Le Mans host Pau-Orthez at Le Mans Arena on October 31 in a regular LNB fixture. It pairs the team in second place with the team in 12th, a ten-place gap. For Georgios Donis's side, the match is a chance to stay near the top of the table. H. Savaroc's Pau-Orthez need results to move up from the lower half.

The main factor is recent form. Le Mans have won all five matches in the data provided, three in the LNB and two in the Eurocup. In the league they won 98-87 at Saint Quentin on October 11, 91-90 at home against JL Bourg on October 18, and 97-72 at Boulazac on October 24. That is an average of 95.3 points scored and 83 conceded across those three games. The 25-point margin at Boulazac is the largest of the run, while the one-point win over JL Bourg shows they can also win a tight game.

Pau-Orthez's league run is more uneven. They lost at Nanterre 78-64 on September 26, lost at home to Dijon 89-61 on October 3, and lost 85-79 at Cholet on October 10. They then beat Saint Quentin 102-89 at home on October 17. That is one win in four LNB games, with an average of 76.5 points scored and 85.3 conceded. They also beat Tarbes 109-69 away in the French Cup on October 6.

Saint Quentin is a useful common opponent. Le Mans won there by 11 points, and Pau-Orthez won at home by 13.

Neither side has any reported unavailable players, so both should have their full squads to choose from.

Le Mans arrive with the stronger league position and results, and Pau-Orthez have shown in their latest league win that