98:93 over Maccabi is win no. 10

Bayern's basketball team is still in the thick of the EuroLeague playoff race: After a first half with major defensive problems and trailing by up to 15 points, the German champions managed a 98:93 (43:50) home win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final quarter with a great display of willpower and the 11,500 behind them. It was the tenth win of the season for Gordon Herbert's team, whose record in the SAP Garden (8/8) remains spotless.

The Munich team will be on the road for a week from Saturday: Sunday in Rostock, Tuesday in Monaco and Friday in Milan.

To the boxscore

Tel Aviv 65:50 ahead 

Maccabi began with an attacking rhythm and exploited the large gaps at Munich's board - 15:25 and 5:13 rebounds (8th). The players from the bench briefly broke the flow in the second quarter, such as Brankovic and Napier, who played with a cracked nose and mask.

However, the way the visitors kept scoring backdoor was alarming, as was the 33:47 deficit (18'). Nine turnovers at the break and 50 Maccabi points meant there was plenty to talk about. 

Obst and Zorro Napier turn it

Ball movement and defense, not just against center Gabriel (15/8), remained weak points and Tel Aviv pulled away to 65:50 (25'). It was then four fruit threes that kept Bayern in the game, plus steals by Napier and Babb - and the fight was finally on, 67:72 in the 30th minute.

Booker stuffed and Napier from outside to complete the comeback at 75:72 (32'). It was now a thriller. Maccabi played at its limit (85:85/37), but Obst kept on scoring and Edwards burrowed his way through - 90:85, the arena shook (-1:57). FCBB's top scorers Edwards (25) and Obst (23, Napier 13) finally secured the next party from the free throw line.

Quotes

Gordon Herbert: „Of course, it's good when you don't play well and still find a way. We tried some things (in defense) at the beginning because they're a very good offensive team, but it didn't work; that's my fault. We were very passive, thought too much and gave up 30 points in the first quarter. That's on me. When we were 15 down in the third quarter, Shabazz and Kevin came in and energized us. (...) We wanted to switch a lot and that's how we got into trouble. I thought it would work, but it wasn't very smart. It backfired, we had a lot of mismatches at the basket, Gabriel had offensive rebounds and scored in the post. We changed that a bit in the second half with Danko, who gave us a few good minutes, even though he had few minutes recently. (...)

It just wasn't a good basketball game for 25 minutes and I'm glad it's over. Actually, you want your defense to be your consistent main product, the offense is a roller coaster. We're the opposite - our defense is a roller coaster. But the great thing is that we have room to improve. (...)

The fans were great, they were behind us even though we didn't play well. But when Shabazz came in with some defensive plays and Andi hit some shots, the fans were in the game too. We then played with enthusiasm and energy. That really helped us.”     

Kevin Yebo: "The start was difficult, we then had to change things up and showed huge character and brought energy back. That was simply a great performance. (...) The arena gave us a lot of energy. I can remember a time-out where I saw people dancing. It's just nice when you see something like that, when you get the fans involved and everyone is having fun.”

Shabazz Napier: “It was a competitive game. Maccabi is a great team and we had to step up and play better defense in the second half. I think we did that as a team. I don't like this mask, but it's the third time in three years I've broken my nose. It protects me and I have to get used to it. The coach was disappointed at halftime. We're obviously a strong offensive team, but if we defend better, we'll be even better as a team overall.”

The next games of the FCBB

• Sunday, December 15, 3 p.m.: 10th easyCredit BBL matchday, Rostock Seawolves - FCBB

• Tuesday, December 17, 7 p.m.: 16th EuroLeague matchday, AS Monaco - FCBB

• Friday, December 20, 9 p.m.: 17th EuroLeague matchday, Olimpia Armani Milan - FCBB

• Sunday, December 22, 4:30 p.m.: 11th easyCredit BBL matchday, FCBB - EWE Baskets Oldenburg (BMW Park)