NBB Round 39 (Regular Season): Flamengo defeat Brasilia in the game between Top 4 teams

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

An interesting game for Flamengo (25-7) which played road game in Brasilia against 4th placed Brasilia (19-13). Second ranked Flamengo managed to get a 9-point victory 88-79. Flamengo dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Brasilia's 26. It was a good game for the former international power forward Ruan Miranda (207-2001) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international point guard Alexey Borges (185-1995) contributed with 11 points and 7 assists for the winners. American guard Anton Cook (189-1995, college: SE Oklahoma) answered with 23 points for Brasilia. Brasilia's coach Dede Barbosa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Flamengo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 25-7 record having just three points less than leader Minas. Brasilia lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 13 games lost. Flamengo are looking forward to face Bauru (#5) on the road in the next round. Brasilia will have a break next round.
NBB top team - Minas (28-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventeenth ranked Botafogo (9-23) in Belo Horizonte 97-59. It was a great evening for forward Winicius Braga (204-2005) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds. Lucas Rodriguez helped adding 10 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. The best for the losing side was center Thiago Mathias (208-1989, college: N.Mexico JC) with 16 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Minas. They maintain first place with 28-4 record. Newly promoted Botafogo keeps the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. Minas will play against Sao Paulo (#15) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Botafogo will play against Sesi/Franca in Sao Paulo and hopes to get back on the winning track.
A very close game took place in Santa Cruz do Sul between U.Corinthians and Sao Jose. Seventh ranked U.Corinthians (17-14) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Sao Jose (16-16). U.Corinthians managed to escape with a 1-point win 77-76 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sao Jose. It was an exceptional evening for Duane Johnson who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. Douglas Silva came up with 25 points and 9 rebounds for Sao Jose in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. U.Corinthians maintains seventh place with 17-14 record. Sao Jose at the other side keeps the ninth position with 16 games lost. U.Corinthians will meet at home Mogi (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sao Jose will play against Caxias do Sul (#14) and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 39: Mogi was beaten by Caxias do Sul on the road 82-75. Bottom-ranked Cearense lost to Pinheiros on its own court 73-82. Corinthians managed to outperform UniFacisa in Sao Paulo 83-74. Sesi/Franca rolled over Vasco da Gama at home 91-66.
The most impressive performance of 39th round was 16 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists by Georginho de Paula of Sesi/Franca.



Brasilia - Flamengo 79-88

An interesting game for Flamengo (25-7) which played road game in Brasilia against 4th placed Brasilia (19-13). Second ranked Flamengo managed to get a 9-point victory 88-79. Flamengo dominated down low during the game scoring 48 of its points in the paint compared to Brasilia's 26. It was a good game for the former international power forward Ruan Miranda (207-2001) who led his team to a victory with 17 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international point guard Alexey Borges (185-1995) contributed with 11 points and 7 assists for the winners. Four Flamengo players scored in double figures. American guard Anton Cook (189-1995, college: SE Oklahoma) answered with 23 points and guard Daniel Von Haydin (195-1999) added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Brasilia. Brasilia's coach Dede Barbosa rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Flamengo have an impressive series of five victories in a row. They maintain second place with 25-7 record having just three points less than leader Minas. Brasilia lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourth position with 13 games lost. Flamengo are looking forward to face Bauru (#5) on the road in the next round. Brasilia will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Flamengo: R.Miranda 17+8reb+2ast, F.Balbi 17+3reb, S.Johnson 13+3reb+3ast, J.dos Santos 12+3reb+1ast, A.Borges 11+3reb+7ast, G.Pereira 9+5reb+3ast
Brasilia: A.Cook 23+2reb+3ast, D.Nesbitt 15+4reb, D.Von Haydin 10+6reb+5ast, G.Sacco 9+2ast, M.Silva 8+3reb+1ast, P.Mendonca 5+2reb+1ast

Minas - Botafogo 97-59

NBB top team - Minas (28-4) had no problems winning another game. This time they crushed seventeenth ranked Botafogo (9-23) in Belo Horizonte 97-59. Minas made 17-of-19 charity shots (89.5 percent) during the game. Minas had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. They shot the lights out from three nailing 18 long-distance shots on high 56.3 percentage. It was a great evening for forward Winicius Braga (204-2005) who led his team to a victory scoring 17 points and 8 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Uruguayan point guard Lucas Rodriguez (185-2007) helped adding 10 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists. Four Minas players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was center Thiago Mathias (208-1989, college: N.Mexico JC) with 16 points (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) and point guard Matheusinho Brito (183-2000) scored 8 points and 4 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the tenth consecutive win for Minas. They maintain first place with 28-4 record. Newly promoted Botafogo keeps the seventeenth position with 23 games lost. Minas will play against Sao Paulo (#15) on the road in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Botafogo will play against Sesi/Franca in Sao Paulo and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Minas: J.Arengo 18+2reb+1ast, W.Braga 17+8reb+1ast, S.Machado 11+1reb, R.Mineiro 11+8reb+1ast, F.Fernandes 10+2reb, L.Rodriguez 10+5reb+10ast
Botafogo: T.Mathias 16+3reb, F.Queiros 10, F.Thomas 9+3reb+2ast, M.Brito 8+4reb+4ast, A.Pecos 5+2reb+4ast, D.Machado 4+6reb

U.Corinthians - Sao Jose 77-76

A very close game took place in Santa Cruz do Sul between U.Corinthians and Sao Jose. Seventh ranked U.Corinthians (17-14) got a very close home victory over 9th ranked Sao Jose (16-16). U.Corinthians managed to escape with a 1-point win 77-76 on Wednesday evening. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Sao Jose. They outrebounded Sao Jose 55-44 including a 43-32 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was an exceptional evening for American forward Duane Johnson (204-1991, college: ESU) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international center Dikembe Andre (206-1999) accounted for 13 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Four U.Corinthians players scored in double figures. Douglas Silva (202-1998) came up with 25 points and 9 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and Argentinian guard Franco Vieta (194-1992) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively for Sao Jose in the defeat. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. U.Corinthians maintains seventh place with 17-14 record. Sao Jose at the other side keeps the ninth position with 16 games lost. U.Corinthians will meet at home Mogi (#16) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Sao Jose will play against Caxias do Sul (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
U.Corinthians: J.Machuca 15+2reb+1ast, J.Dos Anjos 13+6reb, D.Johnson 13+15reb+4ast, D.Andre 13+11reb+2ast, R.Lanaras 9+11reb+1ast, V.Lersch 5+3reb+4ast
Sao Jose: D.Silva 25+9reb+2ast, F.Vieta 15+3reb+4ast, A.Borges 8+7reb+3ast, F.Ruivo 8+1reb+4ast, V.Leal 5+7reb+2ast, M.Fernandez 5+2reb+2ast

Caxias do Sul - Mogi 82-75

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fifteenth ranked Caxias do Sul's (11-20) home victory over 16th ranked Mogi (10-22) 82-75 on Wednesday. Caxias do Sul outrebounded Mogi 42-31 including 17 on the offensive glass. It was an exceptional evening for Vinicius Chagas (204-2001) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 12 rebounds. The former international Betinho Nardi (195-1988) accounted for 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Point guard Guilherme Lessa (179-1995) came up with 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and Lucas Segantini (190-2005) added 12 points and 7 rebounds respectively for Mogi in the defeat. Five Caxias do Sul and four Mogi players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Caxias do Sul moved-up to fourteenth place. Loser Mogi keeps the sixteenth position with 22 games lost. Caxias do Sul will meet at home higher ranked Sao Jose (#9) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Mogi will play against U.Corinthians (#7) in Santa Cruz do Sul and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Caxias do Sul: V.Chagas 16+12reb, B.Nardi 16+6reb+2ast, S.Stallworth 13+5reb+1ast, F.Ruiz 12+4reb+6ast, I.Goncalves 12+4reb+2ast, L.Cravero 8+5reb+3ast
Mogi: R.Mencarini 17+2reb+1ast, G.Campos 13+4reb+3ast, L.Segantini 12+7reb+3ast, G.Lessa 11+5reb+7ast, F.Gregate 9+4reb+6ast, I.Mendes 4+3reb

Cearense - Pinheiros 73-82

Very expected game when 18th ranked Fortaleza (9-24) lost at home to eighth ranked Pinheiros (17-15) 82-73 on Thursday. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) who led the winners and scored 17 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Reynan Dos Santos (192-2004) accounted for 10 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Five Pinheiros players scored in double figures. Pinheiros' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American swingman Dexter McClanahan (193-1997, college: Nicholls) came up with 25 points and the former international power forward Renan Lenz (207-1990, college: Utah) added 20 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Cearense in the defeat. Pinheiros maintains eighth place with 17-15 record. Loser Fortaleza stay at the bottom position with 24 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Pinheiros: D.Sloan 17+8reb+6ast, Y.Djalo Barbosa 14+5reb+1ast, A.Samoel 11+5reb, R.Dos Santos 10+8reb+3ast, J.Oliveira 10+2reb+1ast, P.Pastre 6+1reb+1ast
Cearense: D.McClanahan 25+2reb+1ast, R.Lenz 20+6reb+1ast, A.Barbosa 15+7reb+3ast, S.Orresta 5+6reb+5ast, J.Demetrio 4+1reb, G.Fernandes 2+1reb+2ast

UniFacisa - Corinthians 74-83

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams when eleventh ranked Corinthians (15-17) won against 10th ranked UNIFACISA (16-17) in Paraiba 83-74 on Thursday. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Elio Corazza (195-1989, college: Miami Dade CC) who led the winners and scored 8 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 5 steals. The former international forward Rafael Munford (195-1998, college: Augusta) accounted for 18 points for the winning side. Power forward Rafael Rachel (205-2000) came up with 13 points and 7 rebounds and Argentinian Matias Solanas (193-1998) added 14 points and 5 assists respectively for UniFacisa in the defeat. Four Corinthians and five UniFacisa players scored in double figures. Corinthians maintains eleventh place with 15-17 record. Loser UNIFACISA keeps the tenth position with 17 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Corinthians: M.Johnson 20+1reb+2ast, R.Munford 18+4reb+1ast, V.Camilo 12+3reb+1ast, K.Raymundo 12+2reb, E.Corazza 8+7reb+9ast, L.Caue 6+5reb+1ast
UniFacisa: T.Gaskins 15+4reb+2ast, M.Solanas 14+3reb+5ast, R.Rachel 13+7reb+2ast, A.Leao 11+3reb+2ast, C.Alaekwe 10+1reb+1ast, G.Santo 6+2reb+1ast

Sesi/Franca - Vasco da Gama 91-66

Not a big story in a game when 6th ranked Vasco da Gama (18-15) was outscored by third ranked Vivo/Franca (23-9) in Sao Paulo 91-66 on Thursday. Sesi/Franca forced 20 Vasco da Gama turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. It was an exceptional evening for the former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) who led the winners and scored 16 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. The former international Wesley Ferreira (201-1995) accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds for the winning side. Five Vivo/Franca players scored in double figures. Vivo/Franca's coach Helinho Garcia felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rafael Paulichi (202-1998) came up with 13 points and 9 rebounds and guard Matheus Eugeniusz (193-2000) added 14 points and 4 assists respectively for Vasco da Gama in the defeat. The victory was the twelfth consecutive win for Vivo/Franca. Sesi/Franca maintains third place with 23-9 record having five points less than leader Minas. Newly promoted Vasco da Gama keeps the sixth position with 15 games lost. Sesi/Franca will meet at home Botafogo (#17) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Vasco da Gama will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: W.Ferreira 17+6reb+1ast, D.Louzada 16+3reb+2ast, G.de Paula 16+7reb+9ast, D.Jackson 11+3reb+4ast, L.Dias 11+4reb+2ast, F.Corvalan 11+4reb+2ast
Vasco da Gama: P.Scheuer 14+2reb, M.Eugeniusz 14+1reb+4ast, R.Paulichi 13+9reb+1ast, E.Carvalho 9+5reb, J.Fortunato 7+2reb, M.Vinicius 7+3reb+8ast