NBB Round 45 (Regular Season): Pinheiros lose to Corinthians

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.

Round 45 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Pinheiros (29-7). They were defeated by sixth ranked Corinthians (25-10) 74-69 on Saturday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Pinheiros. Corinthians made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. 29 personal fouls committed by Pinheiros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international point guard Elio Corazza (195-1989, college: Miami Dade CC) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners and American guard Davaunta Thomas (196-1995, college: UAFS) chipped in 26 points. The best for the losing side was center Agapy Samoel (205-2003) with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds. Pinheiros' coach Gustavo Conti tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Corinthians have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Flamengo. Pinheiros at the other side dropped to the second position with seven games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Sesi/Franca. Pinheiros will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Corinthians will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Paulistano. It will be extra interesting game as Paulistano is their local rival from Sao Paulo.
The game in Bauru was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Vivo/Franca (29-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Paschoalotto/Bauru (21-15). Vivo/Franca managed to secure a 4-point victory 91-87. The former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) for the winning side and Lucas Dias accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds. American point guard Dontrell Brite (175-1994, college: Mount Olive) came up with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for Bauru in the defeat. Paschoalotto/Bauru's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Vivo/Franca have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Sesi/Franca keeps a position of league leader. Bauru at the other side keeps the eighth place with 15 games lost. Sesi/Franca will play against Pato (#17) in Pato Branco in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Bauru will have a break next round.
The game in Rio de Janeiro was also quite interesting. Third ranked Minas (27-8) played at the court of 5th ranked Flamengo (25-10). Minas managed to secure a 7-point victory 93-86 on Monday. The best player for the winners was Tim Frazier who scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was Alex Negrete who recorded 24 points and 8 rebounds. Flamengo's coach Sergio Hernandez gave the chance to play for eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Minas. They maintain third place with 27-8 record having just two points less than leader Sesi/Franca. Flamengo lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with ten games lost. They share it with Corinthians. Minas will meet Botafogo (#16) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Flamengo will play against Cruzeiro (#14) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 45: U.Corinthians lost to Cearense on the opponent's court 93-94. Vasco was outscored by Minas in a home game 88-109. Caxias do Sul rolled over Cearense on the road 107-83. Pato was defeated by Rio Claro on its own court 70-78. Cruzeiro was beaten by Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro 80-70.
The most impressive stats of the last round was 19 points, 8 assists and 5 steals by Scott Machado of Botafogo.



Corinthians - Pinheiros 74-69

Round 45 most important game was a defeat of league's leader Pinheiros (29-7). They were defeated by sixth ranked Corinthians (25-10) 74-69 on Saturday night. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Pinheiros. Corinthians made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. 29 personal fouls committed by Pinheiros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international point guard Elio Corazza (195-1989, college: Miami Dade CC) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists for the winners and American guard Davaunta Thomas (196-1995, college: UAFS) chipped in 26 points. Thomas is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. The best for the losing side was center Agapy Samoel (205-2003) with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 14 rebounds and American point guard David Sloan (183-1999, college: ETSU) scored 17 points and 8 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Pinheiros' coach Gustavo Conti tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Corinthians have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Flamengo. Pinheiros at the other side dropped to the second position with seven games lost. They were replaced at the leadership position by Sesi/Franca. Pinheiros will have a break next week, which should allow them to rest and make it back to the top of the standings. Corinthians will try to continue on its current victory against seventh ranked Paulistano. It will be extra interesting game as Paulistano is their local rival from Sao Paulo.
Top scorers:
Corinthians: T.Davaunta 26+1reb+1ast, C.Elio 13+7reb+10ast, M.Rafael 13+7reb+2ast, K.Raymundo 10+7reb, C.Elyjah 9+8reb+3ast, C.Lucas 3+8reb
Pinheiros: D.Sloan 17+2reb+8ast, A.Samoel 15+14reb+1ast, D.Souza Caua 10+5reb+2ast, B.Nardi 10+1reb+1ast, B.Felipe 6+2reb, B.Yan Djalo 6+14reb+1ast

Cearense - U.Corinthians 94-93

There was an upset when higher ranked U.Corinthians (18-17) was edged on the road by eighteenth ranked Fortaleza (7-29) 94-93 on Saturday. The best player for the winners was forward Bernardo Da Silva (206-2000, college: Hawaii) who scored 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Guard Gabriel Fernandes (196-1997) chipped in 24 points and 5 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was American power forward Devon Scott (205-1994, college: Dayton) who recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and 12 rebounds and the other American import point guard Nate Barnes (181-1990, college: ABU) added 23 points and 5 assists respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Cearense maintains eighteenth place with 7-29 record. Loser U.Corinthians keeps the eleventh position with 17 games lost. They share it with UniFacisa. Cearense will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. U.Corinthians will play against UniFacisa (#11) in Paraiba and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Cearense: G.Fernandes 24+5reb+2ast, D.Bernardo 20+9reb+7ast, D.Michael 16+1reb+4ast, A.Costa 16+3reb+1ast, R.Rodrigues 9+2reb, P.Aleksa 6+9reb+1ast
U.Corinthians: D.Scott 25+12reb+1ast, N.Barnes 23+2reb+5ast, J.Cardenas 18+8reb+3ast, V.Fabricio 12+4reb+2ast, R.Hettsheimeir 7+1reb, O.Jonatan 6+5reb+1ast

Vasco - Minas 88-109

Very predictable result in Rio de Janeiro where third ranked Minas (27-8) smashed 19th ranked Vasco (5-30) 109-88 on Saturday. Minas looked well-organized offensively handing out 33 assists comparing to just 20 passes made by Vasco's players. The best player for the winners was American swingman Jordan Williams (196-1992, college: N.Texas) who scored 24 points. Forward Alexandre Paranhos (204-1992) chipped in 20 points and 4 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was naturalized Italian forward Magna Silva (202-1998) who recorded 16 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) and point guard Alexsander Vernizz (184-2000) added 16 points and 4 assists respectively. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. 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 third consecutive win for Minas. They maintain third place with 27-8 record having just two points less than leader Sesi/Franca. Loser Vasco keeps the nineteenth position with 30 games lost. Minas will meet Botafogo (#16) in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Vasco will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Minas: W.Jordan 24+3reb+1ast, A.Paranhos 20+3reb+4ast, M.Erik 13+4reb+1ast, J.Arengo 11+3reb+1ast, Y.Neptune 10+4reb+3ast, R.Rachel 10+8reb+3ast
Vasco: V.Alexsander 16+1reb+4ast, M.Silva 16+6reb+1ast, L.Morgan 14+4reb+2ast, T.Mathias 12+6reb, P.Nunes 10+5reb+3ast, O.Elias 7+5reb+1ast

Bauru - Sesi/Franca 87-91

The game in Bauru was also worth to mention about. Second ranked Vivo/Franca (29-6) played at the court of 8th ranked Paschoalotto/Bauru (21-15). Vivo/Franca managed to secure a 4-point victory 91-87. Sesi/Franca made 23-of-25 charity shots (92.0 percent) during the game. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Bauru was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. The former international point guard Georginho de Paula (197-1996) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 assists (went 9 for 9 at the free throw line !!!) for the winning side and international center Lucas Dias (207-1995) accounted for 17 points and 6 rebounds. American point guard Dontrell Brite (175-1994, college: Mount Olive) came up with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the former international center Andrezao Barbosa de Abreu (213-2002) added 20 points and 11 rebounds respectively for Bauru in the defeat. Five Sesi/Franca and four Bauru players scored in double figures. Paschoalotto/Bauru's coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Vivo/Franca have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Sesi/Franca keeps a position of league leader. Bauru at the other side keeps the eighth place with 15 games lost. Sesi/Franca will play against Pato (#17) in Pato Branco in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Bauru will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Sesi/Franca: D.Lucas 17+6reb+2ast, d.Georginho 16+3reb+10ast, L.Rodriguez 14+5reb, C.Bennett 13+6reb+2ast, J.David 11+7reb+4ast, R.Mineiro 9+7reb+1ast
Bauru: B.Dontrell 22+5reb+6ast, E.Matheus 22+6reb+5ast, B.de Abreu Andrezao 20+11reb+2ast, A.Garcia 14+3reb+8ast, J.Materan 6+2reb+3ast, G.Gustavo 3+2reb+1ast

Cearense - Caxias do Sul 83-107

Not a big story in a game when 18th ranked Fortaleza (7-29) was rolled over at home by thirteenth ranked Caxias do Sul (16-19) 107-83 on Monday. Caxias do Sul shot the lights out from three sinking 19 long-distance shots on high 59.4 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. The best player for the winners was naturalized American swingman Shamell Stallworth (195-1980, college: USF) who scored 23 points. Guard Felipe Vezaro (192-1992, college: TAMIU) chipped in 14 points and 5 assists. Caxias do Sul's coach Rodrigo Barbosa felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Bernardo Da Silva (206-2000, college: Hawaii) who recorded 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Gabriel Fernandes (196-1997) added 21 points respectively. Caxias do Sul maintains thirteenth place with 16-19 record. Loser Fortaleza keeps the eighteenth position with 29 games lost. Caxias do Sul will meet higher ranked UniFacisa (#11) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cearense will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Caxias do Sul: S.Shamell 23+4reb+3ast, T.Schiavetto 18+1reb+1ast, V.Felipe 14+1reb+5ast, F.Ruiz 13+1ast, R.Oliveira 9+2reb, S.Humberto 7+5reb+1ast
Cearense: F.Gabriel 21+1reb+2ast, B.Da Silva 19+7reb+4ast, M.Dupree 17+4reb+2ast, R.Rafael 10, A.Samuel 8+12reb, C.Augusto 6+1reb+4ast

Pato - Rio Claro 70-78

Everything went according to plan in Pato Branco where fifteenth ranked Rio Claro (11-24) beat 17th ranked Pato (7-27) 78-70 on Monday. Rio Claro made 22-of-29 free shots (75.9 percent) during the game. The best player for the winners was American guard Stan Scott (193-1998, college: MSSU) who scored 19 points. His fellow American import power forward DeMarco Owens (203-1996, college: Montevallo) chipped in a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds. Owens is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the other side the best for losing team was center Joao Fidelis (205-2001) who recorded 14 points and 9 rebounds and guard Michel De Souza (189-1997) added 14 points and 6 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Rio Claro maintains fifteenth place with 11-24 record. Pato lost their eighth game in a row. They keep the seventeenth position with 27 games lost. Rio Claro will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Pato will play against the league's leader Sesi/Franca (#1) where they are definitely not considered as a favorite in this game either.
Top scorers:
Rio Claro: S.Stan 19+3reb+2ast, G.Sacco 18+2reb+1ast, O.De'Marco 11+11reb+1ast, G.Santos 9+6reb+1ast, N.Vitor 9+5reb+1ast, A.Costa 5+1reb+1ast
Pato: D.Souza Michel 14+6reb+2ast, J.Fidelis 14+9reb+1ast, N.Lucas 11+4reb+6ast, B.Grigor 7+3reb+1ast, Q.Caua 7+1reb+1ast, P.Danilo 6+6reb+1ast

Flamengo - Minas 86-93

The game in Rio de Janeiro was also quite interesting. Third ranked Minas (27-8) played at the court of 5th ranked Flamengo (25-10). Minas managed to secure a 7-point victory 93-86 on Monday. Minas outrebounded Flamengo 43-32 including 32 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was American point guard Tim Frazier (185-1990, college: Penn State) who scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. The former international point guard Ricardo Fischer (185-1991) chipped in 15 points and 8 assists. Five Minas players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was Argentinian forward Alex Negrete (192-2001) who recorded 24 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Shaquille Johnson (191-1990, college: Marshall) added 18 points respectively. Flamengo's coach Sergio Hernandez gave the chance to play for eleven players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Minas. They maintain third place with 27-8 record having just two points less than leader Sesi/Franca. Flamengo lost their fourth game in a row. They keep the fifth position with ten games lost. They share it with Corinthians. Minas will meet Botafogo (#16) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Flamengo will play against Cruzeiro (#14) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Minas: J.Arengo 16+4reb+2ast, F.Ricardo 15+2reb+8ast, A.Paranhos 13+7reb, F.Tim 13+5reb+7ast, M.Erik 12+4reb, R.Rachel 10+6reb+1ast
Flamengo: N.Alex 24+8reb+2ast, F.Baralle 19+3ast, S.Johnson 18+4reb+3ast, M.Cummings 7+2reb+4ast, W.Ferreira 6+4reb+2ast, A.Igor 5

Botafogo - Cruzeiro 80-70

There was a minor upset in Rio de Janeiro where 14th ranked Cruzeiro (11-23) was defeated by sixteenth ranked Botafogo (10-25) 80-70 on Monday. Botafogo forced 22 Cruzeiro turnovers. The best player for the winners was the former international guard Scott Machado (185-1990, college: Iona) who scored 19 points, 8 assists and 5 steals. Forward Emanuel Matias (202-1999) chipped in 15 points and 6 rebounds. Five Botafogo players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was the former international forward Tulio Da Silva (203-1996, college: Missouri St.) who recorded 16 points and 7 rebounds and Jamison Costa (198-2000) added 8 points and 11 rebounds respectively. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Botafogo maintains sixteenth place with 10-25 record. Cruzeiro lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the fourteenth position with 23 games lost. Botafogo will meet at home higher ranked Minas (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Cruzeiro will play against Flamengo (#5) in Rio de Janeiro and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Botafogo: M.Scott 19+3reb+8ast, M.Brito 15+3reb+3ast, E.Matias 15+6reb+1ast, P.Scheuer 13+5reb+3ast, D.Machado 12+7reb+1ast, F.Nunes 3+1ast
Cruzeiro: T.Da Silva 16+7reb+1ast, W.Sena 12+4reb, D.Coleman 10+4reb, C.Jamison 8+11reb+2ast, R.Ansaloni 8+4reb, I.Thornton 7+3reb+1ast