Caxias do Sul vs. Rio Claro Prediction, Tips & Odds – Feb. 02, 2022
Brazilian NBB offers only match tonight but that is more than enough for our experts to find a value bet. Neighbors in the league standings, Caxias do Sul and Rio Claro, clash for the second time this season after Rio Claro were shocked by today´s hosts early on at home.
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Caxias do Sul
Caxias took advantage of their problems and incomplete roster at the start of the season winning narrowly by 65:63. Even though they are playing away from home, Rio Claro will have a good opportunity to make up for that defeat and surpass Caxias in the standings.
At the start of the year, Caxias were experiencing huge Covid issues. As a result, they suffered a heavy defeat to Corinthians(104:60), but a round later with some players back they were more competitive against Paulistano losing only by 6 points(89:83). After the Supercup break, they had the toughest schedule possible playing away against three title contenders. Sao Paulo, Flamengo, and Minas had no problems with them and all beat them easily by double-digits.
Although they have certain players back from Covid, they should still be without two key players. Esteban Cantarutti(7.9ppg) and Rafa Oliveira(11.0ppg) both suffered thigh injuries and their return date is unknown.
Rio Claro
Their opponents Rio Claro have a much stronger roster compared to the one they had in the initial h2h game. At the start of the season they were relying on purely domestic players but during December they decided to bring back their old American import Jamaal Smith. He didn´t need any introduction to the team and immediately started contributing. Also, he lifted their morale because he is their old leader and primary scorer. With him in the roster we definitely see Rio Claro entering the playoffs and maybe even threatening some top teams this season.
In addition, they recently acquired talented and young Australian player Zach Triplett who never really got a chance this season in the Aussie NBL. He had a pretty efficient season last summer in the local NBL1 league and is already proving to be a reinforcement for his new team.
Caxias do Sul vs. Rio Claro Prediction
Hosts should have their coach back from Covid along with some bench players but some of their key players are still injured and questionable. Even if they had a full roster tonight we don´t see them as favorites in this game because Rio Claro is much more powerful than a couple of months ago.
In the previous round, guests were doing well against one of the top teams Bauru but one of their best players entered foul trouble and couldn´t enter any rhythm. In the end, they lost the game so tonight they will look to make up for that home loss by winning this key fixture against one of their direct playoff rivals.
Prediction: Rio Claro +3.5HC
Odds: 1.81
Bookmaker: 22bet
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