Bayern heads into the decisive play-off quarter-final against Ludwigsburg four points behind

FC Bayern Munich's basketball team is four points behind heading into the Game 2 against Ludwigsburg on Friday. The German champion lost the highly competitive Game 1 in the Audi Dome on Wednesday evenin 87-83. Seven of Munich's 17 turnovers came in the final quarter and were decisive in the loss.

Like against Oldenburg Bayern led for large portions of the game. However, a total of 17 offensive rebounds for the MHP Giants and the Bayern turnover issues were vital in the lead change. The top scorer for the FCBB was captain Danilo Barthel with 20 points.

Game 2 takes place in less than 48 hours, on Friday (19.6.), tip-off at 16:30. In case of a FCBB four points victory, the semi-finalist will be determined in overtime. Bayern have to win by five points or more in order to advance.

Fans of the FCBB can also watch this game together in the drive-in format of the "Audi Urban Cinema" at the Munich Airport. The online presale is running.

Tickets Audi Urban Cinema

FC Bayern Basketball vs. MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg 83-87

FCBB
Danilo Barthel (20 points), TJ Bray (12, 5 rebounds), Maodo Lo (11), Leon Radosevic (11), Paul Zipser (9), Vladimir Lucic (7, 5 r ebounds), Diego Flaccadori (5), Mathias Lessort (4), Petteri Koponen (2), Zan Mark Sisko (2) und Alex King.
Top scorer Ludwigsburg
Hans Brase (18 points)
Referee
Moritz Reiter, Toni Rodriguez, Cristof Madinger.

Points per quarter Bayern - Ludwigsburg: 15-21, 27-15, 23-23, 18-28.

Stats – Two-point shooting: 61 % (FCBB) // 49 % (Ludwigsburg); Three-point shooting: 30 % // 35 %; Rebounds: 35 // 37; Free-throws: 76 % // 82 %; Assists: 17 // 14; Turnovers: 17 // 12.

Quotes:

FCBB head coach, Oliver Kostic: "The game was a great battle from both teams. We didn't start well, because we already left them offensive rebounds. After that we improved our defense and gained control."

"But in the end they got offensive rebounds again and could score from that. One or two plays were decisive for the outcome of the game today. We had seven turnovers in the last quarter, but we gave away another basketball lay-up, and that's how the small difference comes about. But my team fought very well. It's playoffs and it's only halftime. They have won the first game, but we will be prepared. We know why we lost today. We must bring that same energy and physicality."

Danilo Barthel: "We allowed ourselves too many turnovers offensively and also allowed too many rebounds defensively, which they hurt us with three-pointers. We were aware in the final phase that after the game is only halftime and every point counts. We need to rebound better in Game 2 and keep playing aggressively."

TJ Bray: "We lost by four points, but it's a game of 80 minutes. We actually controlled it, but then we were a bit too static on offense and missed a bit of our movement there. They have profited from this, they are a good team. But like I said, it's only halftime."

Leon Radosevic: "They were better today in the end, but I think we have a chance, these four points are nothing. Our main problems were the turnovers and rebounds. In any case, it's good as we showed fire, but in the end things like turnovers and rebounds were our main problem. We'll improve on that and I think we'll make it to the semifinals."

1st half:

The FCBB started with TJ Bray, Maodo Lo, Vladimir Lucic, Barthel and Mathias Lessort. Bayern got off to a good start and took a 9-2 lead after three minutes. Ludwigsburg fought their way into the game afterwards, thanks ot six offensive rebounds, which Bayern allowed just in the first quarter, and after a 14-1 run they pulled ahead by six points, 16-10. Hans Brase, who scored twelve points in the first quarter alone, especially caused problems for the FCBB. Another shortcoming was the unusually bad shooting from outside - only one of the eight attempts from three landed in the basket for the Munich squad. Bayern improved coming in from the first break and after an unsportsmanlike foul on Petteri Koponen, turned the game around again at the free-throw line. The lead lasted, with one brief exception, until the break. Bray took over responsibility on offense and equalled Brase at halftime with twelve points; in addition, the guard had four rebounds - 42:36 after 20 minutes.

2nd half:

The Munich squad came out hot from the locker room and extended their lead by a Lo three and a Barthel dunk, taking a double-digit lead for the first time (47-36/). But Ludwigsburg continued to hold on with a lot of fight against a home team which was also fighting very hard (54:50/26.). For the FCBB in this critical phase Leon Radosevic and Paul Zipser had some very important hustle plays holding the lead at 65-59 before the final quarter. Then the Munich team couldn't score for nearly two minutes, whereby Ludwigsburg managed to tie things up again after only 90 seconds (65:65/32.). Two Lucic-threes and free throws gave the FCBB their next lead, but the regular season unner-up equalized again four minutes before the end. Kostic had to stop the game again, but this time his team couldn't find the right answer. Ludwigsburg fought for the lead in the final minutes and pulled off the four-point win.