Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings

After 4 rounds played we can already see who rules in the ABA League and who belongs to weaker ones. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most surprising game was the first loss of Partizan (3-1) in Beograd on Monday night. Visitors were edged by ninth ranked Mega BG (2-2) 88-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Partizan. Mega BG made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. 25 personal fouls committed by Partizan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Nikola Topic (198-2005) who helped to win the game recording 14 points and 8 assists and forward Uros Plavsic (213-1998, college: Tennessee) who added 15 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side guard Aleksa Avramovic (192-1994) responded with 26 points (made all of his seven free throws). Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Mega BG moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Partizan at the other side keeps the third position with one game lost. They share it with Igokea and SC Derby. Mega BG is looking forward to face league’s leader Buducnost in Podgorica in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Partizan’s supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Beograd Crvena Zvezda.
One of the most interesting games of round 4 was a derby match between two teams from Montenegro. The game took place in Podgorica where sixth ranked SC Derby won against visiting Mornar (0-4) 94-79. The winners were led by Emir Hadzibegovic (204-1996) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and Kenan Kamenjas supported him with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Even 18 points and 5 assists by Serbian point guard Strahinja Jovanovic (185-1996) did not help to save the game for Mornar. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. SC Derby (3-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Partizan and Igokea. Mornar at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Cibona. SC Derby will play against Cedevita Ol. (#6) in Ljubljana in the next round. Mornar will play at home against Krka (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
One of the most interesting games of round 4 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Beograd where top-ranked Crvena Zvezda won against host FMP BG (1-3) 83-72. Shabazz Napier fired 10 points and 8 assists for the winners. Jordan Walker produced 17 points and 4 assists for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Crvena Zvezda have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Serbian champion (4-0) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost. Loser FMP BG keeps the eleventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Krka. Crvena Zvezda’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beograd to the arena Partizan.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 4: Borac CA lost to Split on the opponent’s court 61-75. Buducnost managed to outperform Cibona in a home game 93-85. Zadar managed to beat Krka on the road 88-75. Igokea defeated Cedevita Ol. on its own court 83-72.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points and 6 rebounds by Frank Kaminsky of Partizan.

Split – Borac CA 75-61

There was an upset when higher ranked Serbian Borac CA (2-2) was defeated on the road by twelfth ranked Croatian Split (1-2) 75-61 on Friday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Split made 7 blocks. Guard Toni Perkovic (191-1998, agency: AltusBasket) fired 21 points for the winners. Center Kresimir Ljubicic (210-1998, agency: AltusBasket) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds. American forward JaVon Franklin (201-1998, college: Georgia Tech) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Aleksa Uskokovic (189-1999) added 15 points and 6 assists respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Split left bottom position moving up to tenth place. Loser Borac CA dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Split will meet FMP BG (#12) in the next round. Borac CA will play against Igokea (#3) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Borac CA: A.Uskokovic 15+6ast, J.Franklin 13+11reb+4ast, B.Tomasevic 11+8reb+1ast, T.Birts 10+6reb+2ast, D.Talic 5+4ast, N.Manojlovic 4
Split: T.Perkovic 21+4reb+2ast, K.Ljubicic 16+7reb, D.Funderburk 12+2reb, C.Shelton 10+5reb+3ast, T.Vuko 6+5reb+1ast, S.Stevenson 4+6reb+2ast

gschID: 1116099

Buducnost – Cibona 93-85

Very predictable result in Podgorica where top-ranked Montenegrin Buducnost (4-0) defeated bottom-ranked Croatian Cibona (0-4) 93-85 on Friday. Buducnost made 22-of-26 free shots (84.6 percent) during the game. American point guard McKinley Wright IV (183-1998, college: Colorado) fired 16 points for the winners. French power forward Yoan Makoundou (206-2000) chipped in 14 points and 5 rebounds. American guard Alex Stein (191-1997, college: S.Indiana) produced 16 points and Serbian Aleksandar Aranitovic (195-1998) added 16 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Buducnost have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Montenegrin champion maintains first position with 4-0 record, which they share with Crvena Zvezda. Loser Cibona still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Mornar. Buducnost will meet at home Mega BG (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Cibona will play against Zadar (#8) and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Cibona: A.Stein 16+3reb+3ast, A.Aranitovic 16+4reb+1ast, B.Tomislav 13+6reb+2ast, J.Mustapic 13+5reb+2ast, I.Perasovic 8+1ast, I.Majcunic 6+2reb+2ast
Buducnost: C.Ross 16+1reb+1ast, M.Wright IV 16+2reb+1ast, Y.Makoundou 14+5reb, P.Popovic 11+3ast, G.Andrija 10+3reb, F.Magee 8

gschID: 1116100

Krka – Zadar 75-88

Everything could happen in Novo Mesto at the game between two tied teams. Both eleventh ranked Croatian Zadar and 9th ranked Slovenian Krka had identical 1-2 record. But Krka was not able to use a home court advantage and was defeated by the opponent from Zadar 88-75 on Saturday night. Zadar looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. Luka Bozic (200-1996) fired 24 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists for the winners. Bosnian forward Dario Dreznjak (204-1998) chipped in 21 points and 8 rebounds. Leon Stergar (193-2000) produced 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and power forward Jurij Macura (211-1999) added 11 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Four Krka players scored in double figures. Krka’s coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Defending Croatian champion (2-2) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Krka lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eleventh position with three games lost. They share it with FMP BG. Zadar will meet at home Cibona (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Krka will play against Mornar in Bar and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Krka: L.Stergar 23+8reb+4ast, J.Hamilton 17+1reb, J.Macura 11+9reb+1ast, J.Span 10+2reb+4ast, M.Radovanovic 6+7reb+3ast, I.Cousins 4+3reb+1ast
Zadar: L.Bozic 24+6reb+9ast, K.Zganec 23+6reb+3ast, D.Dreznjak 21+8reb+3ast, M.Ramljak 9+2reb+3ast, A.Lakic 6+7reb+4ast, L.Mazalin 5+3reb

gschID: 1116101

Igokea – Cedevita Ol. 83-72

Everything could happen in Aleksandrovac at the game between two tied teams. Both fourth ranked Bosnian Igokea and 5th ranked Slovenian Cedevita Ol. had identical 2-1 record. This time Igokea used a home court advantage and beat the opponent from Ljubljana 83-72 on Sunday night. Serbian forward Nikola Tanaskovic (204-1997) fired 15 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Swingman Edin Atic (201-1997) chipped in 12 points and 8 assists. Igokea’s coach used an eleven-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American-Montenegrin guard Justin Cobbs (191-1991, college: California, agency: Pensack Sports) produced 16 points and 6 assists and American-Kosovan Shawn Jones (203-1992, college: MTSU) added 10 points and 15 rebounds respectively for lost side. Igokea have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Bosnian champion (3-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Partizan and SC Derby. Defending Slovenian champion Cedevita Ol. dropped to the sixth position with two games lost. They share it with 3 other teams. Igokea will meet Borac CA (#7) in the next round. Cedevita Ol. will play against SC Derby and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cedevita Ol.: J.Cobbs 16+4reb+6ast, J.Blazic 15+3reb+2ast, S.Jones 10+15reb, S.Armand 9+1reb+3ast, D.Stewart Jr. 8+2reb, G.Glas 7+2reb
Igokea: N.Tanaskovic 15+5reb+3ast, M.Jeremic 12+2reb, E.Atic 12+2reb+8ast, D.Milosavljevic 12+2ast, N.Gordic 8+5reb+3ast, M.Josilo 7+3reb

gschID: 1116102

SC Derby – Mornar 94-79

One of the most interesting games of round 4 was a derby match between two teams from Montenegro. The game took place in Podgorica where sixth ranked SC Derby won against visiting Mornar (0-4) 94-79. SC Derby dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Mornar’s 26. They outrebounded Mornar 36-25 including 26 on the defensive glass. Mornar was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. The winners were led by Emir Hadzibegovic (204-1996) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 15 points and 11 rebounds and Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjas (207-2000) supported him with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Even 18 points and 5 assists by Serbian point guard Strahinja Jovanovic (185-1996) did not help to save the game for Mornar. American point guard Dwight Murray Jr (183-2000, college: Rider) added 11 points and 4 assists for lost side. Four Mornar players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. SC Derby (3-1) moved-up to third place, which they share with Partizan and Igokea. Mornar at the other side still closes the standings with four games lost. They share the position with Cibona. SC Derby will play against Cedevita Ol. (#6) in Ljubljana in the next round. Mornar will play at home against Krka (#11) and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Mornar: S.Jovanovic 18+2reb+5ast, A.Gavrilovic 12+2reb+1ast, D.Murray Jr. 11+4reb+4ast, N.Vranjes 11+2reb+1ast, M.Lewis 10+4reb, M.Mikovic 6+1reb+1ast
SC Derby: K.Kamenjas 17+9reb+2ast, E.Hadzibegovic 15+11reb+2ast, N.Pavlicevic 11+3reb+4ast, I.Drobnjak 10+1reb, B.Luka 8+4reb+2ast, M.David 8+3reb

gschID: 1116103

FMP BG – Crvena Zvezda 72-83

One of the most interesting games of round 4 was a derby match between two teams from Serbia. The game took place in Beograd where top-ranked Crvena Zvezda won against host FMP BG (1-3) 83-72. Crvena Zvezda looked well-organized offensively handing out 31 assists. American-Puerto Rican point guard Shabazz Napier (185-1991, college: UConn) fired 10 points and 8 assists for the winners. Point guard Milos Teodosic (195-1987) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 10 assists. Four Crvena Zvezda players scored in double figures. American point guard Jordan Walker (186-1997, college: Morehead St.) produced 17 points and 4 assists and Aleksa Stepanovic (206-1998) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Crvena Zvezda have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Serbian champion (4-0) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Buducnost. Loser FMP BG keeps the eleventh place with three games lost. They share the position with Krka. Crvena Zvezda’s supporters look forward to another derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Beograd to the arena Partizan.
Top scorers:
FMP BG: J.Walker 17+3reb+4ast, A.Stepanovic 15+3reb+1ast, B.Subotic 9+5reb+1ast, M.Pavicevic 8+4reb, H.Besson 8+3reb+2ast, N.Watson 6+3reb+1ast
Crvena Zvezda: M.Teodosic 11+10ast, D.Davidovac 10+4reb+2ast, S.Napier 10+3reb+8ast, Y.Matheus 10+3reb+5ast, D.Ilic 10+3reb, M.Tobey 9+4reb+1ast