Liga Endesa Round 31 (Regular Season): Real Madrid lose to Bilbao

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 3 rounds. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked Real Madrid (26-5) recorded its fifth loss on the court of eighth ranked Surne Bilbao on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Surne Bilbao 88-82. They made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Bilbao outrebounded Real Madrid 35-23 including 26 on the defensive glass. Bilbao looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Darrun Hilliard (198-1993, college: Villanova) fired 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Icelandic center Tryggvi Hlinason (215-1997) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Canadian power forward Trey Lyles (206-1995, college: Kentucky) produced 19 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) for lost side. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion (18-14) moved-up to seventh place. Defending champion Real Madrid still keeps top position with five games lost. Bilbao are looking forward to face higher ranked Valencia (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Real Madrid will play against Joventut (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked UCAM (22-9) against fourth ranked Baskonia (22-9) on Thursday night. Visiting UCAM was defeated by Baskonia in a tough game in Vitoria 80-87. Worth to mention a great performance of French swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (198-1995) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 5 rebounds. Kobi Simmons contributed with 21 points for the winners. American-Slovakian point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) answered with 34 points (!!!) for Murcia. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Baskonia have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Barca and Murcia. Baskonia will play against bottom-ranked Granada (#18) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Murcia will play against Unicaja (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Eighteenth-ranked Coviran Granada (6-25) made lots of trouble for third ranked FC Barcelona (22-9) on Wednesday. The visitors from Barcelona managed to secure only three-point victory 101-98. However their fans expected much easier game. It was a great evening for Willy Hernangomez who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side Luka Bozic responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. FC Barcelona have a solid series of four victories in a row. Barca moved-up to second place, which they share with Baskonia and Murcia. Granada at the other side stay dead last with 25 lost games. Barca will meet Tenerife (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Granada will play against Baskonia (#4) in Vitoria and hope to secure a win.

Other games of round 31 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Manresa defeated Girona in a road game 79-74. Rio Breogan smashed Lleida at home 114-87. Tenerife was destroyed by Gran Canaria on the opponent's court 102-83. Joventut outscored Andorra in a home game 101-79. Unicaja recorded a loss to Burgos SP on the road 97-90.
The best stats of 31th round was 20 points and 7 assists by Raul Neto of Burgos SP.



Baskonia - Murcia 87-80

Very important is a road loss of second ranked UCAM (22-9) against fourth ranked Baskonia (22-9) on Thursday night. Visiting UCAM was defeated by Baskonia in a tough game in Vitoria 80-87. Murcia was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of French swingman Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (198-1995) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Kobi Simmons (196-1997, college: Arizona) contributed with 21 points for the winners. Four Baskonia players scored in double figures. American-Slovakian point guard David DeJulius (183-1999, college: Cincinnati) answered with 34 points (!!!) and Romanian center Emanuel Cate (207-1997) added 14 points and 5 rebounds in the effort for Murcia. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Baskonia have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Barca and Murcia. Baskonia will play against bottom-ranked Granada (#18) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Murcia will play against Unicaja (#9) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Baskonia: L.Timothe 25+5reb+2ast, S.Kobi 21+4reb+1ast, F.Trent 14+6reb+4ast, O.Eugene 10+4reb+1ast, E.Jesse 7+5reb, D.Mamadi 3+7reb+1ast
Murcia: D.DeJulius 34+4reb+1ast, E.Cate 14+5reb, D.Cacok 8+6reb+2ast, J.Radebaugh 7+5reb+2ast, M.Forrest 6+2reb+1ast, H.Sant-Roos 5+4reb+2ast

Girona - Manresa 74-79

There was a minor upset when 10th ranked Basquet Girona (13-18) was defeated at home by twelfth ranked BAXI Manresa (13-18) 79-74 on Tuesday. Manresa made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Ferran Bassas (181-1992) who led his team to a victory scoring 21 points and 4 assists. American guard David Duke Jr (193-1999, college: Providence) helped adding 12 points and 6 assists. Four BAXI Manresa players scored in double figures. At the losing side American point guard Otis Livingston II (180-1996, college: GMU) responded with 15 points and Lithuanian center Martinas Geben (208-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) scored 7 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Manresa moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Girona. Manresa will meet at home Zaragoza (#16) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Girona will play against Rio Breogan (#10) in Lugo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Manresa: B.Ferran 21+1reb+4ast, U.Agustin 15+7reb, D.David 12+4reb+6ast, O.Pierre 11+8reb+1ast, O.Retin 8+3reb, R.Alejandro 6+3reb
Girona: O.Livingston II 15+3ast, C.Hildreth 11+1ast, M.Hughes 11+3reb+1ast, D.Needham 8+4reb, M.Susinskas 8+4reb, M.Geben 7+10reb

Bilbao - Real Madrid 88-82

Top ranked Real Madrid (26-5) recorded its fifth loss on the court of eighth ranked Surne Bilbao on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by Surne Bilbao 88-82. They made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Bilbao outrebounded Real Madrid 35-23 including 26 on the defensive glass. Bilbao looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. American Darrun Hilliard (198-1993, college: Villanova) fired 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. Icelandic center Tryggvi Hlinason (215-1997) chipped in 22 points and 7 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field). Canadian power forward Trey Lyles (206-1995, college: Kentucky) produced 19 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws) and French guard Theo Maledon (192-2001) added 13 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion (18-14) moved-up to seventh place. Defending champion Real Madrid still keeps top position with five games lost. Bilbao are looking forward to face higher ranked Valencia (#5) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Real Madrid will play against Joventut (#6) and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Bilbao: H.Tryggvi 22+7reb+1ast, H.Darrun 21+5reb+6ast, K.Martin 15+6reb+1ast, P.Melwin 11+4reb+4ast, J.Justin 9+4ast, P.Luke 5+5reb+3ast
Real Madrid: T.Lyles 19+8reb+2ast, T.Maledon 13+5ast, G.Deck 12+3reb, F.Campazzo 10+7ast, A.Abalde 8+2ast, I.Almansa 6+2reb

Rio Breogan - Lleida 114-87

No shocking result in a game when tenth ranked Breogan Lugo (14-17) smashed at home 13th ranked Lleida (11-20) 114-87 on Wednesday. Rio Breogan made 19-of-22 free shots (86.4 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. It was a great evening for Serbian power forward Dragan Apic (206-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 15 points and 6 rebounds. The former international Francis Alonso (191-1996, college: UNCG) helped adding 20 points. At the losing side American center Cameron Krutwig (206-1998, college: Loyola, IL) responded with 16 points and 4 assists (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and Millan Jimenez (199-2002) scored 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Five Lleida 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. Rio Breogan maintains tenth place with 14-17 record. Lleida at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 20 games lost. Rio Breogan will meet at home Girona (#12) in the next round. Lleida will play against Gran Canaria and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Rio Breogan: A.Francis 20+2reb, C.Keandre 16+2reb+2ast, D.Apic 15+6reb+1ast, K.Arturs 14+3reb, B.Danko 10+5reb+1ast, A.Mihailo 10+2reb+2ast
Lleida: C.Krutwig 16+4reb+4ast, O.Pauli 12+2reb+4ast, M.Sanz 12+1reb+1ast, J.Millan 11+5reb+5ast, D.Atoumane 10+4reb+2ast, M.Ejim 7+4reb

Gran Canaria - Tenerife 102-83

There was an upset in Las Palmas where higher ranked Tenerife (17-13) was rolled over by seventeenth ranked Gran Canaria (10-21) 102-83 on Thursday. Gran Canaria made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) who led his team to a victory scoring 25 points. Argentinian Nicolas Brussino (205-1993) helped adding 14 points and 5 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field). At the losing side American forward Tim Abromaitis (203-1989, college: Notre Dame) responded with 14 points and 7 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and Georgian center Giorgi Shermadini (216-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 15 points and 5 rebounds. Four Gran Canaria and five Tenerife players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Gran Canaria moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Burgos SP. Tenerife lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with 13 games lost. Gran Canaria will meet higher ranked Lleida (#13) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tenerife will play against the league's second-placed Barca (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Gran Canaria: W.Isaiah 25+2reb+3ast, M.Chimezie 15+1reb, B.Nicolas 14+5reb+3ast, J.Brandon 13+2reb+3ast, R.Kassius 10+1ast, T.Mike 8+3reb
Tenerife: G.Shermadini 15+5reb+1ast, P.Mills 15+3ast, T.Abromaitis 14+7reb, F.Guerra 11+2reb+1ast, J.Fernandez 11+4reb+5ast, B.Fitipaldo 5+1reb+4ast

Granada - Barca 98-101

Eighteenth-ranked Coviran Granada (6-25) made lots of trouble for third ranked FC Barcelona (22-9) on Wednesday. The visitors from Barcelona managed to secure only three-point victory 101-98. However their fans expected much easier game. Barca dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Coviran Granada's 38. It was a great evening for the former international center Willy Hernangomez (210-1994) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 5 rebounds. American-Serbian Kevin Punter (193-1993, college: Tennessee) helped adding 19 points. At the losing side Croatian Luka Bozic (200-1996) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists and Dominican swingman Jassel Perez (195-2001) scored 26 points. Four Barca and five Granada players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. FC Barcelona have a solid series of four victories in a row. Barca moved-up to second place, which they share with Baskonia and Murcia. Granada at the other side stay dead last with 25 lost games. Barca will meet Tenerife (#8) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Granada will play against Baskonia (#4) in Vitoria and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Barca: P.Kevin 19+3reb+1ast, H.Willy 18+5reb+2ast, M.Juani 16+3ast, S.Tornike 10+5reb+1ast, C.Myles 10, B.Dario 9+2ast
Granada: J.Perez 26+4reb+3ast, L.Bozic 20+10reb+5ast, E.Valtonen 13, A.Alibegovic 11+1reb+1ast, J.Rousselle 10+2reb+3ast, L.Costa 7+1reb+3ast

Joventut - Andorra 101-79

Very predictable result in Badalona where sixth ranked Joventut (18-11) outscored 16th ranked MoraBanc Andorra (9-22) 101-79 on Thursday. Joventut outrebounded Andorra 40-29 including 26 on the defensive glass. Joventut looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points and 7 assists. American Cameron Hunt (192-1997, college: Southwestern, KS) helped adding 14 points and 4 assists. Five Joventut players scored in double figures. At the losing side American-Guinean point guard Shannon Evans II (185-1994, college: Arizona St.) responded with 11 points and 7 assists and Ukrainian center Artem Pustovyi (219-1992, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 14 points (on 7-of-9 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. Joventut maintains sixth place with 18-11 record. Loser MoraBanc Andorra dropped to the seventeenth position with 22 games lost. Joventut will meet league's leader Real Madrid on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Andorra will play against Burgos SP (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Joventut: R.Ricky 23+4reb+7ast, H.Cameron 14+4reb+4ast, P.Jabari 13+2reb, K.Yannick 11+7reb+3ast, R.Michael 10+5reb+1ast, H.Ludvig 10+5reb+5ast
Andorra: A.Pustovyi 14+4reb+2ast, S.Evans II 11+3reb+7ast, K.Kuric 11+2reb, Y.Pons 9+3reb, S.Rice 9+1reb+3ast, K.Kostadinov 8+3reb+1ast

Burgos SP - Unicaja 97-90

There was an upset when higher ranked Unicaja (16-14) was defeated on the road by fifteenth ranked Burgos (10-21) 97-90 on Thursday. Burgos SP dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Unicaja's 32. Burgos SP looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was a great evening for Brazilian point guard Raul Neto (185-1992) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 7 assists. Argentinian swingman Gonzalo Corbalan (193-2002, college: LCU) helped adding 23 points. Four Burgos players scored in double figures. At the losing side American James Webb III (205-1993, college: Boise St.) responded with 25 points and American-Jamaican guard Chase Audige (193-1999, college: Northwestern, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 17 points and 4 assists. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Burgos SP moved-up to fourteenth place, which they share with Gran Canaria. Loser Unicaja keeps the ninth position with 14 games lost. Burgos SP will meet Andorra (#17) on the road in the next round. Unicaja will play against Murcia (#3) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Burgos SP: G.Corbalan 23+2reb+3ast, N.Raul 20+1reb+7ast, H.Ethan 13+6reb+4ast, M.Leonardo 13+6reb+3ast, F.Luke 8+1reb, M.Heidegger 7+1ast
Unicaja: J.Webb III 25+1reb, K.Perry 19+1reb+4ast, C.Audige 17+4reb+4ast, J.Cobbs 7+1reb+1ast, J.Barreiro 7+5reb, A.Balcerowski 5+2reb