NBB Round 40 (Regular Season): Flamengo defeats leader Pinheiros

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.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Pinheiros (26-6) in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Flamengo (23-6) 80-75. It ended at the same time the 73-game winning streak of Pinheiros. Flamengo made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Pinheiros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 7 assists. Argentinian forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) contributed with 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) replied with 14 points and 5 assists for Pinheiros. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Flamengo maintains third position with 23-6 record having 3 victories less than leader Pinheiros. Pinheiros at the other side still keeps top place with six games lost. Flamengo are looking forward to face Osasco (#19) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Pinheiros will play against Vasco (#20) in Rio de Janeiro and is hoping to win this game.
Fourteenth-ranked Cruzeiro (11-21) used its home court advantage to challenge eleventh ranked U.Corinthians (17-14). The visitors from Santa Cruz do Sul managed to secure only one-point victory 67-66. However their fans expected easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds and Jeremy Hollowell who added 13 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side center Ralfi Ansaloni (209-1987) responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Cruzeiro's coach Thiago Perez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. U.Corinthians moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mogi. Cruzeiro lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 21 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
The game between second ranked Vivo/Franca (24-6) and 12th ranked UNIFACISA (16-15) in Sao Paulo on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Vivo/Franca outscored guests from Paraiba 114-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of UNIFACISA. The winners were led by Georginho de Paula who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists. Even 22 points (made all of his eight free throws) by Melvin Johnson did not help to save the game for UniFacisa. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sesi/Franca maintains second position with 24-6 record having 2 victories less than leader Pinheiros. Loser UNIFACISA keeps the twelfth place with 15 games lost. Sesi/Franca will meet at home Cearense (#18) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. UniFacisa will play against Bauru (#8) and hope to secure a win.

Other games in round 40 were not that significant. Sao Jose beat Pato on the road 81-72. Minas won against Caxias do Sul on its own court 81-75. Cearense unfortunately lost to Paulistano in Sao Paulo 77-91.



Pato - Sao Jose 72-81

No shocking result in a game when ninth ranked Sao Jose (19-13) beat 16th ranked Pato (7-24) in Pato Branco 81-72 on Wednesday. Sao Jose made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. The winners were led by the former international guard Adyel Borges (190-2002) who scored that evening 31 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals and Douglas Silva (202-1998) supported him with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Even 7 points and 11 rebounds by power forward Edu Elevi (207-2001) did not help to save the game for Pato. Danilo Penteado (199-1999) added 12 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Sao Jose moved-up to eighth place, which they share with Bauru. Pato lost fifth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 24 games lost. They share it with Botafogo. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Sao Jose: B.Adyel 31+7reb+5ast, M.Malcolm 16+5reb, S.Douglas 13+9reb+3ast, L.Guilherme 9+3reb+2ast, A.Rodrigues 8+5reb, L.Cravero 4+5reb+1ast
Pato: B.Grigor 12+6reb+2ast, P.Danilo 12+6reb+2ast, J.Fidelis 11+5reb+2ast, Q.Caua 8+1reb+2ast, D.Souza Michel 8+1reb+2ast, E.Edu 7+11reb+2ast

Flamengo - Pinheiros 80-75

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of top-ranked Pinheiros (26-6) in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday night. Visitors were defeated by third ranked Flamengo (23-6) 80-75. It ended at the same time the 73-game winning streak of Pinheiros. Flamengo made 23-of-27 free shots (85.2 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Pinheiros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) who helped to win the game recording 23 points and 7 assists. Argentinian forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) contributed with 22 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. American point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) replied with 14 points and 5 assists and international guard Pedro Pastre (197-2007) added 7 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Pinheiros. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Flamengo maintains third position with 23-6 record having 3 victories less than leader Pinheiros. Pinheiros at the other side still keeps top place with six games lost. Flamengo are looking forward to face Osasco (#19) at home in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Pinheiros will play against Vasco (#20) in Rio de Janeiro and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Flamengo: J.Shaquille 23+4reb+7ast, A.Negrete 22+5reb+1ast, D.Guilherme 16+3reb+2ast, F.Emanuel 8+7reb+1ast, F.Wesley 6+4reb, M.Gueiros 2+2ast
Pinheiros: D.Sloan 14+3reb+5ast, B.Yan Djalo 12+2reb+1ast, D.Souza Caua 11+3reb, A.Samoel 8+7reb, S.Eduardo 7+1reb, P.Pedro 7+7reb+3ast

Minas - Caxias do Sul 81-75

Very expected game when 13th ranked Caxias do Sul (14-18) lost to fourth ranked Minas (23-7) in Belo Horizonte 75-81 on Thursday. However just six-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Minas looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. The winners were led by American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) who scored that evening 20 points and international forward Winicius Braga (204-2005) supported him with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. Minas' coach Leonardo Costa used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Even 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists by guard Felipe Vezaro (192-1992, college: TAMIU) did not help to save the game for Caxias do Sul. Rafa Oliveira (198-1993) added 10 points and 8 rebounds for lost side. Four Caxias do Sul players scored in double figures. Minas maintains fourth position with 23-7 record. Loser Caxias do Sul keeps the thirteenth place with 18 games lost. Minas will meet Osasco (#19) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Caxias do Sul will play against Botafogo (#17) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Minas: W.Jordan 20+4reb+3ast, R.Rachel 18+4reb+1ast, B.Winicius 15+8reb+4ast, Y.Neptune 8+3reb, F.Tim 7+2reb+9ast, A.Paranhos 6+2reb
Caxias do Sul: F.Vezaro 17+6reb+6ast, O.William 15+2reb+4ast, R.Fabrizzio 15+2reb+3ast, O.Rafa 10+8reb+3ast, H.Silva 8+8reb+4ast, S.Tiago 7+2reb+2ast

Sesi/Franca - UniFacisa 114-95

The game between second ranked Vivo/Franca (24-6) and 12th ranked UNIFACISA (16-15) in Sao Paulo on Thursday ended with biggest points difference. Vivo/Franca outscored guests from Paraiba 114-95. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of UNIFACISA. Sesi/Franca shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 51.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 32 assists comparing to just 15 passes made by UniFacisa's players. The winners were led by the former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 22 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and international center Lucas Dias (207-1995) supported him with 31 points and 4 assists. Five Vivo/Franca players scored in double figures. Even 22 points (made all of his eight free throws) by American guard Melvin Johnson (193-1993, college: VCU) did not help to save the game for UniFacisa. Venezuelan guard Yohanner Sifontes (192-1995) added 16 points and 6 rebounds for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sesi/Franca maintains second position with 24-6 record having 2 victories less than leader Pinheiros. Loser UNIFACISA keeps the twelfth place with 15 games lost. Sesi/Franca will meet at home Cearense (#18) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. UniFacisa will play against Bauru (#8) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: D.Lucas 31+3reb+4ast, d.Georginho 22+6reb+10ast, L.Rodriguez 21+11reb+2ast, J.David 16+1reb+2ast, B.Paulo 13+2reb+2ast, R.Mineiro 6+2reb
UniFacisa: M.Johnson 22+1reb+2ast, K.Anthony 16+4ast, Y.Sifontes 16+6reb+2ast, P.Carr 10+2reb, L.Victor 8+9reb+1ast, J.Oliveira 7+5reb+3ast

Paulistano - Cearense 91-77

Very predictable result when ninth ranked Paulistano (19-12) won against 18th ranked Fortaleza (6-27) in Sao Paulo 91-77 on Thursday. The winners were led by the former international Guilherme Abreu (200-1999) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 25 points and 10 rebounds and guard Vitor Silva (188-2004) supported him with 19 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Even 22 points and 5 assists by American point guard Michael Dupree (185-1995, college: Northwest) did not help to save the game for Cearense. Forward Bernardo Da Silva (206-2000, college: Hawaii) added 11 points and 8 rebounds 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. Paulistano moved-up to seventh place. Cearense lost twenty seventh consecutive game. They keep the eighteenth position with 27 games lost. Paulistano will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cearense will play against the league's second-placed Sesi/Franca (#2) having rather not much hope for a victory.
Top scorers:
Paulistano: A.Guilherme 25+10reb+2ast, V.Silva 19+2reb+3ast, K.Hunter 16+1reb+3ast, S.Lucas 11+10reb, E.Seixas 5+1reb+1ast, I.Leandro 4+4reb+1ast
Cearense: M.Dupree 22+3reb+5ast, B.Da Silva 11+8reb+1ast, R.Rafael 10+9reb, A.Popovic 10+4reb+2ast, F.Gabriel 8+2reb+2ast, F.Salsamendi 8+3reb+3ast

Cruzeiro - U.Corinthians 66-67

Fourteenth-ranked Cruzeiro (11-21) used its home court advantage to challenge eleventh ranked U.Corinthians (17-14). The visitors from Santa Cruz do Sul managed to secure only one-point victory 67-66. However their fans expected easier game. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points and 13 rebounds and the other American import Jeremy Hollowell (203-1994, college: Georgia St., agency: BIG) who added 13 points and 12 rebounds during the contest. Four U.Corinthians players scored in double figures. At the losing side center Ralfi Ansaloni (209-1987) responded with 17 points and 9 rebounds and American point guard Gerald Gittens Jr (183-2002, college: NMU) scored 10 points and 5 assists. Cruzeiro's coach Thiago Perez rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. U.Corinthians moved-up to tenth place, which they share with Mogi. Cruzeiro lost third consecutive game. They keep the fourteenth position with 21 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
U.Corinthians: S.Devon 18+13reb+2ast, B.Nate 16+2reb+6ast, H.Jeremy 13+12reb+3ast, F.Verissimo 13+5reb, C.Juan 4+7reb, H.Rafael 3+1reb
Cruzeiro: R.Ansaloni 17+9reb, W.Sena 13+2reb, G.Gittens Jr. 10+4reb+5ast, D.Coleman 9+3reb, C.Yosani 8+2reb+2ast, I.Thornton 7+2reb+1ast