In the duel against bottom-placed Caxias do Sul, the isolated leader Flamengo made the most of home advantage and position in the table and ignored the intense heat at Tijuca Tênis Clube to beat their opponents by a resounding 94 to 60. With a devastating third quarter, José Neto's team achieved the biggest points difference of the season this Tuesday (27).

Center JP Batista led Flamengo with 20 points and grabbed ten rebounds, achieving his second double-double of the season. Forward Marcelinho scored 17 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and led the team with seven assists. The duo combined for 30 of the team's 43 points in the first half. Olivinha had 11 rebounds, and Ronald Ramon had six assists. 

In his first season with the senior team, young winger Lelê was chosen to replace Marquinhos in the starting lineup. At 20, the youngster made his first appearance as a starter for the team in the NBB CAIXA and left the court with nine points in 22 minutes.

Early in the match, Flamengo benefited from excellent plays by Marcelinho and JP to open up an 11-point lead (18-7). However, in the first quarter, Caxias cut the deficit to four points (18-14). In the second quarter, Caxias maintained its balance, with the lead remaining around two points. But near the end of the first half, Caxias took off and went into halftime leading 43-32.

Flamengo dominated the third quarter. Playing at a blistering pace and with seven players scoring, the Pride of the Nation overwhelmed the team and won the quarter by an incredible 33-5: the score difference reached 39 points before the start of the fourth quarter (76-37).

Flamengo's first match in 2017 will be on Thursday, January 12th, away from home, against Minas Tênis Clube.