In the second game of the home marathon, Flamengo hosts Pinheiros to take the lead
NBB classic involves the competition's leader and runner-up in a direct duel for the top spot
By Lucas Dantas - in
If it's tradition you're after, this Thursday you'll get it. The New Basketball Brazil round holds a classic duel for FlaBasquete. The team of Varejão, Olivinha, and company will face Esporte Clube Pinheiros at Arena Carioca 1, starting at 20:45 PM, in a matchup that has been repeated in every edition of the NBB. Flamengo and Pinheiros are two of the six teams that have played each season, always with extremely close matches and a history of close scores.
This match will be a duel between the leaders and runners-up. With four wins in four matches, Mengão is swimming in the lead. The only team with a 100% record, they host their São Paulo rival, who has four wins in five games. With another victory, Mengão will further widen their lead over their opponent and other teams in the standings.
THE CONFRONTATION
Present in every edition, the two teams have faced each other 27 times, 20 in the qualifying round and eight in the playoffs. Flamengo has won 16 times (11 in qualifying and five in the playoffs) and lost 11 times (eight or three). In the last edition, Flamengo won both matches during the qualifying round. At Arena Carioca, they won 72-68, and you can relive the highlights in the video below on FlaTV.
SPEAK, JHONATAN
With 23 points, he was "the man" in the victory over Mogi das Cruzes last Tuesday. Now, the number seven assesses this Thursday's opponent and mentions the lack of time for training between games.
"It's another test at home. Pinheiros is coming off a few wins, they're a very competitive team, and we're preparing. With no time for training, we have to be ready, mentally and physically, to arrive at the game in good shape."
THE ADVERSARY
Pinheiros has already played five matches in this season's NBB, one more than Flamengo. In second place, the team has four wins and one loss. See below for statistics comparing the teams this season (Source: NBB official website)
SPEAK, COACH
"Pinheiros is a very high-quality team, with very dangerous players. They're especially dangerous because of their versatility. They change their style of play, so we'll have to adapt quickly to neutralize this strength of theirs."
Red-black cast
These are the players named by coach Gustavo De Conti for the match against Pinheiros.
Shipowners: Franco Balbi, Davi Rossetto and Matheusinho
Shooting guards: Deryk Ramos and Kevin Crescenzi
Wings: Jhonatan Luz and Marquinhos
Power forwards: Olivinha, David Nesbitt and Ruan
Centers: Anderson Varejao, João Vitor and Rafael Mineiro
Transmission
The match will be broadcast live on BandSports.
Tickets
Tickets for the match are on sale online (CLICK HERE) and at the Arena Carioca 1 ticket office.
Social media coverage
You can also follow the match live on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #TimeDeTradição. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. FlaTV also brings exclusive footage to the Flamengo Nation. Sign up with one click, it's free!
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo receive funding from their sponsors – thinkseg, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, and EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and the State Incentive Law/Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Sports, Recreation, and Youth (Seelje), in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources generated by the Pelé Law. The Anjo da Guarda Rubro-Negro Project, a personal tax transfer, benefits all Olympic sports of the Most Beloved.