Round 2 (Regular Season): Buducnost topple Split

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in ABA League. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Montenegrin Buducnost smashed Croatian Split in Podgorica 97-75. Buducnost dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Split's 28. They outrebounded Split 35-21 including 23 on the defensive glass. Buducnost looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Nigerian-American Rasheed Sulaimon (194-1994, college: Maryland) scored 21 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Nigerian center Udoka Azubuike (212-1999, college: Kansas) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. American Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) responded with 12 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Split will play next round against Crvena zvezda trying to get back on the winning streak. Buducnost will try to continue on its current victory against Igokea in Aleksandrovac.
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of FMP BG in Beograd. Visitors were edged by Mega BG 83-80. Bosnian forward Filip Jovic (204-2005) notched 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and Kosta Kondic supported him with 20 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 15 points and 19 rebounds by Bosnian-Serbian center Ognjen Kuzmic (213-1990) did not help to save the game for FMP BG. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Mega BG will play against Dubai on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. FMP BG will play against Borac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
One of the most interesting games of round 2 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Subotica where Partizan won against host Spartak 89-80. The best player for the winners was Sterling Brown who scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. Dusan Miletic produced 16 points and 9 rebounds for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Partizan will meet at home Cibona in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Spartak will play against Krka in Novo Mesto and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 2: Mornar was destroyed by Crvena zvezda on the opponent's court 91-72. Cedevita Ol. lost to Dubai in a home game 84-92. Krka recorded a loss to Borac on the road 71-80. Cibona defeated Derby on its own court 75-69.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 15 points and 9 rebounds by Zoran Nikolic of Derby.



Buducnost - Split 97-75

Montenegrin Buducnost smashed Croatian Split in Podgorica 97-75. Buducnost dominated down low during the game scoring 50 of its points in the paint compared to Split's 28. They outrebounded Split 35-21 including 23 on the defensive glass. Buducnost looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Nigerian-American Rasheed Sulaimon (194-1994, college: Maryland) scored 21 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Nigerian center Udoka Azubuike (212-1999, college: Kansas) chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four Buducnost players scored in double figures. American Shannon Shorter (193-1989, college: N.Texas) responded with 12 points and 4 assists and forward David Skara (203-1995, college: Clemson) scored 15 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Split will play next round against Crvena zvezda trying to get back on the winning streak. Buducnost will try to continue on its current victory against Igokea in Aleksandrovac.
Top scorers:
Buducnost: R.Sulaimon 21+4reb+5ast, Y.Ferrell 15+3ast, U.Azubuike 13+10reb+1ast, K.Kamenjas 10+5reb+4ast, M.Wright IV 8+2reb+4ast, N.Tanaskovic 8+2reb
Split: D.Skara 15+2reb+1ast, V.Kucic 13+1reb+3ast, S.Shorter 12+4reb+4ast, A.Jordano 8+1ast, T.Vuko 8+1reb, K.Ljubicic 7+2reb+1ast

Crvena zvezda - Mornar 91-72

Crvena zvezda used a home court advantage and crushed the opponent from Bar 91-72 on Saturday night. Crvena zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. The best player for the winners was American Mike Daum (206-1995, college: S.Dakota St.) who scored 18 points. Lithuanian Rokas Giedraitis (200-1992) chipped in 19 points. Crvena zvezda's coach used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman Branden Jenkins (196-1994, college: TxWes, agency: AltusBasket) produced 27 points and 4 steals and his fellow American import power forward Jamari Smith (203-2000, college: Murray St.) added 14 points respectively for the guests. Four Mornar players scored in double figures. Crvena zvezda will meet Split on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Mornar will play against Cedevita Ol. and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Crvena zvezda: R.Giedraitis 19+2reb, M.Daum 18+4reb, L.Mitrovic 10+2reb+2ast, I.Canaan 9+2reb+1ast, N.Nedovic 8+1reb+2ast, C.Miller-McIntyre 8+1reb+1ast
Mornar: B.Jenkins 27+2reb+2ast, J.Smith 14+4reb, L.Buljevic 10+3reb+2ast, J.Bediako 10+8reb, L.Runjic 8+4reb+4ast, I.Djokovic 2+1reb+4ast

Cedevita Ol. - Dubai 84-92

Very predictable result in Ljubljana where UAE Dubai defeated Slovenian Cedevita Ol. 92-84 on Sunday. Dubai made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. Dubai outrebounded Cedevita Ol. 39-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. Dubai looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was Slovenian Klemen Prepelic (191-1992) who scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American point guard Nate Mason (188-1995, college: Minnesota) chipped in 20 points and 7 assists. American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) produced 14 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import DJ Stewart Jr (197-1999, college: MSU) added 15 points respectively for the hosts. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Dubai will meet at home Mega BG in the next round. Cedevita Ol. will play against Mornar in Bar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Dubai: K.Prepelic 23+5reb+4ast, N.Mason 20+1reb+7ast, I.Taylor 10+2ast, A.Dwairi 9+6reb+3ast, D.Andjusic 7+3reb+1ast, N.Dangubic 6+7reb
Cedevita Ol.: D.Stewart Jr. 15+2reb, D.Robinson 14+8reb+2ast, M.Geben 11+1reb, A.Nikolic 11+1reb+2ast, D.Jones 9+2reb+2ast, B.Lemar 7+2reb+1ast

Mega BG - FMP BG 83-80

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of FMP BG in Beograd. Visitors were edged by Mega BG 83-80. Mega BG made 31-of-40 charity shots (77.5 percent) during the game. FMP BG was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Bosnian forward Filip Jovic (204-2005) notched 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the effort and Bosnian guard Kosta Kondic (193-2001) supported him with 20 points (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!). Even a double-double of 15 points and 19 rebounds by Bosnian-Serbian center Ognjen Kuzmic (213-1990) did not help to save the game for FMP BG. Swingman Vojislav Stojanovic (199-1997) added 21 points for the guests. Five Mega BG and four FMP BG players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Mega BG will play against Dubai on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. FMP BG will play against Borac and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mega BG: K.Kondic 20+4reb, F.Jovic 19+6reb, B.Markovic 12+7reb+2ast, J.Kayil 12+4reb+1ast, M.Petrovic 11+3reb+3ast, I.Milijasevic 5
FMP BG: V.Stojanovic 21+4reb, O.Kuzmic 15+19reb, M.Rebec 14+2reb+3ast, J.Novak 11+4reb+7ast, D.Tasic 8+7reb+2ast, R.Simovic 5+2reb

Borac CA - Krka 80-71

Borac used a home court advantage and won against the opponent from Novo Mesto 80-71 on Monday night. Borac dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Krka's 32. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Borac made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was center Marko Pavicevic (209-2002) who had a double-double by scoring 10 points and 11 rebounds. American point guard Diante Baldwin (182-1994, college: UNCG) chipped in 15 points. Miha Cerkvenik (201-2001) produced 6 points and 13 rebounds and point guard Jan Span (189-1992) added 14 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Borac will meet FMP BG in the next round. Krka will play against Spartak and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: D.Baldwin 15+3reb+3ast, D.Gagic 13+6reb+2ast, J.Furmanavicius 12+4reb+1ast, M.Smith 12+5reb+2ast, M.Pavicevic 10+11reb+1ast, M.Josilo 8+9reb+2ast
Krka: J.Span 14+3reb+3ast, J.Cebasek 12+4reb, M.Garcia 12+3reb, T.Persons 10+3reb+5ast, R.Jurkovic 6+1reb, J.Klobucar 6+4reb+1ast

Spartak - Partizan 80-89

One of the most interesting games of round 2 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Subotica where Partizan won against host Spartak 89-80. The best player for the winners was American guard Sterling Brown (197-1995, college: SMU) who scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. South Sudanese point guard Carlik Jones (185-1997, college: Louisville) chipped in 15 points and 7 assists. Center Dusan Miletic (213-1998) produced 16 points and 9 rebounds and forward Luka Cerovina (201-2000) added 12 points and 10 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Partizan will meet at home Cibona in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Spartak will play against Krka in Novo Mesto and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Partizan: S.Brown 21+5reb+1ast, C.Jones 15+2reb+7ast, I.Bonga 13+3reb, B.Koprivica 11+5reb, G.Lundberg 8+3reb+6ast, T.Jones 6+4reb
Spartak: D.Miletic 16+9reb+1ast, R.Bolton 15+1reb+4ast, L.Cerovina 12+10reb, D.Nikolic 11+6reb+3ast, M.Rudan 9+3reb, D.Daniels 9+1reb+1ast

Cibona - Derby 75-69

There was a surprise result in Zagreb where Croatian Cibona beat Montenegrin Derby 75-69 on Tuesday. The best player for the winners was Swiss-Croatian forward Toni Rocak (206-1999, college: USF) who scored 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). American point guard Anthony Barber (188-1994, college: NC State) chipped in 17 points and 5 assists. Center Zoran Nikolic (212-1996) produced 15 points and 9 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and David Mirkovic (206-2006) added 8 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Cibona will meet Partizan in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Derby will play against Zadar and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cibona: T.Rocak 17+6reb+5ast, A.Barber 17+3reb+5ast, P.Jok 16+5reb+1ast, T.Zanna 9+2reb, K.Radovcic 9+3reb+4ast, I.Majcunic 3+2reb
Derby: Z.Nikolic 15+9reb+1ast, L.Bogavac 11+4reb+1ast, F.Andjusic 9+1reb, D.Mirkovic 8+7reb+3ast, E.Neal 7+3reb+6ast, E.Hadzibegovic 5+3reb