In a pulsating clash that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, E.c. Pinheiros Sao Paolo edged out Vivo Franca 94-92 in a Novo Basquete Brasil thriller on June 5, 2026. The home side at the Ginásio Poliesportivo Henrique Villaboim delivered a statement victory, snapping a two-game losing streak and reigniting their playoff push in one of the tightest races in Brazilian basketball.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams traded blows in a game defined by its relentless pace and high-percentage shooting. Pinheiros took an early 28-24 lead in the first quarter thanks to sharp shooting from beyond the arc, but Franca responded with a dominant second frame, outscoring the hosts 30-18 to seize a 54-46 halftime advantage. The second half, however, belonged entirely to Pinheiros, who stormed back with a 27-19 third quarter and held on in a nerve-racking final period.

Key Moments

• Third-Quarter Surge: Pinheiros opened the third quarter on a 14-3 run, capped by a steal-and-dunk sequence from guard Lucas Dias that forced Franca into an early timeout.
• Clutch Free Throws: With 12 seconds remaining and the score tied at 92, Pinheiros forward João Paulo drew a foul on a drive and calmly sank both free throws, giving his team the lead for good.
• Missed Opportunity: Franca had a chance to force overtime, but a contested three-pointer from their star shooter David Jackson rimmed out at the buzzer, sealing the 94-92 result.

Tactical Story

Pinheiros head coach César Guidobono made a critical adjustment after halftime, switching to a zone defense that disrupted Franca’s spacing. The visitors, who had scored 54 points in the paint in the first half, managed only 16 interior points in the second. On offense, Pinheiros leaned on pick-and-roll actions that created mismatches, with veteran point guard Ricardo Fischer orchestrating the attack to the tune of eight assists. Franca, meanwhile, struggled to contain Pinheiros’s transition game, giving up 14 fast-break points in the decisive third quarter.

Standout Players

• Lucas Dias (Pinheiros): The 23-year-old guard posted a game-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, adding 6 rebounds and 4 steals. His energy on both ends ignited the comeback.
• João Paulo (Pinheiros): Delivered 18 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double, and his composure at the free-throw line in the final seconds proved invaluable.
• David Jackson (Franca): The American import torched the net for 26 points, including five three-pointers, but his last-second miss left him with a bittersweet stat line.
• Lucas Mariano (Franca): Added 20 points and 9 boards, but fouled out with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter, a crucial blow to Franca’s frontcourt depth.

Season Impact

The victory lifts Pinheiros to a 22-18 record, solidifying sixth place in the NBB standings and keeping them within striking distance of a top-four seed. Franca, meanwhile, falls to 24-16, slipping to third but still comfortably in playoff position. The win also evens the season series between the two clubs at 1-1, setting up a potential postseason rematch that now carries extra intrigue. With only six games remaining in the regular season, every result matters in the race for home-court advantage, and Pinheiros’s ability to grind out a close win against a top-tier opponent signals their readiness for the high-pressure games ahead.