Liga Endesa Round 33 (Regular Season): Joventut defeat Tenerife in the closest game of the week

There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in Liga Endesa. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most exciting game of round 33 in the Liga Endesa took place in Tenerife. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 8th ranked Tenerife (18-15) to sixth ranked Joventut (21-11) 100-98 on Wednesday evening. Joventut made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) stepped up and scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and American Jabari Parker (203-1995, college: Duke) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. The best for the losing side was Australian guard Patty Mills (188-1988, college: SMC) with 30 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Joventut have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 21-11 record. Tenerife lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost. Joventut are looking forward to face Girona (#12) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Tenerife will play against Bilbao (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game took place in Lleida where higher ranked Lleida (12-21) was upset on its own court by seventeenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (10-23) 116-88. Slovakian-American Kyle Kuric (193-1989, college: Louisville) nailed 28 points (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Shannon Evans II accounted for 21 points. The former international swingman Oriol Pauli (201-1994) came up with 18 points, 5 assists and 4 steals for Lleida 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. Andorra moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Gran Canaria. Lleida at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 21 games lost. Andorra will play against higher ranked Barca (#3) in Barcelona in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Lleida will play on the road against the league's second-placed Murcia (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 33: Murcia won against Zaragoza on the opponent's court 100-90. Bilbao managed to outperform Girona in a home game 86-80. Manresa managed to beat Gran Canaria on the road 87-80. Bottom-ranked Granada was defeated by Tenerife on its own court 96-109. Burgos SP was beaten by Joventut in Badalona 86-79. Unicaja won against Rio Breogan at home 101-83.



Zaragoza - Murcia 90-100

Very expected game when 16th ranked Zaragoza (9-23) was defeated at home by third ranked UCAM (24-9) 100-90. Murcia made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They shot the lights out from three nailing 17 long-distance shots on high 53.1 percentage. Murcia players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. They brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. American Kelan Martin (201-1995, college: Butler) nailed 23 points for the winning side and Cuban guard Howard Sant-Roos (201-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American forward Devin Robinson (203-1995, college: Florida) came up with 20 points and 7 rebounds and the former international Santiago Yusta (200-1997) added 15 points and 6 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) respectively for Zaragoza in the defeat. Four Zaragoza players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Murcia moved-up to second place. Zaragoza lost fifth consecutive game. They dropped to the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. Murcia will play against Lleida (#13) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Zaragoza will play against Valencia (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Murcia: M.Kelan 23+2reb+1ast, S.Howard 14+5reb+4ast, F.Michael 11+4reb+2ast, N.Toni 9+3reb+1ast, C.Devontae 8+4reb+1ast, R.Jonah 8+6reb+3ast
Zaragoza: D.Robinson 20+7reb+2ast, S.Yusta 15+6reb+1ast, T.Bell-Haynes 14+2reb+5ast, M.Spissu 11+1reb+2ast, J.Wright-Foreman 11+3ast, J.Rodriguez 9+1reb

Bilbao - Girona 86-80

Very predictable result when seventh ranked Surne Bilbao (19-15) defeated at home 12th ranked Basquet Girona (13-20) 86-80. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Girona was plagued by 28 personal fouls down the stretch. Swedish point guard Melwin Pantzar (190-2000) nailed 20 points and 5 assists for the winning side and American Darrun Hilliard (198-1993, college: Villanova) accounted for 18 points. Lithuanian center Martinas Geben (208-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 13 rebounds and Montenegrin-American point guard Derek Needham (180-1990, college: Fairfield) added 13 points and 4 assists respectively for Girona in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion maintains seventh place with 19-15 record. Girona lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with 20 games lost. Bilbao will play against Tenerife (#8) on the road in the next round. Girona will play against Joventut (#6) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bilbao: P.Melwin 20+4reb+5ast, H.Darrun 18+4reb+3ast, F.Aleix 12+1reb+2ast, J.Justin 8+1reb, N.Margiris 8+3reb+1ast, P.Luke 8+7reb
Girona: M.Geben 24+13reb+1ast, D.Needham 13+3reb+4ast, C.Hildreth 10+1reb+2ast, O.Livingston II 9+3reb+4ast, M.Susinskas 6+2reb, M.Hughes 5+1reb

Lleida - Andorra 88-116

An interesting game took place in Lleida where higher ranked Lleida (12-21) was upset on its own court by seventeenth ranked MoraBanc Andorra (10-23) 116-88. Andorra made 17-of-20 charity shots (85.0 percent) during the game. Andorra outrebounded Lleida 40-29 including 16 on the offensive glass. Slovakian-American Kyle Kuric (193-1989, college: Louisville) nailed 28 points (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) for the winning side and American-Guinean point guard Shannon Evans II (185-1994, college: Arizona St.) accounted for 21 points. The former international swingman Oriol Pauli (201-1994) came up with 18 points, 5 assists and 4 steals and Senegalese center Atoumane Diagne (215-1998) added 12 points and 8 rebounds respectively for Lleida in the defeat. Five Andorra and four 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. Andorra moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Gran Canaria. Lleida at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 21 games lost. Andorra will play against higher ranked Barca (#3) in Barcelona in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Lleida will play on the road against the league's second-placed Murcia (#2) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Andorra: K.Kyle 28+3reb, E.Shannon 21+2ast, R.Sir'Jabari 16+5reb+2ast, B.Aaron 13+2reb+1ast, L.Rafael 11+5reb+5ast, M.Justin 10+7reb+3ast
Lleida: O.Pauli 18+4reb+5ast, D.Atoumane 12+8reb, M.Ejim 11+1reb+3ast, J.Shurna 10+3reb+2ast, C.Agada 9+1reb+2ast, D.Garcia 8+1reb

Gran Canaria - Manresa 80-87

Not a big story in a game in Las Palmas where 15th ranked Gran Canaria (10-23) was defeated by eleventh ranked BAXI Manresa (15-18) 87-80. Gran Canaria was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. American guard David Duke Jr (193-1999, college: Providence) nailed 21 points (perfect from the field making all six shots) for the winning side and international forward Alejandro Reyes (202-1993) accounted for 8 points and 10 rebounds. Nigerian-American power forward Chimezie Metu (208-1997, college: USC) came up with 15 points and 5 rebounds and American Isaiah Wong (193-2001, college: Miami, FL) added 17 points respectively for Gran Canaria in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. BAXI Manresa have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Rio Breogan. Gran Canaria at the other side keeps the fifteenth position with 23 games lost. They share it with Andorra. Manresa will play against league's leader Real Madrid at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Gran Canaria will play against Valencia (#5) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Manresa: D.David 21+4reb, B.Eli 14+3reb+1ast, O.Retin 13+3reb+1ast, P.Daniel 12+4reb+3ast, R.Alejandro 8+10reb+2ast, U.Agustin 5+2reb
Gran Canaria: I.Wong 17+2reb+2ast, C.Metu 15+5reb+2ast, M.Tobey 13+5reb+1ast, N.Brussino 13+5reb+1ast, P.Pelos 8+8reb+1ast, A.Albicy 5+1reb+3ast

Granada - Tenerife 96-109

Everything went according to plan when eighth ranked Tenerife (18-15) beat on the road bottom-ranked Coviran Granada (6-27) 109-96. Tenerife made 22-of-25 charity shots (88.0 percent) during the game. American forward Tim Abromaitis (203-1989, college: Notre Dame) nailed a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side and American-Azerbaijani Wesley Van Beck (193-1996, college: Houston) accounted for 17 points and 7 rebounds. Croatian Luka Bozic (200-1996) came up with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists (went 7 for 7 at the free throw line) and French forward William Howard (203-1993) added 21 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Granada in the defeat. Five Tenerife and four Granada players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Tenerife maintains eighth place with 18-15 record. Granada lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 27 lost games. Tenerife will play against higher ranked Bilbao (#7) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Granada will play against Burgos SP (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Tenerife: M.Patty 24, A.Tim 20+10reb+1ast, V.Wesley 17+7reb+1ast, F.Bruno 14+3reb+5ast, F.Elvar 10+2reb+1ast, S.Thomas 9+3reb+1ast
Granada: W.Howard 21+8reb+1ast, L.Bozic 20+11reb+5ast, A.Alibegovic 19+1reb+1ast, L.Costa 14+2reb+6ast, J.Rousselle 9+2reb+1ast, B.Olumuyiwa 4+1reb

Joventut - Burgos SP 86-79

There was no surprise in Badalona where 14th ranked Burgos (11-22) was defeated by sixth ranked Joventut (21-11) 86-79. Burgos SP was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) nailed 10 points and 5 assists for the winning side and Swedish center Simon Birgander (209-1997) accounted for 9 points and 6 rebounds. Brazilian point guard Raul Neto (185-1992) came up with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American-Israeli point guard Max Heidegger (191-1997, college: UCSB) added 17 points respectively for Burgos SP in the defeat. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Joventut have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 21-11 record. Newly promoted Burgos SP keeps the fourteenth position with 22 games lost. Joventut will play against Girona (#12) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Burgos SP will play against Granada and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Joventut: H.Cameron 13+1ast, H.Ludvig 11+3reb, R.Ricky 10+5ast, B.Simon 9+6reb, R.Michael 8+3reb+2ast, K.Yannick 7+6reb+1ast
Burgos SP: R.Neto 19+6reb+4ast, H.Max 17+1reb+1ast, D.Diez 8+8reb, J.Shackelford 7+1reb+1ast, J.Samuels Jr. 7+5reb+1ast, J.Rubio 6+1reb+1ast

Unicaja - Rio Breogan 101-83

The game between closely ranked teams ended with ninth ranked Unicaja's (17-15) home victory over 10th ranked Breogan Lugo (15-18) 101-83. Unicaja dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Breogan Lugo's 24 and made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Unicaja outrebounded Rio Breogan 41-18 including a 28-11 advantage in defensive rebounds. Unicaja players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. American-Montenegrin point guard Kendrick Perry (183-1992, college: YSU) nailed 20 points and 5 assists for the winning side and American Tyler Kalinoski (193-1992, college: Davidson) accounted for 12 points and 5 assists. The former international Francis Alonso (191-1996, college: UNCG) came up with 18 points and Croatian guard Dominik Mavra (195-1994) added 12 points and 5 assists respectively for Rio Breogan in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Unicaja maintains ninth place with 17-15 record. Rio Breogan at the other side keeps the tenth position with 18 games lost. They share it with Manresa. Unicaja will play against higher ranked Baskonia (#4) in Vitoria in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Rio Breogan will play at home against Zaragoza (#17) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Unicaja: P.Kendrick 20+3reb+5ast, B.Aleksander 14+4reb+2ast, B.Jonathan 14+6reb, W.James 12+7reb+1ast, K.Tyler 12+4reb+5ast, R.Augustine 10+3reb
Rio Breogan: F.Alonso 18+2reb, D.Brankovic 15, D.Mavra 12+3reb+5ast, D.Russell 10+1reb+3ast, A.Aranitovic 7+3reb+1ast, J.Walker 6+1reb+1ast

Tenerife - Joventut 98-100

The most exciting game of round 33 in the Liga Endesa took place in Tenerife. This derby game ended with only two-point home defeat of 8th ranked Tenerife (18-15) to sixth ranked Joventut (21-11) 100-98 on Wednesday evening. Joventut made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Ricky Rubio (192-1990) stepped up and scored 17 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners and American Jabari Parker (203-1995, college: Duke) chipped in 18 points and 8 rebounds. Four Joventut players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was Australian guard Patty Mills (188-1988, college: SMC) with 30 points and American-Azerbaijani Wesley Van Beck (193-1996, college: Houston) scored 16 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Joventut have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain sixth place with 21-11 record. Tenerife lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost. Joventut are looking forward to face Girona (#12) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Tenerife will play against Bilbao (#7) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Joventut: P.Jabari 18+8reb, H.Cameron 17+2ast, R.Ricky 17+7reb+6ast, R.Michael 12+6reb+2ast, V.Guillem 10+1reb+1ast, H.Ludvig 6+1ast
Tenerife: P.Mills 30+1reb+3ast, W.Van Beck 16+3reb+1ast, T.Abromaitis 12+5reb+2ast, T.Scrubb 10+1reb+1ast, B.Fitipaldo 8+2reb+6ast, F.Guerra 6+8reb+2ast