13 days after moving into the Leonardo Royal Hotel and after a rather mediocre group phase forcing an intense scrutiny of all things Basketball, the games now really matter. In the play-off quarter-final of the BBL Final tournament, the defending champion will meet the formidable runners-up of the regular season, the Giants from Ludwigsburg, in the Munich Audi Dome. While he FCBB enter the knockout round as the third-place team in group A due to their avoidable loss in the group final against Oldenburg (89-81), Ludwigsburg took second place in the other half of the tournament due to the 97-89 loss in the top game against Berlin.
The playoffs will be played in the old EuroCup mode of best-of-two (last valid in the Bundesliga 37 years ago), i.e.: The results of both games will be added up, meaning that in the first game a draw is theoretically possible and only in the second game would there be an overtime. The game starts on Wednesday at 20:30. MagentaSport broadcasts starting at 20:15.
"We've got a good vibe in the team, we just need to translate it to the court more"
Instead of the usual logo of their main sponsor BayWa, the Bavarians will wear the #BaySammen logo on their jerseys in the quarter finals as a symbol of solidarity. Both playoff games will also be shown again at the drive-in cinema of the "Audi Urban Cinema" at the Munich Airport. Tickets are only available online in advance via fcb-basketball.de.
"The mode is a new experience for everyone and I don't think that it's an advantage for anyone or that anyone is favored," said Bayern coach Oliver Kostic. "We know how important every single second is and how important every single action over the full 40 minutes is. Ludwigsburg's game is simple and clear, with fast transition, lots of one-on-one and very aggressive play on the boards. Every single one of us has to take responsibility now, but the decisive factor will be the commitment of the entire team."
Without question, Kostics Team will encounter an opponent that is at least on-par with them. After three victories, over Vechta (81-76), Frankfurt (80-77) and Bamberg (107-74), the MHP Giants fought for the group first-place in a classic duel with the title contender, Berlin on Monday evening. Up to 78-78 (34.) the game went back and forth, before Ludwigsburg's top scorer Thomas Wimbush (30) lost a bit of his touch. The strong power forward is filling the gap for the absent top scorer Khadeen Carrington (17.2 ppg), who is absent along with Tanner Leissner. His average for the Final10 is 18 points. They are followed by guard colleagues Nick Weiler-Babb (15 ppg), Marcos Knight (14) and Jaleen Smith (12). Additional players added for the tournament were Zamal Nixon (Heidelberg) and Teyvon Myers (Giessen).
Captain Danilo Barthel says: "We need to play against them in a more concentrated manner for 40 minutes, have more focus as a team - especially on defense - and we need to match Ludwigsburg's energy. We have a good atmosphere in the team, we just have to bring it more to the court. You can't afford a period of weakness in these two games."
The one-on-one defense is a key against athletic guards
Bayern will only prevail if they improve their one-on-one defense: The athletic opponent is betting on this partof their game, which is also proven by the lowest assist number of all ten teams (13.8 Apg; FCBB: 21.8). Coach John Patrick's team, on the other hand, has the fewest turnovers (8.5 TOs; FCBB: 14.8) and the second most offensive rebounds (12.5; FCBB: 9).
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In the regular season Ludwigsburg was responsible for one of only two Munich defeats (81-.74). Will the Bavarians succeed in getting their revenge and thus get back on track?
Tickets Audi Urban Cinema
To the schedule
The winner will play the winner of the quarter final Ulm - Frankfurt on Sunday (21.6., 15:00).