Liga Nationala Round 20 (Regular Season): Oradea lose to Voluntari

The Regular Season in Liga Nationala is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Oradea (15-2) recorded its second loss at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Voluntari (14-4) 92-79. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Oradea. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The game was mostly controlled by Voluntari. Oradea managed to win second period 21-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Voluntari made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Mike Caffey (183-1993, college: LBSU, agency: Players Group) who scored 25 points. The other American import guard Kodi Justice (199-1995, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 24 points. The former international point guard Kris Richard (195-1989, college: Tulane) produced 22 points and 5 assists for the hosts. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Voluntari have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 14-4 record behind leader Cluj Napoca. Oradea at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. Voluntari are looking forward to face Valcea (#7) in Ramnicu Valcea in the next round where they are favorite. Oradea will play on the road against Brasov (#9) and is hoping to win this game.
Bottom-ranked Galati (0-18) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 99-77 loss to eleventh ranked Rapid (9-10) in Galati. Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 6 rebounds. Roman Penn contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Serbian point guard Mihailo Jovicic (190-1999, agency: BIG) replied with 14 points and 9 rebounds for Galati. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rapid moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Sibiu. Galati at the other side still closes the standings with 18 games lost. Rapid will play against Targu Jiu (#14) in Rovinari in the next round. Galati will play at home against Craiova and hopes to get finally their first victory.
The game in Bucuresti was also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Craiova (11-7) played at the court of fifth ranked Dinamo (12-7). Dinamo defeated Craiova 88-77 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of Marcus Lewis who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 steals. Ishmael Leggett responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Dinamo have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Loser Craiova dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. Dinamo will meet Timisoara (#6) on the road in the next round. Craiova will play against Galati and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 20 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Pitesti defeated Targu Jiu in a road game 93-79. Sibiu beat Targu Mures at home 96-87. Valcea destroyed Ploiesti CSM on the opponent's court 94-69. Steaua unfortunately lost to Timisoara in a home game 78-84.
The best stats of 20th round was 24 points and 12 assists by MJ Randolph of Sibiu.



Targu Jiu - Pitesti 79-93

There was no surprise in Rovinari where 14th ranked Targu Jiu (1-18) was defeated by third ranked Pitesti (13-6) 93-79 on Monday. Pitesti made 21-of-26 free shots (80.8 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Serbian guard Radovan Djokovic (198-1996, agency: 011 Sports) who helped to win the game recording 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Kendall Lewis (203, college: Illinois St.) who added 13 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Pitesti players scored in double figures. Pitesti's coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Marcus Evans (188-1996, college: VCU, agency: Olsta) responded with 22 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Collin Cooper (188-2001, college: EKU) scored 18 points. Pitesti maintains third position with 13-6 record despite having the same number of points like the leader Cluj Napoca. Targu Jiu lost sixth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the fourteenth place with 18 games lost. Pitesti will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Targu Jiu will play against Rapid (#10) in Bucuresti and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Targu Jiu: M.Evans 22+5reb+1ast, C.Cooper 18+2reb+2ast, L.Djonkam 11+7reb, S.Gribinic 9+3reb+1ast, R.Montgomery Jr. 7+2reb, C.Mihai-Nicolae 6+2reb
Pitesti: D.Radovan 26+6reb+4ast, T.Marcus 14+1reb, L.Kendall 13+7reb+3ast, B.Catalin 12+6reb+1ast, V.Nicolas 9+3reb, L.Teafale 9+1reb+1ast

Sibiu - Targu Mures 96-87

There was a small surprise when eleventh ranked Sibiu (9-10) defeated at home 8th ranked Targu Mures (10-9) 96-87 on Monday. Sibiu dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Targu Mures' 38. Sibiu looked well-organized offensively handing out 27 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard MJ Randolph (193-1999, college: FAMU) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 24 points and 12 assists (on 12-of-15 shooting from the field) and the other American import power forward Anthony Smith (203-1997, college: Murray St.) who added 24 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Randolph is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Montenegrin point guard Goran Martinic (187-1987, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) responded with 14 points and 5 assists and Montenegrin Milija Mikovic (205-1994, agency: Interperformances) scored 19 points. Four Targu Mures players scored in double figures. Sibiu moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Rapid. Loser Targu Mures keep the eighth position with nine games lost. Sibiu will meet at home Ploiesti CSM (#13) in the next round. Targu Mures will play against Steaua (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Targu Mures: M.Mikovic 19+4reb, P.Reljic 15+4reb+1ast, G.Martinic 14+4reb+5ast, V.Corpodean 13+5reb+1ast, T.Diggs 13+1reb+1ast, M.Scott 7+8ast
Sibiu: S.Anthony 24+10reb+3ast, R.MJ 24+2reb+12ast, S.Keith 22+8reb, F.David 8+3reb+2ast, K.Tavon 8+2reb+2ast, R.Eduard 6+1reb+1ast

Ploiesti CSM - Valcea 69-94

Very expected game when 13th ranked Ploiesti CSM (6-12) was rolled over at home by eighth ranked Valcea (10-7) 94-69 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by Valcea. Ploiesti CSM managed to win second period 26-23. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded Ploiesti CSM 39-27 including 31 on the defensive glass. Valcea looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Ploiesti CSM's players. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward DeAndre Pinckney (203-2000, college: Southern Miss) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and Belgian point guard Emmanuel Lecomte (180-1995, college: Baylor, agency: Players Group) who added 14 points and 9 assists during the contest. American DeVante Brooks (198, college: S.Arkansas, agency: Players Group) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and the former international point guard Codrut-Alexander Dinu (187-2007) scored 21 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Valcea moved-up to seventh place. Ploiesti CSM lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with 12 games lost. Valcea will meet league's second-placed Voluntari on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Ploiesti CSM will play against Sibiu (#11) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ploiesti CSM: D.Codrut-Alexander 21+6reb, D.Brooks 16+10reb+1ast, J.Febres 12+3reb+2ast, V.Brkic 10+1reb+1ast, K.Cooper 7+2ast, C.George-Cristian 2+2reb
Valcea: P.DeAndre 22+6reb+2ast, H.Terrell 16+4reb+1ast, M.Patrick 14+5reb+1ast, L.Emmanuel 14+3reb+9ast, G.Kenny 9+3reb+1ast, L.Tohatan 7+1reb+7ast

Oradea - Voluntari 79-92

Top ranked Oradea (15-2) recorded its second loss at the home court on Sunday night. Hosts were defeated by second ranked Voluntari (14-4) 92-79. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Oradea. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in the league. The game was mostly controlled by Voluntari. Oradea managed to win second period 21-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Voluntari made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American point guard Mike Caffey (183-1993, college: LBSU, agency: Players Group) who scored 25 points. The other American import guard Kodi Justice (199-1995, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 24 points. The former international point guard Kris Richard (195-1989, college: Tulane) produced 22 points and 5 assists and Mali-French Bandja Sy (204-1990, college: NM State) added 14 points respectively for the hosts. Five Oradea players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Voluntari have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 14-4 record behind leader Cluj Napoca. Oradea at the other side still keeps top place with two games lost. Voluntari are looking forward to face Valcea (#7) in Ramnicu Valcea in the next round where they are favorite. Oradea will play on the road against Brasov (#9) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Oradea: K.Richard 22+4reb+5ast, B.Sy 14+3reb, E.Nzekwesi 12+3reb+1ast, T.Bropleh 11+3reb+2ast, S.Pridgett 10+2reb+1ast, N.Kocovic 4+2reb+1ast
Voluntari: C.Mike 25+2reb+2ast, J.Kodi 24+3reb+1ast, W.Giordan 18+3ast, S.Lee 9+5reb+1ast, Y.Solomon 4+8reb+2ast, B.Mouhamed 4+3reb

Galati - Rapid 77-99

Bottom-ranked Galati (0-18) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 99-77 loss to eleventh ranked Rapid (9-10) in Galati. The game was mostly controlled by Rapid. Galati was better in second period 20-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Rapid made 25-of-31 charity shots (80.6 percent) during the game. Rapid outrebounded Galati 38-27 including 29 on the defensive glass. Galati was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Serbian center Nikola Jevtovic (209-1989, agency: 011 Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 20 points and 6 rebounds. American point guard Roman Penn (182-1997, college: Drake) contributed with 17 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Serbian point guard Mihailo Jovicic (190-1999, agency: BIG) replied with 14 points and 9 rebounds and Lithuanian forward Martynas Arlauskas (203-2000, college: Gonzaga) added 14 points in the effort for Galati. Five Rapid and four Galati players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rapid moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Sibiu. Galati at the other side still closes the standings with 18 games lost. Rapid will play against Targu Jiu (#14) in Rovinari in the next round. Galati will play at home against Craiova and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Galati: M.Jovicic 14+9reb+2ast, M.Arlauskas 14+4reb+3ast, P.Ianis 13+3reb+3ast, M.Vlaicu 11+1reb+1ast, N.Johnson 8+2reb, S.Robert 6+3reb
Rapid: J.Nikola 20+6reb+3ast, F.Tudor 17+3reb+1ast, P.Roman 17+5reb+3ast, P.Edward 11+4reb, L.Oleksandr 11+5reb, S.Lewis 11+4reb+1ast

Dinamo B. - Craiova 88-77

The game in Bucuresti was also quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Craiova (11-7) played at the court of fifth ranked Dinamo (12-7). Dinamo defeated Craiova 88-77 on Sunday. The hosts trailed by 8 points at the halftime before their 57-38 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Dinamo dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Craiova's 28 and made 31-of-36 free shots (86.1 percent) during the game, while Craiova only scored ten points from the stripe. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Marcus Lewis (196-1992, college: EKU) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 5 steals and Guinean-American power forward Ousmane Drame (206-1993, college: Quinnipiac) who added 10 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. American guard Ishmael Leggett (190, college: Pittsburgh) responded with 16 points and 8 rebounds and his fellow American import point guard Sam Sessoms (182-1999, college: Coppin St.) scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Dinamo have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Loser Craiova dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. Dinamo will meet Timisoara (#6) on the road in the next round. Craiova will play against Galati and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Craiova: I.Leggett 16+8reb+2ast, D.Vida 13+3reb+3ast, S.Sessoms 13+5reb+8ast, K.Robinson 12+4reb+2ast, D.Dishman 9+4reb+1ast, V.Nistor 7+3reb+3ast
Dinamo B.: L.Marcus 30+3reb, B.Vyacheslav 14+4reb+3ast, K.Nandor 10+5reb+2ast, D.Ousmane 10+14reb+2ast, V.Radu 8+1ast, S.Jonathan 7+3reb+3ast

Steaua B. - Timisoara 78-84

Very predictable result in Bucuresti where seventh ranked Timisoara (11-8) beat 12th ranked Steaua (8-11) 84-78 on Sunday. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Steaua won fourth quarter 22-20. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Devon Thomas (183-1994, college: Texas Tech) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 assists and Serbian-Austrian guard Bogic Vujosevic (190-1992) who added 19 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. American point guard Kenny Dye (183-2000, college: Queens, NC) responded with 17 points and 4 assists and his fellow American import forward Dame Adelekun (203-2001, college: Loyola, IL) scored 13 points and 9 rebounds. Five Steaua players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Timisoara moved-up to sixth place. Loser Steaua B. keeps the twelfth position with 11 games lost. Timisoara will meet at home higher ranked Dinamo (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Steaua will play against Targu Mures (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Steaua B.: K.Dye 17+3reb+4ast, D.Adelekun 13+9reb+2ast, J.Gray 13+1reb+1ast, S.Albert-Mark 12+1reb+2ast, B.McKissic 11+4reb+4ast, L.Diaconescu 6+2reb
Timisoara: T.Devon 22+2reb+5ast, V.Bogic 19+6reb+2ast, N.Jalen 18+7reb, B.George 8+2reb+1ast, D.Mirel 8+4reb+3ast, B.Dejan 4+7reb+1ast