Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.
Eighth defeat of league’s leader Greek Olympiacos (18-8) against fifteenth ranked Italian Milano (10-15) 83-62 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Olympiacos. American guard Billy Baron (188-1990, college: Canisius, agency: BeoBasket) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 5 assists. Power forward Nicolo Melli (205-1991) contributed with 10 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Cypriot-Bulgarian forward Aleksandar Vezenkov (206-1995) replied with 10 points and 6 rebounds for Olympiacos. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Milano have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Italian champion moved-up to fourteenth place. Defending Greek champion Olympiacos dropped to the second position with eight games lost. They share it with Barca. They were replaced at the leadership position by Real Madrid. Olympiacos will play next round against strong Barca trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Milano will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Valencia on the road.
One of the most interesting games of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Spain. The game took place in Vitoria where seventh ranked Baskonia outleveled visiting Valencia (13-13) 114-75. American players dominated the game. Guard Darius Thompson (193-1995, college: WKU) had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and Daulton Hommes chipped in 24 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 15-for-15 from the free throw line !!!) during the contest. point guard Jared Harper (180-1997, college: Auburn, agency: Verus Management) responded with 15 points. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Baskonia (14-12) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Partizan. Valencia at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with M.Tel-Aviv and Zalgiris. Baskonia will play against league’s leader Real Madrid on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Valencia will play against Milano (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
There were no big surprises in other games of round 26: M.Tel-Aviv was smashed by Monaco on the road 86-67. Panathinaikos lost to Anadolu Efes on its own court 82-87. Zalgiris were outscored by Barca in Barcelona 74-93. Bayern managed to beat Crvena Zvezda at home 87-80. Virtus BO was crushed by Fenerbahce on the opponent’s court 104-72. ASVEL lost to Spanish defending champion Real Madrid in a home game 71-75. Bottom-ranked ALBA lost to Partizan on the road 74-88.
The most impressive performance of 26th round was 9 points and 10 rebounds by Christ Koumadje of ALBA.
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Monaco – M.Tel-Aviv 86-67
No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked French Monaco (16-10) crushed at home 8th ranked Israeli Maccabi Tel-Aviv (13-13) 86-67. Monaco dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s 32 and made 19-of-21 charity shots (90.5 percent) during the game. American players dominated the game. Swingman Jordan Loyd (193-1993, college: Indianapolis) scored 18 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and guard Mike James (185-1990, college: Lamar) chipped in 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists during the contest. Five Monaco players scored in double figures. Point guard Wade Baldwin IV (193-1996, college: Vanderbilt) responded with 17 points and 6 rebounds and Bonzie Colson Jr (198-1996, college: Notre Dame, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 16 points and 6 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Monaco maintains fifth position with 16-10 record. Maccabi Tel-Aviv at the other side dropped to the ninth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Valencia and Zalgiris. Monaco will play against Panathinaikos (#16) in Athens in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Maccabi Tel-Aviv will play at home against Fenerbahce (#4) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Monaco: J.Loyd 18+4reb+4ast, M.James 12+5reb+6ast, D.Hall 12+10reb+1ast, A.Diallo 11+2reb+1ast, E.Okobo 11+5reb+2ast, D.Motiejunas 9+4reb
M.Tel-Aviv: W.Baldwin IV 17+6reb+3ast, B.Colson Jr. 16+6reb+1ast, R.Sorkin 9+3reb+1ast, L.Brown 7+2reb+3ast, D.Hilliard 7+1ast, J.DiBartolomeo 5+1reb
gschID: 990337
Panathinaikos – Anadolu Efes 82-87
Very expected game when 16th ranked Greek Panathinaikos (8-18) lost to eleventh ranked Turkish Efes (13-12) in Athens 82-87. Efes dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Panathinaikos’ 22. American forward Will Clyburn (201-1990, college: Iowa St.) scored 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import swingman Elijah Bryant (196-1995, college: BYU, agency: Pensack Sports) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Efes players scored in double figures. Lithuanian swingman Marius Grigonis (198-1994) responded with 23 points and 4 assists and American-Cameroonian guard Paris Lee (183-1995, college: Illinois St.) scored 19 points. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Efes moved-up to eighth place. Panathinaikos lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 18 games lost. They share it with ASVEL. Efes will play against Crvena Zvezda (#13) in Beograd in the next round where they are favorite. Panathinaikos will play on the road against Monaco and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Anadolu Efes: W.Clyburn 24+7reb+4ast, E.Bryant 16+7reb+2ast, S.Larkin 13+1reb+10ast, A.Zizic 12+7reb, C.Singleton 7+4reb, A.M’Baye 4+5reb
Panathinaikos: M.Grigonis 23+1reb+4ast, P.Lee 19+2reb+3ast, M.Thomas 8+3reb, M.Ponitka 8+6reb+1ast, D.Williams 6+1reb, M.Lefteris 5+3reb+1ast
gschID: 990338
Barca – Zalgiris 93-74
Very predictable result when third ranked Spanish Barca (18-8) rolled over 10th ranked Lithuanian Zalgiris (13-13) in Barcelona 93-74. Barca players were unselfish on offense dishing 26 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Zalgiris’ players. Zalgiris were plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Nikola Mirotic (208-1991) scored 28 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) to lead the charge for the winners and Czech point guard Tomas Satoransky (201-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) chipped in 12 points and 5 assists during the contest. Canadian-Lithuanian Ignas Brazdeikis (201-1999, college: Michigan) responded with 15 points and center Laurynas Birutis (213-1997) scored 12 points. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Barca have an impressive five-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place, which they share with Olympiacos. Zalgiris at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with Valencia and M.Tel-Aviv. Barca will play against league’s second-placed Olympiacos in Piraeus in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Zalgiris will play on the road against ALBA Berlin (#18) and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Barca: N.Mirotic 28+2reb, T.Satoransky 12+2reb+5ast, S.Sanli 10+1reb+1ast, J.Vesely 7+2reb+4ast, N.Laprovittola 6+5ast, N.James 5+3reb
Zalgiris: I.Brazdeikis 15+2reb, L.Birutis 12+4reb, K.Hayes 8+2reb+1ast, A.Polonara 8+2reb, E.Ulanovas 7, L.Lekavicius 7+1reb+3ast
gschID: 990339
Bayern – Crvena Zvezda 87-80
There was a minor upset when 13th ranked Serbian Crvena Zvezda (11-15) lost on the road to fifteenth ranked German Bayern Muenchen (10-16) 87-80. Serbian Vladimir Lucic (204-1989, agency: BeoBasket) scored 20 points (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and American point guard Cassius Winston (185-1997, college: Michigan St.) chipped in 20 points during the contest. Argentinian-Italian guard Luca Vildoza (191-1995, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 18 points and 5 assists and Argentinian point guard Facundo Campazzo (180-1991) scored 16 points and 7 assists. Four Crvena Zvezda players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bayern Muenchen maintains fifteenth position with 10-16 record. Defending Serbian champion Crvena Zvezda keeps the thirteenth place with 15 games lost. Bayern Muenchen will play against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (#17) at home in the next round. Crvena Zvezda will play against Efes (#8) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Bayern: C.Winston 20+1ast, V.Lucic 20+1reb, N.Giffey 11, O.Hunter 8+4reb+1ast, F.Gillespie 8+9reb+1ast, N.Weiler-Babb 7+4reb+3ast
Crvena Zvezda: L.Vildoza 18+3reb+5ast, F.Campazzo 16+3reb+7ast, N.Nedovic 15+3reb+4ast, F.Petrusev 10+4reb, H.Martin 8+1reb, L.Mitrovic 5+4reb+3ast
gschID: 990340
Fenerbahce – Virtus BO 104-72
Everything went according to plan when fifth ranked Turkish Fenerbahce (16-9) outplayed 12th ranked Italian Virtus BO (12-14) in Istanbul 104-72. They outrebounded Virtus BO 39-27 including 27 on the defensive glass. Fenerbahce players were unselfish on offense dishing 27 assists. Canadian forward Dyshawn Pierre (198-1993, college: Dayton, agency: BeoBasket) scored 20 points to lead the charge for the winners and American center Johnathan Motley (208-1995, college: Baylor) chipped in 16 points and 7 rebounds during the contest. Four Fenerbahce players scored in double figures. Marco Belinelli (196-1986) responded with 18 points and Georgian Tornike Shengelia (206-1991, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 10 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Fenerbahce have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Turkish champion moved-up to fourth place. Virtus BO at the other side keeps the twelfth position with 14 games lost. Fenerbahce will play against Maccabi Tel-Aviv (#9) in Tel Aviv in the next round where they are favorite. Virtus BO will play at home against Partizan and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Fenerbahce: D.Pierre 20+3reb+2ast, J.Motley 16+7reb+2ast, M.Guduric 16+2reb+3ast, S.Wilbekin 15+1reb+1ast, N.Calathes 11+4reb+8ast, C.Edwards 5
Virtus BO: M.Belinelli 18+2reb+3ast, T.Shengelia 10+5reb+5ast, J.Mickey 10+4reb, N.Mannion 8+2reb+1ast, S.Ojeleye 5+6reb+1ast, D.Hackett 5
gschID: 990341
ASVEL – Real Madrid 71-75
There was no surprise when 16th ranked French ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (8-18) lost at home to third ranked Spanish Real Madrid (18-7) 75-71. French swingman Fabien Causeur (196-1987) scored 14 points to lead the charge for the winners and Argentinian forward Gabriel Deck (198-1995) chipped in 12 points during the contest. Four Real Madrid players scored in double figures. Guard Nando De Colo (196-1987) responded with 13 points and 6 rebounds and Senegalese-French center Youssoupha Fall (221-1995) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Real Madrid have an impressive five-game winning streak. Defending Spanish champion keeps a position of league leader. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket lost fifth consecutive game. Defending French champion keeps the sixteenth place with 18 games lost. They share the position with Panathinaikos. Real Madrid will play against Baskonia (#7) in Vitoria in the next round where they are favorite. ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket will play on the road against Bayern Muenchen (#15) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Real Madrid: F.Causeur 14+4reb+2ast, N.Williams-Goss 13+1reb, G.Deck 12+4reb+3ast, D.Musa 11+1ast, W.Tavares 7+7reb+1ast, P.Cornelie 5+4reb+1ast
ASVEL: N.De Colo 13+6reb, J.Mathews 13+1reb+3ast, Y.Fall 10+9reb, R.Obasohan 9+2reb+3ast, A.Tyus 8+4reb, D.Lighty 8+2reb+1ast
gschID: 990342
Baskonia – Valencia 114-75
One of the most interesting games of round 26 was a derby match between two teams from Spain. The game took place in Vitoria where seventh ranked Baskonia outleveled visiting Valencia (13-13) 114-75. Baskonia made 23-of-27 charity shots (85.2 percent) during the game. Baskonia outrebounded Valencia 42-15 including a 30-13 advantage in defensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American players dominated the game. Guard Darius Thompson (193-1995, college: WKU) had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and forward Daulton Hommes (203-1996, college: PLNU) chipped in 24 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 15-for-15 from the free throw line !!!) during the contest. Point guard Jared Harper (180-1997, college: Auburn, agency: Verus Management) responded with 15 points and James Webb III (203-1993, college: Boise St.) scored 10 points. Five Baskonia and four Valencia players scored in double figures. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Baskonia (14-12) moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Partizan. Valencia at the other side dropped to the ninth position with 13 games lost. They share it with M.Tel-Aviv and Zalgiris. Baskonia will play against league’s leader Real Madrid on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Valencia will play against Milano (#14) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Baskonia: D.Hommes 24+6reb, D.Thompson 16+3reb+11ast, M.Costello 15+8reb+1ast, V.Marinkovic 14+5reb+1ast, R.Giedraitis 14+5reb+1ast, D.Diez 8+3reb+1ast
Valencia: J.Harper 15+1reb+2ast, X.Lopez-Arostegui 13+1reb, J.Rivero 10+1reb, J.Webb III 10+4reb, C.Jones 9+4ast, K.Prepelic 8+1ast
gschID: 990343
Milano – Olympiacos 83-62
Eighth defeat of league’s leader Greek Olympiacos (18-8) against fifteenth ranked Italian Milano (10-15) 83-62 was the most important game of the last round. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Olympiacos. American guard Billy Baron (188-1990, college: Canisius, agency: BeoBasket) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 5 assists. Power forward Nicolo Melli (205-1991) contributed with 10 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Cypriot-Bulgarian forward Aleksandar Vezenkov (206-1995) replied with 10 points and 6 rebounds and American guard Thomas Walkup (193-1992, college: SF Austin) added 10 points and 5 assists in the effort for Olympiacos. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Milano have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Italian champion moved-up to fourteenth place. Defending Greek champion Olympiacos dropped to the second position with eight games lost. They share it with Barca. They were replaced at the leadership position by Real Madrid. Olympiacos will play next round against strong Barca trying to make it back to the top of the standings. Milano will try to continue on its current victory against eleventh ranked Valencia on the road.
Top scorers:
Milano: B.Baron 18+2reb+5ast, N.Melli 10+5reb+1ast, S.Napier 9+3reb+3ast, T.Luwawu-Cabarrot 9+2reb+1ast, B.Davies 8+1reb, G.Ricci 8+3reb
Olympiacos: T.Walkup 10+2reb+5ast, A.Vezenkov 10+6reb+2ast, K.Papanikolaou 8+2reb+1ast, K.Sloukas 8+3reb+5ast, G.Larentzakis 6+1reb+1ast, A.Peters 5+3reb
gschID: 990344
Partizan – ALBA 88-74
No shocking result in a game when seventh ranked Serbian Partizan (14-12) beat bottom-ranked German ALBA Berlin (7-19) in Beograd 88-74. Partizan forced 21 ALBA Berlin turnovers. ALBA Berlin was plagued by 24 personal fouls down the stretch. Guard Aleksa Avramovic (192-1994, agency: BeoBasket) scored 19 points to lead the charge for the winners and American-Serbian Kevin Punter (192-1993, college: Tennessee) chipped in 16 points during the contest. Four Partizan players scored in double figures. Point guard Maodo Lo (191-1992, college: Columbia) responded with 17 points and Chadian center Christ Koumadje (221-1996, college: FSU) scored 9 points and 10 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Partizan moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Baskonia. Defending German champion ALBA Berlin stay at the bottom position with 19 games lost. Partizan will play against Virtus BO (#12) in Bologna in the next round where they are favorite. ALBA Berlin will play at home against Zalgiris (#10) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Partizan: A.Avramovic 19+2ast, K.Punter 16+2reb+3ast, Z.LeDay 13+3reb+1ast, M.Lessort 10+6reb+2ast, M.Yam 7+2reb+5ast, A.Smailagic 6+1reb+1ast
ALBA: M.Lo 17+1reb+3ast, Y.Wetzell 10+2reb, J.Thiemann 10+2reb+1ast, L.Sikma 9+4reb+4ast, C.Koumadje 9+10reb+1ast, P.Gabriele 8+2reb+1ast
gschID: 990345
Tags : BILLY BARON, AX ARMANI EXCHANGE MILANO, EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL
