Brazilian NBB, Flamengo wins opener

The Brazilian NBB opened on Friday with a show stopping game between reigning champions Flamengo and Paulistano. Travelling team Flamengo put nearly a hundred points on the board, but needed to be at their best through a high scoring encounter as hosts Paulistano put up a convincing fight through the four quarters.

Paulistano vs. Flamengo, 91-99
The hosts opened the game strongly and attacked the Flamengo perimeter to pace to a 23-13 advantage, and kept the momentum going through the first quarter to lead 29-18 after 10 minutes on the hardwood. In the early exchanges of the second period the Rossoneri defence stood firm and the attack maintained consistency to hold a 37-26 lead midway through the frame. Flamengo started to perform more efficiently in the attacking paint and cut into the deficit, but Paulistano held on to head to the locker room with a three point advantage (48-45).

The teams traded buckets during the start of the second half, but the reigning Brazilian NBB champs were starting to find offensive touch, tying the game at 59 apiece. It had taken 25 minutes of action, but Flamengo finally took its first lead at 59-62 and managed to carry the momentum to the end of the stanza. Through 30 minutes Flamengo had wrestled control of the game and led by five, 73-78. The visitors looked good in the fourth quarter and made it a double digit game, the scoreboard reading 93-83. That was enough as the teams traded down the straight, handing Flamengo a hard fought win.

Walter Herrmann led the winners with 21 points and 6 boards, while Jerome Meyinsse hit 14 points, George Yeye Torres 13, Marquinhos 12, and Nicolas Laprovittola and Olvinha Rodriguez took 11 each.

Desmond Holloway paced Paulistano as they controlled the first half, he went on to a game high 29 points and 8 rebounds. Kenny Dawkins followed with 21 points and 6 assists.