Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
An interesting game for Spanish Real Madrid (16-7) which played road game in Monaco against 4th placed French Monaco (14-9). Second ranked Real Madrid managed to get a 4-point victory 95-91. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Monaco. Real Madrid looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Monaco helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Croatian Mario Hezonja (202-1995) orchestrated the victory by scoring 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Argentinian forward Gabriel Deck (198-1995) contributed with 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American guard Mike James (185-1990, college: Lamar) answered with 23 points and 7 assists for Monaco. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Madrid have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending Spanish champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Olympiacos. Monaco at the other side keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Fenerbahce. Real Madrid is looking forward to face Efes (#11) in Istanbul in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Monaco will play at home against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (#17) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Euroleague top team – Greek Olympiacos (16-7) added another victory to their record. This time they beat eleventh ranked Turkish Efes (11-12) in Piraeus 76-70. It was a great evening for Cypriot-Bulgarian forward Aleksandar Vezenkov (206-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points. Michalis Lountzis helped adding 13 points and 7 rebounds. Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic (196-1994, agency: BeoBasket) responded with 10 points and 4 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Olympiacos have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending Greek champion maintains first place with 16-7 record, which they share with Real Madrid. Efes at the other side keep the eleventh position with 12 games lost. They share it with Virtus BO. Olympiacos will play against bottom-ranked ALBA Berlin (#18) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Efes will play against the league’s second-placed Real Madrid (#2) and hope to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Valencia between Israeli Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Spanish Valencia. Ninth ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv (12-11) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Valencia (12-11). Maccabi Tel-Aviv managed to escape with a 1-point win 94-93 in the game for the seventh place. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Valencia. It was an exceptional evening for Bonzie Colson Jr who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jared Harper came up with 20 points for Valencia in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Maccabi Tel-Aviv moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Valencia. Maccabi Tel-Aviv will meet at home Crvena Zvezda (#13) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Valencia will play against Panathinaikos (#15) in Athens and hope to secure a win.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 23: Bayern were beaten by Barca on the road 72-70. Milano won against Crvena Zvezda on its own court 74-68. Bottom-ranked ALBA unfortunately lost to Fenerbahce in Istanbul 86-101. Zalgiris recorded a loss to Partizan at home 74-88. Virtus BO defeated ASVEL on the opponent’s court 77-64. Baskonia beat Panathinaikos in a home game 95-90.
The most impressive performance of 23th round was 19 points and 5 rebounds by Derrick Williams of Panathinaikos.
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Barca – Bayern 72-70
No shocking result in a game when third ranked Spanish Barca (15-8) edged 14th ranked German Bayern Muenchen (9-14) in Barcelona 72-70 on Thursday. However just two-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Barca looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for Czech center Jan Vesely (213-1990, agency: BeoBasket) who led the winners and scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. Nikola Mirotic (208-1991) accounted for 12 points for the winning side. American-German Nick Weiler-Babb (196-1995, college: Iowa St.) came up with 15 points and American Augustine Rubit (203-1989, college: USA, agency: BeoBasket) added 10 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Bayern Muenchen in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Barca maintains third place with 15-8 record behind leader Olympiacos. Loser Bayern Muenchen keeps the fourteenth position with 14 games lost. Barca will meet Virtus BO (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Bayern Muenchen will play against Partizan and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Barca: N.Mirotic 12+3reb+1ast, S.Sanli 10+3reb, J.Vesely 10+9reb+2ast, C.Higgins 9+3ast, R.Jokubaitis 7+6reb+3ast, A.Abrines 7+1ast
Bayern: N.Weiler-Babb 15+3reb, O.Jaramaz 12+1reb+2ast, A.Rubit 10+5reb+2ast, C.Walden 9+4reb+3ast, J.Niklas Wimberg 9+5reb, C.Winston 4+2reb+1ast
gschID: 990310
Milano – Crvena Zvezda 74-68
There was an upset when higher ranked Serbian Crvena Zvezda (10-13) lost on the road to seventeenth ranked Italian Milano (8-15) 74-68 on Thursday. Milano made 19-of-25 free shots (76.0 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Billy Baron (188-1990, college: Canisius, agency: BeoBasket) who led the winners and scored 15 points. His fellow American import swingman Devon Hall (196-1995, college: Virginia, agency: Octagon Europe) accounted for 14 points for the winning side. Ghanian-American Ben Bentil (204-1995, college: Providence) came up with 17 points and 7 rebounds and Argentinian-Italian guard Luca Vildoza (191-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) added 11 points respectively for Crvena Zvezda in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Italian champion moved-up to fifteenth place, which they share with Panathinaikos and ASVEL. Crvena Zvezda lost their fourth game in a row. Defending Serbian champion keeps the thirteenth position with 13 games lost. Milano will meet higher ranked Fenerbahce (#4) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Crvena Zvezda will play against Maccabi Tel-Aviv (#7) in Tel Aviv and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Milano: B.Baron 15+2reb+2ast, D.Hall 14+2reb+2ast, B.Davies 10+2ast, K.Hines 8+5reb+1ast, T.Luwawu-Cabarrot 8+6reb, J.Voigtmann 7+5reb+2ast
Crvena Zvezda: B.Bentil 17+7reb, L.Vildoza 11+2reb+3ast, F.Petrusev 9+1reb+3ast, L.Mitrovic 7+3reb, O.Dobric 7+3reb+2ast, D.Ilic 5+5reb
gschID: 990311
Valencia – M.Tel-Aviv 93-94
A very close game took place in Valencia between Israeli Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Spanish Valencia. Ninth ranked Maccabi Tel-Aviv (12-11) got a very close victory on the road over 7th ranked Valencia (12-11). Maccabi Tel-Aviv managed to escape with a 1-point win 94-93 in the game for the seventh place. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Valencia. They outrebounded Valencia 33-19 including a 23-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for American Bonzie Colson Jr (198-1996, college: Notre Dame, agency: Octagon Europe) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 12 rebounds. His fellow American import point guard Wade Baldwin IV (193-1996, college: Vanderbilt) accounted for 19 points and 4 assists for the winning side. American point guard Jared Harper (180-1997, college: Auburn, agency: Verus Management) came up with 20 points and Slovenian Klemen Prepelic (191-1992) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively for Valencia in the defeat. Four Maccabi Tel-Aviv and five Valencia players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players in such tough game. Maccabi Tel-Aviv moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Valencia. Maccabi Tel-Aviv will meet at home Crvena Zvezda (#13) in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Valencia will play against Panathinaikos (#15) in Athens and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
M.Tel-Aviv: W.Baldwin IV 19+3reb+4ast, J.DiBartolomeo 17+1reb+2ast, B.Colson Jr. 17+12reb+3ast, J.Martin 10+5reb, J.Nebo 9+6reb, R.Sorkin 6
Valencia: J.Harper 20+3ast, K.Prepelic 15+1reb+4ast, C.Jones 13+2ast, J.Pradilla 13+3reb+2ast, J.Radebaugh 11+1reb+2ast, K.Alexander 6+5reb
gschID: 990312
Fenerbahce – ALBA 101-86
Very predictable result when fifth ranked Turkish Fenerbahce (14-9) won against bottom-ranked German ALBA Berlin (6-17) in Istanbul 101-86 on Friday. Fenerbahce made 20-of-24 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Nigel Hayes-Davis (203-1994, college: Wisconsin) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 11 rebounds. His fellow American import center Johnathan Motley (208-1995, college: Baylor) accounted for 18 points for the winning side. Israeli point guard Tamir Blatt (178-1997) came up with 11 points and 8 assists and Johannes Thiemann (206-1994, agency: BeoBasket) added 10 points and 5 assists respectively for ALBA Berlin in the defeat. Four Fenerbahce and five ALBA Berlin players scored in double figures. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Turkish champion moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Monaco. ALBA Berlin lost their fifth game in a row. Defending German champion stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Fenerbahce will meet at home Milano (#16) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. ALBA Berlin will play against the league’s leader Olympiacos and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Fenerbahce: N.Hayes-Davis 24+11reb+3ast, J.Motley 18+2reb+2ast, C.Edwards 13+3reb, M.Guduric 12+3reb, N.Calathes 10+2reb+3ast, D.Pierre 9+5reb+4ast
ALBA: Y.Wetzell 13+2reb, Y.Zoosman 12+4reb, T.Blatt 11+8ast, B.Lammers 10+4reb+1ast, J.Thiemann 10+3reb+5ast, L.Olinde 10+5reb+1ast
gschID: 990313
Monaco – Real Madrid 91-95
An interesting game for Spanish Real Madrid (16-7) which played road game in Monaco against 4th placed French Monaco (14-9). Second ranked Real Madrid managed to get a 4-point victory 95-91. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Monaco. Real Madrid looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Monaco helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Croatian Mario Hezonja (202-1995) orchestrated the victory by scoring 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Argentinian forward Gabriel Deck (198-1995) contributed with 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Four Real Madrid players scored in double figures. American guard Mike James (185-1990, college: Lamar) answered with 23 points and 7 assists and guard Elie Okobo (191-1997) added 16 points in the effort for Monaco. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Madrid have a solid series of three victories in a row. Defending Spanish champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Olympiacos. Monaco at the other side keeps the fourth place with nine games lost. They share the position with Fenerbahce. Real Madrid is looking forward to face Efes (#11) in Istanbul in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Monaco will play at home against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (#17) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Real Madrid: M.Hezonja 30+6reb+6ast, D.Musa 14+2reb+5ast, G.Deck 13+9reb+2ast, S.Llull 10+1ast, G.Yabusele 9+5reb+4ast, A.Hanga 7
Monaco: M.James 23+1reb+7ast, E.Okobo 16+1reb+3ast, A.Diallo 15+1reb+1ast, D.Motiejunas 7+3reb, J.Brown III 7+3reb+2ast, D.Hall 6+6reb
gschID: 990314
Zalgiris – Partizan 74-88
There was a minor upset when 7th ranked Lithuanian Zalgiris (12-11) lost to tenth ranked Serbian Partizan (12-11) in Kaunas 74-88 on Friday. Partizan shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 59.1 percentage. It was an exceptional evening for French center Mathias Lessort (206-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) who led the winners and scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Greek forward Ioannis Papapetrou (203-1994, college: Texas) accounted for 17 points for the winning side. Five Partizan players scored in double figures. Canadian-Lithuanian Ignas Brazdeikis (201-1999, college: Michigan) came up with 17 points and Edgaras Ulanovas (199-1992) added 6 points and 5 assists respectively for Zalgiris in the defeat. Zalgiris’ coach rotated ten players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Partizan. They moved-up to seventh place, which they share with 3 other teams including defeated Zalgiris. Zalgiris lost their third game in a row. Partizan will meet Bayern Muenchen (#14) on the road in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Zalgiris will play against Baskonia (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Partizan: I.Papapetrou 17+4reb, M.Lessort 14+6reb+1ast, K.Punter 14+1reb+3ast, Z.LeDay 11+10reb, D.Exum 11+3reb+1ast, J.Nunnally 10+2ast
Zalgiris: I.Brazdeikis 17+3reb+3ast, R.Smits 10+3reb+1ast, L.Birutis 10+3reb, K.Hayes 8+4reb+1ast, E.Ulanovas 6+4reb+5ast, L.Lekavicius 5+3ast
gschID: 990315
ASVEL – Virtus BO 64-77
Everything went according to plan when twelfth ranked Italian Virtus BO (11-12) defeated on the road 15th ranked French ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (8-15) 77-64 on Friday. It was an exceptional evening for Marco Belinelli (196-1986) who led the winners and scored 21 points. French Isaia Cordinier (196-1996) accounted for 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Guard Nando De Colo (196-1987) came up with 15 points and 6 assists and Bulgarian-American point guard Dee Bost (188-1989, college: MSU) added 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket in the defeat. Both coaches allowed to play bench players saving starting five for next games. Virtus BO moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Anadolu Efes. Defending French champion ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket keeps the fifteenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Milano and Panathinaikos. Virtus BO will meet at home higher ranked Barca (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket will play against Monaco (#5) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Virtus BO: M.Belinelli 21+1reb+1ast, I.Cordinier 10+5reb+5ast, T.Shengelia 10+4reb+3ast, D.Hackett 7+3reb+2ast, N.Mannion 6+2reb+3ast, A.Pajola 5+4reb+3ast
ASVEL: N.De Colo 15+2reb+6ast, Y.Fall 11+5reb, A.Noua 10+2reb, D.Bost 9+7reb+4ast, C.Lombahe-Kahudi 8+2reb, D.Lighty 5+1reb
gschID: 990316
Olympiacos – Anadolu Efes 76-70
Euroleague top team – Greek Olympiacos (16-7) added another victory to their record. This time they beat eleventh ranked Turkish Efes (11-12) in Piraeus 76-70. Olympiacos players were unselfish on offense dishing 24 assists. It was a great evening for Cypriot-Bulgarian forward Aleksandar Vezenkov (206-1995) who led his team to a victory scoring 23 points. Point guard Michalis Lountzis (195-1998) helped adding 13 points and 7 rebounds. Serbian point guard Vasilije Micic (196-1994, agency: BeoBasket) responded with 10 points and 4 assists and Armenian-American center Bryant Dunston (203-1986) scored 9 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Olympiacos have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending Greek champion maintains first place with 16-7 record, which they share with Real Madrid. Efes at the other side keep the eleventh position with 12 games lost. They share it with Virtus BO. Olympiacos will play against bottom-ranked ALBA Berlin (#18) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Efes will play against the league’s second-placed Real Madrid (#2) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Olympiacos: A.Vezenkov 23+3reb+3ast, M.Lountzis 13+7reb, S.McKissic 10+2reb+4ast, M.Fall 10+2reb+1ast, K.Papanikolaou 6+5reb+6ast, G.Larentzakis 5+1reb+2ast
Anadolu Efes: E.Bryant 10+3reb+1ast, S.Larkin 10+1reb+5ast, V.Micic 10+2reb+4ast, R.Beaubois 10+3ast, B.Dunston 9+6reb+1ast, A.Zizic 9+1reb+1ast
gschID: 990317
Baskonia – Panathinaikos 95-90
There was no surprise when 15th ranked Greek Panathinaikos (8-15) lost to sixth ranked Spanish Baskonia (13-10) in Vitoria 90-95 on Friday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Baskonia made 16-of-18 free shots (88.9 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Markus Howard (180-1999, college: Marquette) who led the winners and scored 24 points. American-Ivorian power forward Matt Costello (208-1993, college: Michigan St.) accounted for 16 points for the winning side. Baskonia’s coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American-Cameroonian guard Paris Lee (183-1995, college: Illinois St.) came up with 16 points and 8 assists and American forward Derrick Williams (203-1991, college: Arizona) added 19 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Panathinaikos in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Baskonia maintains sixth place with 13-10 record. Loser Panathinaikos keep the fifteenth position with 15 games lost. They share it with Milano and ASVEL. Baskonia will meet Zalgiris (#10) in the next round. Panathinaikos will play against Valencia (#9) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Baskonia: M.Howard 24+3reb+2ast, M.Costello 16+4reb, V.Marinkovic 14+1reb+1ast, M.Kotsar 10+6reb+4ast, R.Giedraitis 9+8reb+1ast, S.Enoch 6+3reb
Panathinaikos: D.Williams 19+5reb, P.Lee 16+2reb+8ast, D.Bacon 16+3reb+2ast, G.Papagiannis 16+7reb, N.Wolters 7+4reb+4ast, M.Grigonis 7+2ast
gschID: 990318
