Liga Endesa Round 18 (Regular Season): Murcia defeat Barca in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 18 in the Liga Endesa took place in Murcia. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers FC Barcelona (12-6) to sixth ranked UCAM (12-6) 84-83 in the game for the third place. American-Jamaican Devontae Cacok (201-1996, college: UNCW) scored 23 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) chipped in 19 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Argentinian guard Nicolas Laprovittola (190-1990) with 15 points and 9 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Murcia moved-up to third place, which they share with Barca and Unicaja. Murcia is looking forward to face Rio Breogan (#12) in Lugo in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Barca will play at home against Girona (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Baskonia (#4) was upset in Tenerife by seventh ranked Tenerife 89-85. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Baskonia. Brazilian-Italian point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983) notched 23 points and 6 assists to lead the effort and Giorgi Shermadini supported him with 14 points. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) by Italian point guard Matteo Spagnolo (193-2003) did not help to save the game for Baskonia. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tenerife maintains seventh position with 11-7 record. Baskonia at the other side dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. Tenerife will play against Burgos SP (#17) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Baskonia will play against Zaragoza (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Liga Endesa top team - Real Madrid (16-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed fourteenth ranked Zaragoza (6-11) 99-78. The best player for the winners was Gabriele Procida who scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Devin Robinson who recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Real Madrid have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 16-2 record. Zaragoza lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Gran Canaria. Real Madrid will meet at home bottom-ranked Granada (#18) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Zaragoza will play against Baskonia (#6) in Vitoria and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 18: Burgos SP lost to Girona on the opponent's court 71-77. Bilbao managed to outperform Joventut in a home game 80-76. Rio Breogan rolled over Granada on the road 83-64. Manresa was defeated by Unicaja on its own court 92-98. Gran Canaria was beaten by Andorra in a road game 94-78. Valencia destroyed Lleida at home 101-65.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 16 points by Jean Montero of Valencia.



Girona - Burgos SP 77-71

Very expected game when 17th ranked Burgos (3-15) was defeated on the road by tenth ranked Basquet Girona (9-9) 77-71 on Saturday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Girona had a 33-22 advantage in offensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was American point guard Otis Livingston II (180-1996, college: GMU) who scored 19 points and 4 assists. Lithuanian center Martinas Geben (208-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) chipped in 7 points and 10 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Jermaine Samuels Jr (200-1998, college: Villanova) who recorded 9 points and 10 rebounds and Brazilian point guard Raul Neto (185-1992) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Basquet Girona have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain tenth position with 9-9 record. Burgos SP lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keeps the seventeenth place with 15 games lost. Girona will meet higher ranked Barca (#3) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Burgos SP will play against Tenerife (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Girona: L.Otis 19+2reb+4ast, M.Sergi 11+5reb, N.Derek 10+3reb+3ast, S.Mindaugas 7+3reb, M.Nikola 7+5reb+1ast, G.Martinas 7+10reb+2ast
Burgos SP: R.Neto 15+4ast, J.Samuels Jr. 9+10reb+3ast, C.Gonzalo 8+4reb+4ast, J.Jackson 7+4reb+2ast, J.Axel Gudmundsson 6+2reb, L.Fischer 6+2reb

Bilbao - Joventut 80-76

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Surne Bilbao (10-8) defeated at home 7th ranked Joventut (10-8) 80-76 on Saturday. Bilbao made 19-of-20 free shots (95.0 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American Darrun Hilliard (198-1993, college: Villanova) who scored 15 points. Norwegian point guard Harald Frey (188-1997, college: Montana St.) chipped in 14 points. At the other side the best for losing team was American Cameron Hunt (192-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) who recorded 14 points and the former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) added 8 points and 7 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Surne Bilbao have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to eighth place, which they share with defeated Joventut. Joventut lost third consecutive game. Bilbao will meet Gran Canaria (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Joventut will play against the league's second-placed Valencia (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Bilbao: H.Darrun 15+3reb+2ast, F.Harald 14+3reb+1ast, K.Martin 11+2reb, P.Melwin 9+1reb+2ast, F.Aleix 8+1ast, H.Tryggvi 6+9reb+2ast
Joventut: C.Hunt 14+3reb+3ast, D.Henri 10+4reb, A.Tomic 10+1reb+1ast, L.Hakanson 9+1reb+1ast, R.Rubio 8+2reb+7ast, Y.Kraag 8+7reb+2ast

Granada - Rio Breogan 64-83

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Coviran Granada (1-17) was rolled over at home by thirteenth ranked Breogan Lugo (8-10) 83-64 on Saturday. Rio Breogan forced 19 Granada turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was Croatian center Danko Brankovic (217-2000) who scored 15 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American point guard DeWayne Russell (180-1994, college: GCU) chipped in 14 points. Four Breogan Lugo players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) who recorded 17 points and 6 rebounds and French point guard Mehdy-Sofian Ngouama (188-1995, college: Alabama St., agency: Network Sports International) added 13 points respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Rio Breogan moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Lleida. Granada lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 17 lost games. Rio Breogan will meet at home higher ranked Murcia (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Granada will play against the league's leader Real Madrid (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Rio Breogan: B.Danko 15+6reb, R.DeWayne 14+3reb+1ast, A.Francis 13+2ast, A.Mihailo 11+2reb+2ast, C.Keandre 10+2reb+3ast, A.Aleksandar 9+7reb+2ast
Granada: J.Perez 17+6reb+2ast, M.Ngouama 13+4reb+3ast, B.Olumuyiwa 7+3reb, A.Brimah 7+3reb, L.Bozic 4+5reb+2ast, J.Rousselle 4+3reb+3ast

Manresa - Unicaja 92-98

Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Unicaja (12-6) beat on the road 13th ranked BAXI Manresa (7-11) 98-92 on Sunday. Unicaja made 24-of-28 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American-Montenegrin point guard Kendrick Perry (183-1992, college: YSU) who scored 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. Polish center Aleksander Balcerowski (217-2000) chipped in 17 points. At the other side the best for losing team was Belgian-Nigerian guard Retin Obasohan (191-1993, college: Alabama) who recorded 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international point guard Ferran Bassas (181-1992) added 13 points and 6 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Unicaja have a solid four-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Barca and Murcia. Loser BAXI Manresa keeps the thirteenth position with 11 games lost. Unicaja will meet at home Andorra (#16) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Manresa will play against Lleida and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Unicaja: B.Aleksander 17+1reb+2ast, D.Chris 17+3ast, P.Kendrick 17+5reb+8ast, K.Tyler 11+2reb+2ast, W.James 11+4reb+1ast, D.Nihad 9+2reb
Manresa: A.Reyes 17+3reb, R.Obasohan 16+6reb+4ast, L.Olinde 14+4reb, F.Bassas 13+3reb+6ast, P.Oriola 10+4reb+1ast, K.Akobundu-Ehiogu 6+3reb+1ast

Andorra - Gran Canaria 94-78

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams when 15th ranked Gran Canaria (6-11) was defeated on the road by sixteenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (5-13) 94-78 on Saturday. Andorra made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American-Guinean point guard Shannon Evans II (185-1994, college: Arizona St.) who scored 16 points and 7 assists. Ukrainian center Artem Pustovyi (219-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 15 points and 6 rebounds. Four MoraBanc Andorra players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) who recorded 18 points (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and the former international point guard Carlos Alocen (194-2000) added 9 points and 5 assists respectively. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Andorra maintains sixteenth position with 5-13 record. Gran Canaria lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Zaragoza. Andorra will meet higher ranked Unicaja (#5) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Gran Canaria will play against Bilbao (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Andorra: E.Shannon 16+3reb+7ast, P.Artem 15+6reb+1ast, B.Aaron 14+4ast, U.Morris 12+1reb+1ast, L.Rafael 10+3reb+3ast, O.Stan 9+7reb
Gran Canaria: I.Wong 18+4reb, N.Brussino 9+2reb+3ast, C.Alocen 9+4reb+5ast, M.Tobey 9+1reb, L.Labeyrie 8+5reb, M.Salvo 8+1reb

Murcia - Barca 84-83

The most exciting game of round 18 in the Liga Endesa took place in Murcia. This derby game ended with only one-point defeat on the road of one of their biggest challengers FC Barcelona (12-6) to sixth ranked UCAM (12-6) 84-83 in the game for the third place. American-Jamaican Devontae Cacok (201-1996, college: UNCW) scored 23 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) chipped in 19 points during the contest. The best for the losing side was Argentinian guard Nicolas Laprovittola (190-1990) with 15 points and 9 assists and Czech center Jan Vesely (210-1990) scored 13 points. Four Barca players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Murcia moved-up to third place, which they share with Barca and Unicaja. Murcia is looking forward to face Rio Breogan (#12) in Lugo in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Barca will play at home against Girona (#10) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Murcia: C.Devontae 23+5reb, D.David 19+1reb+3ast, N.Toni 10+5reb+1ast, E.Dylan 8+4reb+9ast, R.Jonah 8+2reb+1ast, M.Kelan 6+3reb
Barca: N.Laprovittola 15+3reb+9ast, J.Vesely 13+2reb+2ast, Y.Fall 11+4reb, W.Clyburn 10+3reb+1ast, K.Punter 9+2reb+1ast, T.Satoransky 8+2reb+4ast

Real Madrid - Zaragoza 99-78

Liga Endesa top team - Real Madrid (16-2) had no problems winning another game on Sunday. This time they crushed fourteenth ranked Zaragoza (6-11) 99-78. Real Madrid made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was Italian Gabriele Procida (198-2002) who scored 18 points and 5 rebounds. Ukrainian center Alex Len (213-1993, college: Maryland) chipped in 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks. At the other side the best for losing team was American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) who recorded 19 points and 9 rebounds and Chadian center Khalifa Koumadje (223-1996, college: FSU) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both teams had four players each who 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. Real Madrid have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 16-2 record. Zaragoza lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth place with 11 games lost. They share the position with Gran Canaria. Real Madrid will meet at home bottom-ranked Granada (#18) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Zaragoza will play against Baskonia (#6) in Vitoria and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Real Madrid: P.Gabriele 18+5reb+1ast, L.Alex 15+7reb+1ast, L.Sergio 15+1reb+3ast, O.Chuma 10+4reb+1ast, K.David 10+1reb, C.Facundo 9+6ast
Zaragoza: D.Robinson 19+9reb, K.Koumadje 12+7reb, S.Yusta 10+1reb+1ast, M.Gonzalez 10+8reb, Y.Traore 9+2reb, J.Rodriguez 6+1reb+3ast

Tenerife - Baskonia 89-85

Baskonia (#4) was upset in Tenerife by seventh ranked Tenerife 89-85. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Baskonia. Tenerife made 23-of-28 charity shots (82.1 percent) during the game. Baskonia was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Brazilian-Italian point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983) notched 23 points and 6 assists to lead the effort and Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini (216-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) supported him with 14 points. Even 21 points and 5 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) by Italian point guard Matteo Spagnolo (193-2003) did not help to save the game for Baskonia. Latvian forward Rodions Kurucs (203-1998) added 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Tenerife maintains seventh position with 11-7 record. Baskonia at the other side dropped to the sixth place with six games lost. Tenerife will play against Burgos SP (#17) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Baskonia will play against Zaragoza (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tenerife: H.Marcelinho 23+2reb+6ast, S.Giorgi 14+3reb, F.Bruno 10+2reb+3ast, F.Jaime 10+4reb+2ast, V.Wesley 9, D.Aaron 6
Baskonia: M.Spagnolo 21+5reb+2ast, M.Howard 16+1reb, T.Luwawu-Cabarrot 16+3reb+2ast, R.Kurucs 10+9reb+5ast, M.Diakite 6+4reb, K.Simmons 5+1reb+1ast

Valencia - Lleida 101-65

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Valencia (13-4) outleveled at home 11th ranked Lleida (8-10) 101-65 on Sunday. The best player for the winners was the former international swingman Josep Puerto (199-1999) who scored 19 points. International Sergio de Larrea (198-2005) chipped in 13 points and 6 assists. Four Valencia players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Nigerian-Canadian point guard Caleb Agada (196-1994, college: Ottawa, agency: Blacktop Management) who recorded 10 points and 5 rebounds and Millan Jimenez (199-2002) added 13 points respectively. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Valencia maintains second position with 13-4 record having four points less than leader Real Madrid. Loser Lleida keeps the eleventh place with ten games lost. They share the position with Rio Breogan. Valencia will meet Joventut (#8) in the next round where they are favorite. Lleida will play against Manresa and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Valencia: P.Josep 19+2reb, M.Jean 16+3ast, d.Sergio 13+2reb+6ast, P.Jaime 11+4reb+1ast, B.Brancou 9, L.Xabier 9+2reb+1ast
Lleida: J.Millan 13+4reb, C.Agada 10+5reb+3ast, M.Sanz 10+3reb, C.Walden 9+1reb+1ast, O.Pauli 6+3reb+3ast, J.Batemon 6+2reb+3ast