Pitagoras Minas Cruise Past Pato 86-65 in NBB

Pitagoras Minas produced a commanding 86-65 home victory over Pato in Novo Basquete Brasil on October 28, 2026, using a dominant second quarter to take control of the game and never looking back. The win was built on balanced scoring, aggressive defensive pressure, and a decisive edge in the paint, and it gave Minas one of its most comfortable results of the early season.

The NBB matchup tipped off at 06:00 and quickly settled into a pattern: Minas attacked the rim with purpose, while Pato struggled to find rhythm against a compact half-court defense. By halftime, the game already had a clear direction, and Minas managed the second half with maturity to close out an important home win.

Match Overview

Minas started steadily and led 22-18 after the first quarter. The real separation came in the second period, when the hosts opened with a 15-2 run and turned a close game into a comfortable advantage. Pato’s offense stalled against Minas’ pressure, and the home side took a 49-30 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter was more competitive, with Pato finding some success inside and outscoring Minas 19-18. But the visitors never managed to cut the deficit to single digits. Minas responded with a controlled fourth quarter, keeping the lead above 15 points and finishing with a 19-16 edge to complete an 86-65 win.

• Final score: Pitagoras Minas 86, Pato 65
• Quarter scores: 22-18, 27-12, 18-19, 19-16
• Top scorer: Lucas Silva (Minas) 22 points
• Top rebounder: Rafael Costa (Minas) 13 rebounds
• Assist leader: Gabriel Rocha (Minas) 8 assists

Key Moments

The second-quarter run was the defining stretch of the game. With Minas leading by only four points, the hosts increased their defensive intensity and forced Pato into a series of rushed shots. Lucas Silva sparked the surge with back-to-back baskets in transition, and Rafael Costa controlled the glass at both ends. When the run ended, Minas had turned a competitive game into a 19-point halftime lead.

Pato briefly threatened a response early in the third quarter, scoring seven of the first nine points after the break to force a Minas timeout. But Minas answered immediately with a three-pointer and a strong post finish, snuffing out the comeback before it could gain momentum. From there, the hosts managed the clock and kept the game at a safe distance.

Tactical Story

Minas won this game with defense and transition offense. The hosts forced 18 Pato turnovers and converted them into 24 points, often attacking before the visitors’ defense could set. Minas also dominated inside, holding a 40-24 advantage in paint scoring and a 44-36 edge in rebounding.

Pato’s half-court attack lacked fluidity. The visitors shot below 40% from the field and made only a handful of perimeter shots in the first half, which allowed Minas to shrink the floor and crowd the paint. Minas, by contrast, shared the ball well, finishing with 21 assists on 31 made field goals. That ball movement helped the hosts maintain a high-quality shot profile even after the game was effectively decided.

Standout Players

Lucas Silva led Minas with 22 points and six assists, consistently breaking down Pato’s defense off the dribble. Rafael Costa was a force on the boards, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double. Gabriel Rocha added 12 points and eight assists, giving Minas a reliable secondary creator and helping the team keep its offensive rhythm through all four quarters.

For Pato, Bruno Almeida was the most consistent performer with 16 points, while Thiago Nunes added 12 points and six rebounds. The visitors struggled to find a third scoring option for long stretches, which made it difficult to keep pace once Minas’ defense tightened in the second quarter.

NBB Standings Impact

The result strengthens Pitagoras Minas’ position in the Novo Basquete Brasil standings and gives the team confidence heading into a demanding stretch of the schedule. Winning at home by more than 20 points can also provide a useful points-differential cushion in a league where tiebreakers often matter.

Pato will need to correct its road form quickly. The team showed flashes in the third quarter, but allowing a decisive second-quarter run put it in a difficult position. The NBB season is long, but performances like this highlight the importance of limiting turnovers and finding more balanced scoring around Bruno Almeida.