Liga Endesa Round 21 (Regular Season): Real Madrid defeat Gran Canaria in the closest game of the week

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Fourteenth-ranked Gran Canaria (7-14) gave a tough game to first ranked Real Madrid (19-2) in Las Palmas on Sunday. The visitors from Madrid managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected much easier game. Argentinian point guard Facundo Campazzo (181-1991) stepped up and scored 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and American forward Chuma Okeke (202-1998, college: Auburn) chipped in 8 points. The best for the losing side was American-Slovenian center Mike Tobey (213-1994, college: Virginia) with 22 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Madrid have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-2 record. Gran Canaria at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 14 games lost. Real Madrid are looking forward to face Lleida (#12) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Gran Canaria will play against Murcia and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Valencia. Second ranked host Valencia (15-5) smashed 3rd placed UCAM (14-7) 110-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of UCAM. Dominican point guard Jean Montero (188-2003) nailed 23 points and 6 assists for the winning side and Sergio de Larrea accounted for 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. American-Slovakian point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) came up with 20 points and 4 assists for Murcia in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Valencia maintains second place with 15-5 record having five points less than leader Real Madrid. Murcia at the other side dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Unicaja. Valencia will play against Tenerife (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Murcia will play against Gran Canaria and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Andorra between MoraBanc Andorra and Zaragoza. Sixteenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (6-15) got a very close home victory over 15th ranked Zaragoza (6-14). MoraBanc Andorra managed to escape with a 2-point win 113-111 on Saturday evening. The best player for the winners was Sir'Jabari Rice who scored 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Santiago Yusta who recorded 28 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Andorra maintains sixteenth place with 6-15 record. Zaragoza lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 14 games lost. Andorra will meet higher ranked Girona (#10) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zaragoza will play against Unicaja (#5) in Malaga and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 21: Lleida lost to Baskonia on the opponent's court 90-93. Girona unfortunately lost to Unicaja in a home game 83-90. Barca rolled over Rio Breogan on the road 109-78. Joventut crushed Granada on its own court 109-73. Tenerife was beaten by Manresa in a road game 86-80. Burgos SP won against Bilbao at home 96-88.



Baskonia - Lleida 93-90

Very expected game in Vitoria where 12th ranked Lleida (8-13) was edged by fifth ranked Baskonia (14-6) 93-90 on Sunday. However just three-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Baskonia made 26-of-30 free shots (86.7 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Baskonia made 7 blocks. The best player for the winners was Canadian-Nigerian forward Eugene Omoruyi (198-1997, college: Oregon) who scored 17 points and 9 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). American point guard Trent Forrest (194-1998, college: FSU) chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Baskonia players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American guard James Batemon (185-1997, college: LMU) who recorded 20 points and 4 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and Canadian-Nigerian forward Melvin Ejim (201-1991, college: Iowa St.) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Baskonia. They moved-up to fourth place. Lleida lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Rio Breogan. Baskonia will meet Burgos SP (#17) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Lleida will play against the league's leader Real Madrid (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Baskonia: F.Trent 18+5reb+4ast, O.Eugene 17+4reb+9ast, S.Kobi 13+1ast, S.Matteo 12+3reb+1ast, D.Mamadi 11+8reb+2ast, L.Timothe 8+7reb
Lleida: J.Batemon 20+4reb+4ast, M.Ejim 18+7reb, G.Goloman 11+4reb, D.Garcia 11+2reb+5ast, D.Atoumane 8, C.Agada 7+3reb+2ast

Girona - Unicaja 83-90

Rather predictable result when sixth ranked Unicaja (14-7) defeated on the road 10th ranked Basquet Girona (10-11) 90-83 on Sunday. Unicaja made 17-of-21 free shots (81.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was American James Webb III (205-1993, college: Boise St.) who scored 18 points and 7 rebounds. His fellow American import Tyler Kalinoski (193-1992, college: Davidson) chipped in 15 points and 5 assists. Four Unicaja players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Otis Livingston II (180-1996, college: GMU) who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 assists and Lithuanian center Martinas Geben (208-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) added 9 points and 10 rebounds respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Unicaja moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Murcia. Loser Basquet Girona keeps the tenth position with 11 games lost. Unicaja will meet at home Zaragoza (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Girona will play against Andorra (#16) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Unicaja: W.James 18+7reb+3ast, D.Nihad 16+4reb+1ast, K.Tyler 15+4reb+5ast, P.Kendrick 12+2reb+5ast, R.Augustine 9+2reb, B.Aleksander 8+4reb
Girona: O.Livingston II 20+2reb+10ast, M.Susinskas 13+3reb, N.Maric 12+6reb+1ast, M.Geben 9+10reb+1ast, M.Hughes 9+4reb+1ast, J.Vildoza 7+2reb+3ast

Rio Breogan - Barca 78-109

Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Breogan Lugo (8-13) was rolled over at home by fourth ranked FC Barcelona (15-6) 109-78 on Sunday. Barca shot 66.2 percent from the field. They shot the lights out from three sinking 15 long-distance shots on high 57.7 percentage. Barca looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The best player for the winners was Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 21 points and 6 rebounds (on 10-of-11 shooting from the field). American forward Will Clyburn (201-1990, college: Iowa St.) chipped in 18 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Croatian center Danko Brankovic (217-2000) who recorded 13 points and 6 rebounds and Croatian guard Dominik Mavra (195-1994) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively. 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 which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the third consecutive win for FC Barcelona. Barca moved-up to third place. Rio Breogan lost their third game in a row. They dropped to the twelfth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Lleida. Barca will meet Joventut (#7) in the next round. Rio Breogan will play against Bilbao (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Barca: C.Myles 24+1reb, S.Tornike 21+6reb, P.Kevin 18+2ast, C.Will 18+5reb+2ast, M.Juani 7+2reb+6ast, P.Joel 6+1reb+4ast
Rio Breogan: D.Mavra 13+2reb+4ast, D.Brankovic 13+6reb+1ast, F.Alonso 13+1ast, K.Cook 10, A.Dragan 10+2reb, J.Sakho 9+4reb

Gran Canaria - Real Madrid 80-82

Fourteenth-ranked Gran Canaria (7-14) gave a tough game to first ranked Real Madrid (19-2) in Las Palmas on Sunday. The visitors from Madrid managed to secure only two-point victory 82-80. However their fans expected much easier game. Argentinian point guard Facundo Campazzo (181-1991) stepped up and scored 18 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and American forward Chuma Okeke (202-1998, college: Auburn) chipped in 8 points. The best for the losing side was American-Slovenian center Mike Tobey (213-1994, college: Virginia) with 22 points and American Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) scored 17 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Madrid have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 19-2 record. Gran Canaria at the other side keeps the fourteenth position with 14 games lost. Real Madrid are looking forward to face Lleida (#12) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Gran Canaria will play against Murcia and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Real Madrid: C.Facundo 18+5reb+3ast, L.Sergio 11+2reb+1ast, A.Alberto 10+2reb, T.Walter 9+4reb+1ast, O.Chuma 8+4reb+2ast, L.Trey 6+1reb+3ast
Gran Canaria: M.Tobey 22+3reb+2ast, I.Wong 17+3reb, P.Pelos 14+4reb+1ast, K.Robertson 6+1reb, K.Kuath 6+4reb, N.Brussino 5+4reb+7ast

Joventut - Granada 109-73

Everything went according to plan in Badalona where seventh ranked Joventut (13-8) outscored bottom-ranked Coviran Granada (1-20) 109-73 on Sunday. Joventut dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Coviran Granada's 30. Joventut forced 20 Granada turnovers and outrebounded them 42-28 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Joventut looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Granada's players. The best player for the winners was Estonian forward Henri Drell (205-2000) who scored 20 points and 4 steals. American Cameron Hunt (192-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) chipped in 15 points and 4 assists. Four Joventut players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) who recorded 11 points and 5 rebounds and the former international point guard Lluis Costa (187-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) added 12 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. The victory was the third consecutive win for Joventut. They maintain seventh place with 13-8 record. Granada lost their fifteenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 20 lost games. Joventut will meet at home higher ranked Barca (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Granada will play against Manresa (#11) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Joventut: H.Drell 20+3reb+3ast, H.Cameron 15+3reb+4ast, P.Jabari 13+4reb, R.Michael 10+7reb, R.Ricky 9+2reb+4ast, B.Simon 8+4reb+2ast
Granada: L.Costa 12+3reb+2ast, J.Perez 11+5reb+3ast, L.Bozic 9+2reb+2ast, J.Rousselle 8+5ast, J.Johnson 8+1reb+1ast, B.Olumuyiwa 7+4reb

Manresa - Tenerife 86-80

There was a minor upset when 8th ranked Tenerife (12-9) was defeated on the road by eleventh ranked BAXI Manresa (9-12) 86-80 on Saturday. Manresa made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was the former international power forward Pierre Oriola (208-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) who scored 13 points and 7 rebounds. French point guard Hugo Benitez (192-2001) chipped in 8 points and 8 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Brazilian-Italian point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983) who recorded 20 points and 8 assists and Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini (216-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) added 24 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Manresa maintains eleventh place with 9-12 record. Loser Tenerife keeps the eighth position with nine games lost. Manresa will meet bottom-ranked Granada (#18) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Tenerife 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:
Manresa: R.Alejandro 15+1ast, B.Ferran 14+2reb+1ast, O.Pierre 13+7reb+3ast, S.Marcis 9+4reb, B.Hugo 8+2reb+8ast, B.Eli 6+2reb+2ast
Tenerife: G.Shermadini 24+4reb+1ast, M.Huertas 20+2reb+8ast, R.Giedraitis 9+7reb, J.Fernandez 8+5reb+5ast, W.Van Beck 7, T.Abromaitis 4+3reb

Andorra - Zaragoza 113-111

A very close game took place in Andorra between MoraBanc Andorra and Zaragoza. Sixteenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (6-15) got a very close home victory over 15th ranked Zaragoza (6-14). MoraBanc Andorra managed to escape with a 2-point win 113-111 on Saturday evening. Andorra made 40-of-50 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. The best player for the winners was American guard Sir'Jabari Rice (193-1998, college: Texas) who scored 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Slovakian-American Kyle Kuric (193-1989, college: Louisville) chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international Santiago Yusta (200-1997) who recorded 28 points and 6 rebounds and American point guard Justin Wright-Foreman (183-1997, college: Hofstra) added 19 points respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Andorra maintains sixteenth place with 6-15 record. Zaragoza lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 14 games lost. Andorra will meet higher ranked Girona (#10) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Zaragoza will play against Unicaja (#5) in Malaga and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Andorra: R.Sir'Jabari 19+6reb+5ast, P.Yves 19+2reb, K.Kyle 16+5reb+2ast, P.Artem 15+4reb, M.Justin 13+2reb+1ast, B.Aaron 10+6reb+1ast
Zaragoza: S.Yusta 28+6reb, J.Wright-Foreman 19+2reb+2ast, B.Dubljevic 17+4reb+2ast, M.Spissu 14+1reb+3ast, D.Robinson 13+6reb+1ast, I.Washington 11+3reb+3ast

Burgos SP - Bilbao 96-88

There was a surprise result when seventeenth ranked Burgos (5-16) won against at home higher ranked Surne Bilbao (12-10) 96-88 on Saturday. Burgos SP looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) who scored 19 points and 7 assists. American forward Jermaine Samuels Jr (200-1998, college: Villanova) chipped in 17 points and 6 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Swedish point guard Melwin Pantzar (190-2000) who recorded 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and Lithuanian Margiris Normantas (194-1996) added 21 points respectively. Five Burgos SP and four Bilbao players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Newly promoted Burgos SP maintains seventeenth place with 5-16 record. Loser Surne Bilbao keeps the ninth position with ten games lost. Burgos SP will meet at home higher ranked Baskonia (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Bilbao will play against Rio Breogan (#13) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Burgos SP: G.Corbalan 19+2reb+7ast, M.Leonardo 18+5reb+2ast, S.Jermaine 17+6reb+3ast, H.Ethan 12+5reb+2ast, F.Luke 11+1reb+4ast, A.Jon 7+3reb+2ast
Bilbao: M.Normantas 21+3reb+3ast, J.Jaworski 18+2reb, M.Pantzar 15+5reb+8ast, D.Hilliard 10+4reb+1ast, T.Hlinason 9+4reb, B.Bagayoko 8+6reb+3ast

Valencia - Murcia 110-84

The game between Top Four teams took place in Valencia. Second ranked host Valencia (15-5) smashed 3rd placed UCAM (14-7) 110-84. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of UCAM. Valencia outrebounded Murcia 44-25 including a 32-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Valencia shot the lights out from three nailing 16 long-distance shots on high 53.3 percentage. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. Murcia was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Dominican point guard Jean Montero (188-2003) nailed 23 points and 6 assists for the winning side and international Sergio de Larrea (198-2005) accounted for 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Valencia players scored in double figures. American-Slovakian point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) came up with 20 points and 4 assists and American-Jamaican Devontae Cacok (201-1996, college: UNCW) added 9 points and 10 rebounds respectively for Murcia in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Valencia maintains second place with 15-5 record having five points less than leader Real Madrid. Murcia at the other side dropped to the fifth position with seven games lost. They share it with Unicaja. Valencia will play against Tenerife (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Murcia will play against Gran Canaria and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Valencia: M.Jean 23+4reb+6ast, d.Sergio 15+6reb+4ast, P.Jaime 10+4reb+3ast, B.Brancou 10+2reb+1ast, M.Omari 10+2reb+5ast, C.Matt 8+5reb+2ast
Murcia: D.DeJulius 20+2reb+4ast, D.Ennis 15+2reb+2ast, J.Radebaugh 13+1reb+2ast, D.Cacok 9+10reb, K.Martin 8+1reb, E.Cate 8+1reb