The FCBB misses a chance for three wins in-a-row

Bayern is unable to take the leap towards playoff contention as after two wins, the Bayern basketball team suffered an 82-73 loss  in Valencia on Tuesday. In a fiercely contested game, the FCBB could not stop the Spaniards in the last quarter.

Munich's record is now 9-13. Their top scorers were Winston (22 points) and Giffey (14).

It falls apart after a 51-47 lead

It won't be easy on Thursday, starting at 20:30 when Munich visits title contender FC Barcelona at the Palau Blaugrana, without Lucic, Obst and Harris.

SCHEDULE

In Valencia, it was all about physicality from the first minute and defense from the guards was put to the test. The FCBB were ahead 24-19 (15th) and 51-47 (27th) but Valencia got hot - especially from distance - and streaked to a big lead 75-58 (34th), a 14-2 start in the final quarter dashed their hopes.

Score per quarter Bayern - Valencia: 14-16, 18-17, 24-28, 17-21

Stats: Two-point shooting: 49% (FCBB) // 53% (Valencia); Three-point shooting: 38% // 39%; Free-throw shooting: 93% // 89%; Rebounds: 30 // 34; Assists: 14 // 19; Turnovers: 9 // 10

Quotes:

Andrea Trinchieri: "Congratulations to Valencia for their great five minutes that completely changed the game. They deserved the victory. We had a solid first half, defended pretty well, but were weak on offense. In the second half we were without energy on both sides. We couldn't stay in front of the ball. (...) I would say our one-on-one defense was exposed. We gave up shots, dunks, threes and then we also lost the ball too often in those five minutes. We just didn't do enough to be able to win the game."

Othello Hunter: "That's a tough loss. We were actually in the game, then they had their run. We couldn't stop them and now we have to focus on the next game and be better."

Valencia head coach, Alex Mumbru: "We suffered a lot today. In the first 20 minutes we played good defense. Then in the fourth quarter we had to wait for our moment and luckily it came. Finally we hit our threes and played great. In the end, I'm happy for my players. Shannon Evans had two or three important minutes. But this was a team win in the end, everybody helped and gave their best."

Game recap:

Cassius Winston, Nick Weiler-Babb, Isaac Bonga, Augustine Rubit and Freddie Gillespie opened up the trip to Spain for coach Trinchieri. Both teams started with high intensity and defended with gusto. Gillespie dominated under the basket in the absence of star center Bojan Dubljevic. A block, an offensive rebound and a powerful dunk were quickly on the stat sheet for the talented big man. Meanwhile, ex-Ludwigsburg player Jonah Radebaugh managed to get the open shots for the Spaniards. The guard ensured a good start for Valencia with five points - 12-8 for Valencia (7th minute). Valencia did not make it easy for the guests and Hunter had to take a final three-pointer falling backwards but the veteran didn't let it bother him and closed a contested first quarter with a brilliant basket (16-14). 

In the second quarter the home team's motto remained to keep the tempo high and attack the offensive boards with a lot of force. However, Bayern matched the physicality and Hunter showed off his leaping ability with a great rebound while Gillespie blocked another shot and helped take the lead for Bayern 20-18 (14th). The game remained extremely low-scoring and only the newly crowned Euroleague Player of the Month, Augustine Rubit, found a little success. But since the defense was on point, Lopez-Arostegui's buzzer-beater at the end of the first half made it only a one-point lead for Valencia, 33-32.

Small runs on both sides

Cash Winston opened the third quarter with two lightning-fast goals. A short technical interruption stopped the fast start and Alex Mumbru's team came back in the game. A three-pointer by Niels Giffey briskly interrupted the short run and brought Bayern back to within one, 45-44 (25th). While on both sides the points were distributed on many shoulders, no one managed to pull away by more than five points. Once again, the last shot of the quarter went in for the hosts, who took a narrow lead (61-56).    

Klemen Prepelic needed only a few seconds to follow up the five-point lead and pump-up the Spanish fans for the first time. On the opposite side, Bayern managed to force four quick fouls. But Valencia's marksman was now hot and made several shots look easy, time-out Trinchieri (67-58/33rd). After a lightening 17-2 run, the Munich head coach was forced to call timeout again. Winston briefly silenced the heated hall and together with Gillespie and Giffey, the top scorer fought back against the threat of defeat (77-68/37th). But two unfortunate missed opportunities by Jaramaz and a subsequent unsportsmanlike and technical foul against Gillespie made it almost impossible to catch up. Despite a tireless Winston, Valencia brought home the win (82-73).