Flamengo and Estudiantes enter their return leg level after a first meeting shaped by pressure on Flamengo’s first pass and repeated Estudiantes attacks on loose balls. Jorginho’s return gives Flamengo a stronger way out, but the next contact after each clearance still matters. Oklahoma City can disrupt the paint and score through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Denver can answer through Nikola Jokic’s scoring and passing and several supporting creators. Both games turn on whether the side with the early edge can keep producing stops as well as attacks.
Estudiantes made the first leg physical and direct: Carrillo contested long balls, Piovi and the wide players collected second contacts, and Flamengo managed little clean work near goal. Jorginho played the full Bahia match after his suspension, and Flamengo’s Carrascal, Paquetá and wide runners then found much better access to the box. Estudiantes’ projected side includes Carrillo and Piovi, who played the first leg; Rojo is eligible after playing the intervening league game, while González Pirez and Tomás Palacios return from suspension. I expect Flamengo to see more of the ball at home, with Estudiantes using direct outlets and restarts to keep the score close. That’s why I’m siding with Estudiantes to stay within reach through regulation.
In Oklahoma City, Holmgren and Hartenstein can crowd Jokic’s paint touches, and Gilgeous-Alexander has McCain’s shooting alongside his own late scoring. Denver’s answer runs through Jokic finding Murray, Gordon and the wings when help collapses, with DeRozan sustaining the offense from the bench. Gordon rested Denver’s last preseason game but is expected back; Strawther is out and Spencer Jones is questionable after both missed that game. Oklahoma City’s listed absences also missed its opener. The Thunder built an early lead there with unusually hot shooting, yet San Antonio cut into it late. I expect Denver’s spread of scoring roles to keep it competitive across the game, so I’m siding with Denver to stay close.
