on the road.

Esgueira will rely on Daniel Carr, who has been its most productive player. In its most recent game, SC Portugal beat Esgueira 88-60. Carr finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one block. Justin Bailey added 16 points, five rebounds and two assists, while Pedro Carvalhal scored 13 points with one rebound and two assists. Esgueira’s other result this season was an 84-64 home loss to CD Povoa.

Carr’s ability to score and rebound from the guard position will be important for Esgueira as it tries to stay competitive. Bailey and Carvalhal also showed they can contribute, but Esgueira will need a more balanced effort against a Porto team with size and scoring depth. The home side has struggled defensively in its first two games, allowing 88 and 84 points.

Porto next plays Bnei Herzliya before returning home to face CAB Madeira. Esgueira will visit Oliveirense before hosting Queluz Sintra. But the focus for both teams is Friday’s meeting at Pavilhão CPE.

Porto has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -21.5. The over/under for the game is 167.5.