Liga Endesa Round 28 (Regular Season): Barca edge Baskonia by three points

The Regular Season in Liga Endesa is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 6 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 28 in the Liga Endesa took place in Vitoria. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Baskonia (19-9) to fifth ranked FC Barcelona (19-9) 95-92 in the game for the fourth place. Barca made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Baskonia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 20 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American-Serbian Kevin Punter (193-1993, college: Tennessee) chipped in 14 points. American guard Kobi Simmons (196-1997, college: Arizona) produced 25 points and 5 assists for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Barca moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Baskonia. Barca is looking forward to face Gran Canaria (#16) in Las Palmas in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Baskonia will play at home against Rio Breogan (#11) and is hoping to win this game.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Valencia. First ranked Real Madrid faced their biggest opponent Valencia. Guests from Madrid (25-3) defeated host Valencia (20-7) 96-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Valencia. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized Cape Verdean center Walter Tavares (220-1992) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Mario Hezonja contributed with 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Dominican point guard Jean Montero (188-2003) replied with 16 points and 9 assists for Valencia. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 25-3 record. Valencia at the other side dropped to the third place with seven games lost. Real Madrid will play against league's second-placed Murcia at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Valencia will play against Manresa and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Bottom-ranked Coviran Granada managed to get the second consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they edged sixteenth-ranked MoraBanc Andorra 89-86. Worth to mention a great performance of Luka Bozic who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. At the losing side Aaron Best responded with 27 points. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Granada maintains eighteenth position with 5-23 record. Loser MoraBanc Andorra dropped to the seventeenth place with 21 games lost. Granada will meet higher ranked Bilbao (#9) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Andorra will play against Tenerife (#7) and hope to secure a win.

Rest of the games of round 28 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Bilbao defeated Zaragoza in a road game 84-82. Rio Breogan beat Joventut at home 93-86. Girona lost to Gran Canaria on the opponent's court 90-100. Manresa unfortunately lost to Burgos SP in a home game 94-101. Tenerife recorded a loss to Murcia on the road 80-86. Unicaja crushed Lleida on its own court 91-72.



Zaragoza - Bilbao 82-84

There was no surprise when 14th ranked Zaragoza (9-19) was edged at home by ninth ranked Surne Bilbao (16-13) 84-82 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of Icelandic center Tryggvi Hlinason (215-1997) who helped to win the game recording 15 points and 9 rebounds and American Darrun Hilliard (198-1993, college: Villanova) who added 21 points during the contest. At the losing side American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) responded with 15 points (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!) and American-Central African guard Isaiah Washington (185-1998, college: LBSU) scored 15 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Bilbao maintains ninth position with 16-13 record. Loser Zaragoza keeps the fourteenth place with 19 games lost. Bilbao will meet at home bottom-ranked Granada (#18) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zaragoza will play against Girona (#10) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Bilbao: H.Darrun 21+3reb+3ast, H.Tryggvi 15+9reb+3ast, J.Justin 14+1reb+1ast, F.Harald 12+3ast, B.Bassala 8+1reb, N.Margiris 4+3reb+1ast
Zaragoza: I.Washington 15+2reb+2ast, D.Robinson 15+4reb, J.Rodriguez 13+2reb+2ast, S.Yusta 11+6reb+1ast, K.Koumadje 9+5reb, J.Richardson 5+2reb

Baskonia - Barca 92-95

The most exciting game of round 28 in the Liga Endesa took place in Vitoria. This derby game ended with only three-point home defeat of one of their biggest challengers Baskonia (19-9) to fifth ranked FC Barcelona (19-9) 95-92 in the game for the fourth place. Barca made 25-of-32 free shots (78.1 percent) during the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Baskonia helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) fired 20 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American-Serbian Kevin Punter (193-1993, college: Tennessee) chipped in 14 points. Five FC Barcelona players scored in double figures. American guard Kobi Simmons (196-1997, college: Arizona) produced 25 points and 5 assists and Guinean forward Mamadi Diakite (206-1997, college: Virginia, agency: Octagon Europe) added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Barca moved-up to fourth place, which they share with defeated Baskonia. Barca is looking forward to face Gran Canaria (#16) in Las Palmas in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Baskonia will play at home against Rio Breogan (#11) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Barca: S.Tornike 20+6reb+2ast, C.Will 16+2reb, V.Jan 14+3reb+1ast, P.Kevin 14+3reb+3ast, M.Juani 11+1reb+4ast, N.Kusturica 6+3reb
Baskonia: K.Simmons 25+2reb+5ast, M.Diakite 19+7reb+1ast, R.Kurucs 15+5reb+2ast, T.Forrest 8+2ast, T.Luwawu-Cabarrot 8+2reb+1ast, J.Edwards 7+1reb

Rio Breogan - Joventut 93-86

There was a surprise result when eleventh ranked Breogan Lugo (12-16) defeated at home higher ranked Joventut (17-11) 93-86 on Sunday. Rio Breogan looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Croatian guard Dominik Mavra (195-1994) who helped to win the game recording 18 points and 6 assists and American guard Keandre Cook (194-1997, college: Missouri St.) who added 14 points during the contest. Four Breogan Lugo players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) responded with 21 points and 4 assists and American Cameron Hunt (192-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) scored 13 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Rio Breogan moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Girona. Loser Joventut keeps the sixth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Tenerife. Rio Breogan will meet higher ranked Baskonia (#5) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Joventut will play against Unicaja and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rio Breogan: M.Dominik 18+2reb+6ast, D.Bakary 14+2reb+1ast, C.Keandre 14+2reb+1ast, B.Danko 11+4reb, A.Mihailo 9+1reb+3ast, A.Francis 7+4reb+1ast
Joventut: R.Rubio 21+4reb+4ast, C.Hunt 13+3reb+4ast, J.Parker 12+3reb, G.Vives 8+1reb+1ast, D.Henri 7+5reb, A.Hanga 7+3reb

Gran Canaria - Girona 100-90

There was an upset in Las Palmas where higher ranked Basquet Girona (12-16) was defeated by seventeenth ranked Gran Canaria (8-20) 100-90 on Saturday. Gran Canaria made 32-of-37 free shots (86.5 percent) during the game, while Girona only scored fifteen points from the stripe. Worth to mention a great performance of Argentinian Nicolas Brussino (205-1993) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 rebounds and American Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) who added 25 points (made all of his thirteen free throws !!!) during the contest. At the losing side American point guard Otis Livingston II (180-1996, college: GMU) responded with 19 points and 6 assists and international Sergi Martinez (202-1999) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Four Gran Canaria and five Girona players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gran Canaria moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Burgos SP. Girona lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth position with 16 games lost. They share it with Rio Breogan. Gran Canaria will meet higher ranked Barca (#4) in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Girona will play against Zaragoza (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Gran Canaria: B.Nicolas 26+5reb+2ast, W.Isaiah 25+1reb+3ast, M.Chimezie 14+8reb+1ast, P.Pierre 12+6reb+2ast, R.Kassius 6+2reb, A.Andrew 5+2reb+6ast
Girona: O.Livingston II 19+6ast, D.Needham 14+3ast, S.Martinez 14+6reb+1ast, J.Karnik 13+3reb, M.Geben 11+4reb+1ast, C.Hildreth 10+2reb

Granada - Andorra 89-86

Bottom-ranked Coviran Granada managed to get the second consecutive victory on Sunday night. This time they edged sixteenth-ranked MoraBanc Andorra 89-86. Granada made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Granada made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Croatian Luka Bozic (200-1996) who helped to win the game recording 15 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international point guard Lluis Costa (187-1993, agency: Octagon Europe) who added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. At the losing side Canadian guard Aaron Best (193-1992, college: TMU) responded with 27 points and American-Guinean point guard Shannon Evans II (185-1994, college: Arizona St.) scored 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Granada maintains eighteenth position with 5-23 record. Loser MoraBanc Andorra dropped to the seventeenth place with 21 games lost. Granada will meet higher ranked Bilbao (#9) on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Andorra will play against Tenerife (#7) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Granada: C.Lluis 16+8reb+6ast, B.Luka 15+7reb+8ast, R.Jonathan 12+4reb+1ast, N.Mehdy-Sofian 11+3reb, O.Babatunde 8+6reb, H.William 8+6reb
Andorra: A.Best 27+1reb+2ast, S.Evans II 14+5reb+7ast, Y.Pons 12+7reb, X.Castaneda 8+2reb, S.Rice 7+6reb+5ast, R.Luz 5+3reb+1ast

Manresa - Burgos SP 94-101

There was a surprise result when seventeenth ranked Burgos (8-20) beat on the road higher ranked BAXI Manresa (11-17) 101-94 on Sunday. Worth to mention a great performance of Brazilian point guard Raul Neto (185-1992) who helped to win the game recording 26 points and 5 assists and Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) who added 25 points and 5 assists during the contest. At the losing side international forward Alejandro Reyes (202-1993) responded with 16 points and 7 rebounds and the former international point guard Ferran Bassas (181-1992) scored 13 points and 7 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Burgos SP moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Gran Canaria. Loser BAXI Manresa keeps the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Burgos SP will meet at home higher ranked Lleida (#13) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Manresa will play against Valencia having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Burgos SP: N.Raul 26+3reb+5ast, G.Corbalan 25+5ast, H.Ethan 20+3reb+3ast, M.Heidegger 9+2reb, S.Jermaine 6+8reb+2ast, N.Yannick 5+3reb
Manresa: A.Reyes 16+7reb+1ast, R.Obasohan 15, F.Bassas 13+3reb+7ast, K.Akobundu-Ehiogu 10+1ast, P.Oriola 9+6reb+3ast, D.Duke Jr. 8+3reb+1ast

Murcia - Tenerife 86-80

Not a big story in a game in Murcia where 7th ranked Tenerife (17-11) was defeated by third ranked UCAM (21-7) 86-80 on Saturday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Murcia made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of American-Slovakian point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 7 assists and American-Jamaican Devontae Cacok (201-1996, college: UNCW) who added 13 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Australian guard Patty Mills (188-1988, college: SMC) responded with 23 points and Brazilian-Italian point guard Marcelinho Huertas (191-1983) scored 14 points and 5 rebounds. Four Tenerife players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. UCAM have an impressive seven-game winning streak. Murcia moved-up to second place. Loser Tenerife dropped to the sixth position with 11 games lost. They share it with Joventut. Murcia will meet league's leader Real Madrid on the road in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Tenerife will play against Andorra (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Murcia: D.David 23+1reb+7ast, S.Howard 14+3reb+2ast, C.Devontae 13+6reb+1ast, F.Michael 10, R.Jonah 8+3reb+1ast, M.Kelan 6+4reb+1ast
Tenerife: P.Mills 23+1reb, G.Shermadini 17+3reb+1ast, M.Huertas 14+5reb+3ast, J.Fernandez 11+2reb+4ast, T.Scrubb 6+1reb+1ast, A.Doornekamp 5+4reb+1ast

Unicaja - Lleida 91-72

Everything went according to plan in Malaga where eighth ranked Unicaja (16-12) outleveled 13th ranked Lleida (10-18) 91-72 on Saturday. Unicaja looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Lleida's players. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Unicaja made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Bosnian-Finnish power forward Emir Sulejmanovic (205-1995) who helped to win the game recording 12 points and 8 rebounds and American James Webb III (205-1993, college: Boise St.) who added 17 points during the contest. Four Unicaja players scored in double figures. At the losing side the former international swingman Oriol Pauli (201-1994) responded with 28 points (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and Canadian-Nigerian forward Melvin Ejim (201-1991, college: Iowa St.) scored 13 points and 8 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Unicaja maintains eighth position with 16-12 record. Loser Lleida keeps the thirteenth place with 18 games lost. Unicaja will meet higher ranked Joventut (#6) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Lleida will play against Burgos SP (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Unicaja: W.James 17+3reb+1ast, B.Aleksander 13+4reb, T.Perez 12+5reb+1ast, S.Emir 12+8reb+1ast, C.Justin 8+1reb+2ast, D.Alberto 7+2reb+4ast
Lleida: O.Pauli 28+2reb+3ast, M.Ejim 13+8reb, C.Krutwig 9+4reb+1ast, C.Agada 6+3reb, J.Batemon 5+3reb+3ast, A.Rodriguez 4+2reb+1ast

Valencia - Real Madrid 82-96

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Valencia. First ranked Real Madrid faced their biggest opponent Valencia. Guests from Madrid (25-3) defeated host Valencia (20-7) 96-82. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Valencia. Real Madrid made 23-of-27 charity shots (85.2 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized Cape Verdean center Walter Tavares (220-1992) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Croatian forward Mario Hezonja (202-1995) contributed with 17 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Real Madrid players scored in double figures. Dominican point guard Jean Montero (188-2003) replied with 16 points and 9 assists and American Kameron Taylor (198-1994, college: Seton Hill) added 16 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Valencia. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains first position with 25-3 record. Valencia at the other side dropped to the third place with seven games lost. Real Madrid will play against league's second-placed Murcia at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Valencia will play against Manresa and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Real Madrid: T.Walter 18+12reb, H.Mario 17+7reb+3ast, L.Trey 16+2reb+3ast, F.Andres 13+4reb+1ast, C.Facundo 9+6ast, A.Alberto 8+1reb+1ast
Valencia: K.Taylor 16+6reb+1ast, J.Montero 16+4reb+9ast, S.de Larrea 10+3reb, B.Key 9+1reb+1ast, J.Puerto 6+4reb+1ast, M.Costello 5+2reb+1ast