Liga Endesa Round 23 (Regular Season): Real Madrid defeat Barca in the game between Top 4 teams

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Real Madrid (21-2) which played road game in Barcelona against 4th placed FC Barcelona (15-8). First ranked Real Madrid had an easy win 95-76. Real Madrid shot 60.7 percent from the field. Real Madrid outrebounded Barca 37-21 including a 31-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Real Madrid shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 63.2 percentage. Argentinian point guard Facundo Campazzo (181-1991) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Croatian forward Mario Hezonja (202-1995) contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American forward Will Clyburn (201-1990, college: Iowa St.) answered with 14 points for Barca. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Real Madrid have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 21-2 record. Barca at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Joventut and Unicaja. Real Madrid are looking forward to face Girona (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Barca will play against Unicaja (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another interesting game for Tenerife (14-9) which played in Malaga against 5th ranked Unicaja (15-8). Eighth ranked Tenerife crushed hosts 95-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Unicaja. It was a great evening for Australian guard Patty Mills (188-1988, college: SMC) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). Jaime Fernandez helped adding 14 points and 5 rebounds. Polish center Aleksander Balcerowski (217-2000) responded with 17 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tenerife maintains eighth place with 14-9 record. Unicaja at the other side keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Joventut and Barca. Tenerife will play against Zaragoza (#14) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Unicaja will play against Barca (#6) in Barcelona and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Twelfth-ranked Lleida (8-15) used its home court advantage to challenge seventh ranked Joventut (15-8) on Sunday. The visitors from Badalona managed to secure only two-point victory 88-86. However their fans expected much easier game. It was an exceptional evening for Ricky Rubio who led the winners and scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. Melvin Ejim came up with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Lleida in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Joventut. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Barca and Unicaja. Lleida lost their sixth game in a row. They dropped to the thirteenth position with 15 games lost. Joventut will meet at home Gran Canaria (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Lleida will play against Granada and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 23: Burgos SP was beaten by Zaragoza on the road 108-98. Baskonia won against Girona on its own court 94-81. Rio Breogan managed to outperform Gran Canaria in Lugo 83-75. Manresa recorded a loss to Murcia at home 86-90. Bilbao defeated Andorra on the opponent's court 102-98. Valencia beat Granada in a home game 107-91.
The most impressive performance of 23th round was 18 points and 7 assists by Luka Bozic of Granada.



Barca - Real Madrid 76-95

An interesting game for Real Madrid (21-2) which played road game in Barcelona against 4th placed FC Barcelona (15-8). First ranked Real Madrid had an easy win 95-76. Real Madrid shot 60.7 percent from the field. Real Madrid outrebounded Barca 37-21 including a 31-15 advantage in defensive rebounds. Real Madrid shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 63.2 percentage. Argentinian point guard Facundo Campazzo (181-1991) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 5 assists (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). Croatian forward Mario Hezonja (202-1995) contributed with 13 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Five Real Madrid players scored in double figures. American forward Will Clyburn (201-1990, college: Iowa St.) answered with 14 points and Czech center Jan Vesely (210-1990) added 15 points in the effort for Barca. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Real Madrid have an impressive series of nine victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 21-2 record. Barca at the other side dropped to the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Joventut and Unicaja. Real Madrid are looking forward to face Girona (#10) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Barca will play against Unicaja (#5) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Real Madrid: C.Facundo 15+2reb+5ast, P.Gabriele 14+2reb, H.Mario 13+5reb+1ast, L.Trey 11+5reb+2ast, M.Theo 11+4reb+4ast, G.Usman 6+3reb+2ast
Barca: J.Vesely 15+2reb, W.Clyburn 14+4reb+3ast, J.Parra 11+4reb+1ast, K.Punter 9+1reb+2ast, D.Brizuela 7+2reb+1ast, W.Hernangomez 6+2reb+1ast

Zaragoza - Burgos SP 108-98

No shocking result in a game when fifteenth ranked Zaragoza (7-15) beat at home 17th ranked Burgos (6-17) 108-98 on Saturday. Zaragoza made 23-of-28 free shots (82.1 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three sinking 17 long-distance shots on high 54.8 percentage. Zaragoza looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American-Central African guard Isaiah Washington (185-1998, college: LBSU) who led the winners and scored 23 points. Montenegrin center Bojan Dubljevic (205-1991) accounted for 9 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) came up with 26 points and 6 assists and American-North Macedonian center Ethan Happ (208-1996, college: Wisconsin) added 22 points and 9 rebounds respectively for Burgos SP in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Zaragoza moved-up to fourteenth place. Newly promoted Burgos SP dropped to the sixteenth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Andorra. Zaragoza will meet higher ranked Tenerife (#8) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Burgos SP will play against the league's second-placed Valencia (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Zaragoza: W.Isaiah 23+2reb+2ast, R.Devin 15+2reb+2ast, S.DJ 13+2reb, Y.Santiago 12+1reb+2ast, G.Miguel 10+4reb+1ast, D.Bojan 9+10reb+1ast
Burgos SP: C.Gonzalo 26+4reb+6ast, E.Happ 22+9reb+2ast, D.Diez 14+4reb+2ast, J.Samuels Jr. 12, L.Meindl 6+3reb+2ast, R.Neto 5+2reb+6ast

Baskonia - Girona 94-81

Very expected game when 10th ranked Basquet Girona (11-12) lost to sixth ranked Baskonia (15-7) in Vitoria 81-94 on Sunday. Baskonia made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for French swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (198-1995) who led the winners and scored 21 points. American guard Kobi Simmons (196-1997, college: Arizona) accounted for 19 points and 4 assists for the winning side. Lithuanian center Martinas Geben (208-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) came up with 20 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and American point guard Otis Livingston II (180-1996, college: GMU) added 10 points and 8 assists respectively for Girona in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Baskonia moved-up to fourth place. Loser Basquet Girona keeps the tenth position with 12 games lost. Baskonia will meet Andorra (#16) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Girona will play against the league's leader Real Madrid (#1) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Baskonia: L.Timothe 21+2reb+2ast, S.Kobi 19+1reb+4ast, S.Matteo 12+7reb+4ast, O.Eugene 12+4reb+3ast, F.Trent 8+3reb+3ast, V.Rafa 6
Girona: M.Geben 20+4reb+1ast, J.Busquets 13+3reb, D.Needham 10+5reb+2ast, O.Livingston II 10+3reb+8ast, M.Susinskas 7+1ast, G.Ferrando 6+1reb+4ast

Lleida - Joventut 86-88

Twelfth-ranked Lleida (8-15) used its home court advantage to challenge seventh ranked Joventut (15-8) on Sunday. The visitors from Badalona managed to secure only two-point victory 88-86. However their fans expected much easier game. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. American Cameron Hunt (192-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) accounted for 18 points for the winning side. Canadian-Nigerian forward Melvin Ejim (201-1991, college: Iowa St.) came up with 17 points and 7 rebounds and Hungarian power forward Gyorgy Goloman (210-1996, college: UCLA) added 13 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Lleida in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Joventut. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Barca and Unicaja. Lleida lost their sixth game in a row. They dropped to the thirteenth position with 15 games lost. Joventut will meet at home Gran Canaria (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Lleida will play against Granada and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Joventut: H.Cameron 18+1reb+2ast, R.Ricky 16+6reb+3ast, H.Adam 12+2reb+1ast, K.Yannick 11+2reb+1ast, B.Simon 11+6reb+3ast, P.Jabari 9+7reb+3ast
Lleida: M.Ejim 17+7reb+3ast, J.Batemon 14+1reb+4ast, G.Goloman 13+5reb+2ast, M.Sanz 12+3reb+2ast, J.Shurna 8+4reb, C.Agada 6+3reb+2ast

Gran Canaria - Rio Breogan 75-83

Rather predictable result when thirteenth ranked Breogan Lugo (9-14) won against 15th ranked Gran Canaria (7-16) in Las Palmas 83-75 on Sunday. Rio Breogan outrebounded Gran Canaria 42-28 including 27 on the defensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Croatian center Danko Brankovic (217-2000) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Serbian Aleksandar Aranitovic (195-1998) accounted for 7 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Canadian guard Kassius Robertson (190-1994, college: Missouri, agency: Octagon Europe) came up with 15 points and 4 assists and French point guard Andrew Albicy (178-1990) added 14 points respectively for Gran Canaria in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Rio Breogan moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Manresa. Gran Canaria lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifteenth position with 16 games lost. Rio Breogan will meet at home Manresa (#11) in the next round. Gran Canaria will play against Joventut (#7) in Badalona and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Rio Breogan: B.Danko 15+13reb+1ast, A.Mihailo 14+2ast, M.Dominik 11+2reb+4ast, R.DeWayne 11+1reb+1ast, S.Jordan 8+7reb+2ast, A.Aleksandar 7+11reb
Gran Canaria: K.Robertson 15+1reb+4ast, A.Albicy 14+1reb+2ast, K.Kuath 11+5reb, I.Wong 9+4reb+1ast, C.Metu 8+2reb, Z.Samar 7+1reb

Manresa - Murcia 86-90

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked BAXI Manresa (9-14) lost at home to fourth ranked UCAM (16-7) 90-86 on Saturday. Murcia made 26-of-32 free shots (81.3 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American-Slovakian point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) who led the winners and scored 35 points (!!!) and 4 assists. American-Montenegrin Jonah Radebaugh (191-1997, college: N.Colorado, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 20 points for the winning side. International forward Alejandro Reyes (202-1993) came up with 19 points and Uruguayan guard Agustin Ubal (198-2003) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Manresa in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Murcia moved-up to third place. Loser BAXI Manresa keeps the eleventh position with 14 games lost. They share it with Rio Breogan. Murcia will meet at home Bilbao (#9) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Manresa will play against Rio Breogan in Lugo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Murcia: D.David 35+4ast, R.Jonah 20+3reb+2ast, F.Michael 13+2ast, S.Howard 5+7reb+1ast, C.Devontae 4+4reb, C.Emanuel 4+3reb+1ast
Manresa: A.Reyes 19+4reb, A.Ubal 14+7reb+1ast, R.Obasohan 11+2reb+3ast, H.Benitez 7+1ast, E.Brooks 7+3reb+2ast, M.Steinbergs 7+3reb

Andorra - Bilbao 98-102

Everything went according to plan when ninth ranked Surne Bilbao (14-10) defeated on the road 16th ranked MoraBanc Andorra (6-17) 102-98 on Saturday. Bilbao looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Justin Jaworski (190-1999, college: Lafayette) who led the winners and scored 36 points (!!!). His fellow American import Darrun Hilliard (198-1993, college: Villanova) accounted for 18 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for the winning side. American guard Sir'Jabari Rice (193-1998, college: Texas) came up with 23 points and 7 assists and Ukrainian center Artem Pustovyi (219-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) added 19 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Andorra in the defeat. Four Bilbao and five Andorra players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Bilbao maintains ninth place with 14-10 record. Loser MoraBanc Andorra keeps the sixteenth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Burgos SP. Bilbao will meet higher ranked Murcia (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Andorra will play against Baskonia (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bilbao: J.Justin 36+1ast, H.Darrun 18+11reb+7ast, P.Melwin 17+4reb+5ast, H.Tryggvi 10+4reb+2ast, P.Luke 10+1reb, B.Bassala 4+8reb
Andorra: S.Rice 23+3reb+7ast, A.Best 21+2reb+1ast, A.Pustovyi 19+8reb, J.McKoy 11+7reb+3ast, Y.Pons 10+3reb, R.Guerrero 4

Unicaja - Tenerife 70-95

Another interesting game for Tenerife (14-9) which played in Malaga against 5th ranked Unicaja (15-8). Eighth ranked Tenerife crushed hosts 95-70. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Unicaja. Tenerife had a 27-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for Australian guard Patty Mills (188-1988, college: SMC) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). International point guard Jaime Fernandez (186-1993) helped adding 14 points and 5 rebounds. Polish center Aleksander Balcerowski (217-2000) responded with 17 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and Bosnian-Finnish power forward Emir Sulejmanovic (205-1995) scored 8 points and 7 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. Tenerife maintains eighth place with 14-9 record. Unicaja at the other side keeps the fifth position with eight games lost. They share it with Joventut and Barca. Tenerife will play against Zaragoza (#14) at home in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Unicaja will play against Barca (#6) in Barcelona and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Tenerife: M.Patty 24+2ast, F.Jaime 14+5reb+2ast, H.Marcelinho 13+3reb+3ast, S.Thomas 9+2reb, G.Rokas 8+6reb+1ast, D.Aaron 7+6reb+1ast
Unicaja: A.Balcerowski 17+3reb, N.Djedovic 12+3reb, E.Sulejmanovic 8+7reb+2ast, K.Perry 7+1reb+4ast, C.Audige 5+4ast, A.Diaz 5+3ast

Valencia - Granada 107-91

There was no surprise when 18th ranked Coviran Granada (2-21) lost on the road to third ranked Valencia (16-6) 107-91 on Sunday. Valencia made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. Valencia outrebounded Granada 44-23 including a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for international Sergio de Larrea (198-2005) who led the winners and scored 17 points and 5 rebounds. Senegalese guard Brancou Badio (191-1999) accounted for 16 points for the winning side. Croatian Luka Bozic (200-1996) came up with 18 points and 7 assists and Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) added 14 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Granada in the defeat. Five Valencia and four Granada players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Valencia moved-up to second place. Loser Coviran Granada stay dead last with 21 lost games. Valencia will meet Burgos SP (#17) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Granada will play against Lleida and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Valencia: d.Sergio 17+5reb+2ast, P.Jaime 17+5reb+1ast, B.Brancou 16+4reb+3ast, P.Josep 15+5reb, M.Omari 12+2reb+4ast, C.Matt 9+4reb+1ast
Granada: L.Bozic 18+3reb+7ast, A.Alibegovic 15+1reb+2ast, J.Perez 14+7reb+3ast, B.Olumuyiwa 10+3reb, J.Kljajic 9+1reb, A.Brimah 7+2reb