NBB Round 37 (Regular Season): Minas defeat Pato in the closest game of the week

The teams have now bigger motivation at this stage of Regular Season. Every game can be crucial and decide about teams' position at the end of Regular Season. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Thirteenth-ranked Pato (12-19) gave a tough game to first ranked Minas (26-4) in Pato Branco on Thursday. The visitors from Belo Horizonte managed to secure only three-point victory 75-72. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Pato. Argentinian guard Juan Arengo (185-1996) stepped up and scored 21 points for the winners and the former international power forward Rafael Mineiro (208-1988) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side Rafa Oliveira (198-1993) responded with 18 points. Minas have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 26-4 record. Pato at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 19 games lost. Minas are looking forward to face Vasco da Gama (#5) in Rio de Janeiro in the next round. Pato will play at home against Sesi/Franca (#3) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Brasilia. 4th placed host Brasilia (19-11) lost to first ranked Minas (26-4) 77-63. Argentinian guard Juan Arengo (185-1996) nailed 25 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and Danilo Fuzaro accounted for 11 points and 5 rebounds. Anderson Rodrigues (207-1997) came up with 11 points and 6 rebounds for Brasilia in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Minas. They maintain first place with 26-4 record. Brasilia at the other side keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Minas will play against Vasco da Gama (#5) in Rio de Janeiro in the next round. Brasilia will play at home against Vasco da Gama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
17th ranked Botafogo (8-22) was outscored at home by twelfth ranked Paulistano (14-17) with the biggest margin this round 85-64 on Thursday night. Kevin Crescenzi fired 15 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. Derick Machado produced 19 points and 7 rebounds for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Paulistano maintains twelfth place with 14-17 record. Botafogo lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the seventeenth position with 22 games lost. Paulistano will meet league's second-placed Flamengo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Botafogo will play against Sao Paulo (#14) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 37: Paulistano lost to Vasco da Gama on the opponent's court 66-78. Sao Jose managed to outperform UniFacisa in a home game 78-66. U.Corinthians recorded a loss to Sesi/Franca on the road 73-55. Mogi defeated Cearense on its own court 75-63. Sao Paulo was smashed by Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro 105-86.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 21 points and 7 assists by Alexey Borges of Flamengo.



Brasilia - Minas 63-77

The game between Top Four teams took place in Brasilia. 4th placed host Brasilia (19-11) lost to first ranked Minas (26-4) 77-63. Argentinian guard Juan Arengo (185-1996) nailed 25 points (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winning side and the former international guard Danilo Fuzaro (193-1994) accounted for 11 points and 5 rebounds. Anderson Rodrigues (207-1997) came up with 11 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Lucas Lacerda (179-1997) added 12 points respectively for Brasilia in the defeat. Four Brasilia players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The victory was the eighth consecutive win for Minas. They maintain first place with 26-4 record. Brasilia at the other side keeps the fourth position with 11 games lost. Minas will play against Vasco da Gama (#5) in Rio de Janeiro in the next round. Brasilia will play at home against Vasco da Gama and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Minas: J.Arengo 25+4reb+3ast, D.Fuzaro 11+5reb+3ast, J.Hollowell 10+4reb+1ast, R.Mineiro 9+2reb, A.Paranhos 8+2reb+1ast, L.Rodriguez 7+2reb+1ast
Brasilia: G.Sacco 15+1ast, L.Lacerda 12+2reb+2ast, A.Rodrigues 11+6reb+1ast, D.Von Haydin 10+3reb+1ast, A.Cook 9+2ast, M.Bonfim 2+6reb

Vasco da Gama - Paulistano 78-66

Very expected game in Rio de Janeiro where 12th ranked Paulistano (14-17) was defeated by seventh ranked Vasco da Gama (17-13) 78-66 on Tuesday. Vasco da Gama made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. Forward Paulo Scheuer (200-1999) fired 22 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Point guard Alexsander Vernizz (184-2000) chipped in 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Four Vasco da Gama players scored in double figures. Forward Brunao Cardoso (197-2002) produced 15 points and 7 rebounds and international Lucas Vieira (190-2004) added 18 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Paulistano's coach Demetrius Ferraciu rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Vasco da Gama moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Bauru. Paulistano lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the twelfth position with 17 games lost. Vasco da Gama will meet league's leader Minas in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Paulistano will play against the league's second-placed Flamengo (#2) in Rio de Janeiro and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Vasco da Gama: P.Scheuer 22+6reb+2ast, J.Smith 17+4reb+3ast, R.Paulichi 13+7reb+2ast, A.Vernizz 12+7reb+6ast, L.Basilio 9+10reb+4ast, E.Carvalho 4+4reb+1ast
Paulistano: L.Vieira 18+5reb, B.Cardoso 15+7reb+2ast, K.Crescenzi 8+1reb+4ast, S.Ferreyra 8+4reb+2ast, V.Silva Brandao 7+3reb+4ast, G.Landeira 6+3reb+4ast

Sao Jose - UniFacisa 78-66

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both tenth ranked Sao Jose and 9th ranked UNIFACISA had identical 15-15 record. This time Sao Jose used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Paraiba 78-66 on Wednesday night. The former international guard Adyel Borges (190-2002) fired 15 points and 4 assists for the winners. The former international point guard Felipe Ruivo (188-1998) chipped in 14 points. Four Sao Jose players scored in double figures. American guard Adrian Delph (191-2000, college: App State) produced 17 points and 5 rebounds and power forward Rafael Rachel (205-2000) added 13 points respectively for lost side. UNIFACISA's coach Rodrigo Leonardo rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sao Jose (16-15) moved-up to ninth place. Loser UNIFACISA dropped to the tenth position with 16 games lost. Sao Jose will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. UniFacisa will play against Pinheiros (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sao Jose: A.Borges 15+4reb+4ast, F.Ruivo 14+4reb+3ast, F.Vieta 14+2reb+2ast, D.Silva 13+6reb+1ast, R.Carbonari 9+6reb+2ast, V.Leal 8+5reb+1ast
UniFacisa: A.Delph 17+5reb+2ast, R.Rachel 13+4reb+2ast, M.Solanas 9+4reb+4ast, T.Gaskins 9+3reb+2ast, C.Alaekwe 8+4reb+1ast, A.Ferreira 5+5reb

Sesi/Franca - U.Corinthians 73-55

Not a big story in a game in Sao Paulo where 7th ranked U.Corinthians (16-13) was defeated by third ranked Vivo/Franca (21-9) 73-55 on Wednesday. The former international Wesley Ferreira (201-1995) fired 14 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. The former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) chipped in 12 points and 7 assists. Four Vivo/Franca players scored in double figures. The former international center Dikembe Andre (206-1999) produced 15 points and 8 rebounds and American forward Duane Johnson (204-1991, college: ESU) added 11 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Vivo/Franca. Sesi/Franca maintains third place with 21-9 record having five points less than leader Minas. Loser U.Corinthians keeps the seventh position with 13 games lost. Sesi/Franca will meet Pato (#13) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. U.Corinthians will play against Bauru (#6) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: D.Louzada 17+4reb+2ast, W.Ferreira 14+9reb, G.de Paula 12+4reb+7ast, D.Jackson 11+1reb+2ast, C.Hinkle 7+2reb+1ast, F.Corvalan 6+1reb+1ast
U.Corinthians: D.Andre 15+8reb+2ast, D.Johnson 11+3reb+2ast, R.Barber 8+6reb, V.Lersch 5+2reb+5ast, F.Russo 5+3reb, F.Verissimo 4+8reb+1ast

Mogi - Cearense 75-63

Everything went according to plan in Mogi das Cruzes where sixteenth ranked Mogi (10-21) beat bottom-ranked Fortaleza (8-23) 75-63 on Wednesday. Point guard Gabriel Campos (181-2001) fired 22 points and 4 assists for the winners. Point guard Felipe Gregate (188-2003) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. American swingman Dexter McClanahan (193-1997, college: Nicholls) produced 15 points and 7 rebounds and swingman Anderson Barbosa (192-2000) added 15 points and 9 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Mogi maintains sixteenth place with 10-21 record. Cearense lost their fourth game in a row. They stay at the bottom position with 23 games lost. Mogi will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cearense will play against Corinthians (#11) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Mogi: G.Campos 22+3reb+4ast, F.Gregate 20+4reb+4ast, L.Segantini 7+10reb+1ast, G.Lessa 6+4reb+6ast, I.Mendes 6+4reb, J.Costa 5
Cearense: A.Barbosa 15+9reb, D.McClanahan 15+7reb+2ast, R.Lenz 12+6reb+1ast, F.Salsamendi 6+1reb+3ast, S.Orresta 6+2reb+6ast, E.Oliveira 5

Pato - Minas 72-75

Thirteenth-ranked Pato (12-19) gave a tough game to first ranked Minas (26-4) in Pato Branco on Thursday. The visitors from Belo Horizonte managed to secure only three-point victory 75-72. However their fans expected much easier game. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Pato. Argentinian guard Juan Arengo (185-1996) stepped up and scored 21 points for the winners and the former international power forward Rafael Mineiro (208-1988) chipped in 14 points and 6 rebounds. At the losing side Rafa Oliveira (198-1993) responded with 18 points and power forward Gabriel Novaes (208-2001) scored 14 points and 6 rebounds. Five Pato players scored in double figures. Minas have an impressive series of eight victories in a row. They maintain first place with 26-4 record. Pato at the other side keeps the thirteenth position with 19 games lost. Minas are looking forward to face Vasco da Gama (#5) in Rio de Janeiro in the next round. Pato will play at home against Sesi/Franca (#3) and is hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Minas: J.Arengo 21+4reb, R.Mineiro 14+6reb+2ast, D.Fuzaro 9+5reb+6ast, W.Braga 8+6reb, A.Paranhos 6+7reb+1ast, F.Baralle 6+5reb+6ast
Pato: R.Oliveira 18+4reb+1ast, G.Novaes 14+6reb+1ast, A.Bernardi 13+4reb, A.Wrighten 12+1reb+3ast, N.Barnes 10+4reb+1ast, J.Materan 3+3reb+3ast

Botafogo - Paulistano 64-85

17th ranked Botafogo (8-22) was outscored at home by twelfth ranked Paulistano (14-17) with the biggest margin this round 85-64 on Thursday night. Paulistano made 22-of-27 free shots (81.5 percent) during the game. Paulistano outrebounded Botafogo 46-29 including a 36-21 advantage in defensive rebounds. Paulistano looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. International guard Kevin Crescenzi (192-1993, college: Dartmouth) fired 15 points and 8 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. Forward Brunao Cardoso (197-2002) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Four Paulistano players scored in double figures. Derick Machado (198-1996) produced 19 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Fred Thomas (196-1993, college: MSU) added 6 points and 7 rebounds respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Paulistano maintains twelfth place with 14-17 record. Botafogo lost their fourth game in a row. Newly promoted team keeps the seventeenth position with 22 games lost. Paulistano will meet league's second-placed Flamengo in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Botafogo will play against Sao Paulo (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Paulistano: K.Crescenzi 15+8reb+3ast, L.Inacio 13+5reb+1ast, S.Ferreyra 12+6reb+4ast, B.Cardoso 11+11reb+4ast, S.Neto 9+4reb, G.Landeira 9+2reb+1ast
Botafogo: D.Machado 19+7reb, M.Brito 11+2reb+1ast, T.Mathias 9+1reb+1ast, A.Alcassa 6+2reb+3ast, F.Thomas 6+7reb+3ast, M.Oliveira 5+3reb

Flamengo - Sao Paulo 105-86

There was no surprise in Rio de Janeiro where 14th ranked Sao Paulo (11-20) was outplayed by second ranked Flamengo (23-7) 105-86 on Thursday. Flamengo made 20-of-21 free shots (95.2 percent) during the game. The former international point guard Alexey Borges (185-1995) fired 21 points and 7 assists for the winners. American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) chipped in 19 points (made all of his eight free throws). Four Flamengo players scored in double figures. The former international point guard Ricardo Fischer (185-1991) produced 12 points and 6 assists and center Ralfi Ansaloni (209-1987) added 15 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. The victory was the third consecutive win for Flamengo. They maintain second place with 23-7 record having just three points less than leader Minas. Sao Paulo lost their sixth game in a row. They keep the fourteenth position with 20 games lost. Flamengo will meet at home Paulistano (#12) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sao Paulo will play against Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Flamengo: A.Borges 21+4reb+7ast, J.Williams 19+1reb+2ast, G.Pereira 17+1reb+2ast, S.Johnson 15+4reb+1ast, F.Balbi 8+3reb+5ast, L.Siewert 7+8reb+1ast
Sao Paulo: R.Ansaloni 15+4reb, R.Fischer 12+2reb+6ast, M.Santos 11+1reb, C.Bennett 10+1reb+4ast, M.Miller 8+2reb+1ast, P.Da Costa 8+4reb+3ast