Just as frustrating and heartbreaking as Wednesday's 74:75 loss to Barça: After another comeback, the Bayern basketball team had the chance to secure their sixth win on the eleventh EuroLeague match day, but after 40 grueling minutes, they were unfortunately defeated by Efes Istanbul 72:74 (34:42). Isiaha Mike was the top scorer with 15 points.
In a duel between two teams that had been winless in the first part of the double week, the visitors let Efes pull away carelessly for a second time shortly before and after the break. In front of 10,000 fans in the sold-out “Antalya Spor Salonu,” Munich made a comeback in the final quarter (25-14), but struggled with the interpretation of the rules in the dramatic final phase and also on the last play.
Sunday in Trier
However, all attention is now focused on Sunday's cup quarterfinal (6 p.m./Dyn) in Trier, where the German champions are aiming to advance to the Top Four.
TJ Parker coached again for Gordon Herbert. With three games this week, Gabriel, Obst, and Voigtmann were rested this time. Hollatz returned and started against his former team. Guarding Larkin was only successful until his 8:5 (4th) - after this three-pointer, Efes pulled away for the first time with a 16:0 run.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul - FC Bayern Basketball 74:72 (42:34)
- FCBB:Isiaha Mike (15 points), Spencer Dinwiddie (11), Vladimir Lucic (9, 7 rebounds) Stefan Jovic (9, 5 assists), Oscar da Silva (8), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (8), Niels Giffey (8), Justinian Jessup (2), David McCormack (2), Leon Kratzer, Justus Hollatz, Aleksa Radanov (DNP)
- Topscorer Istanbul:Isaia Cordinier (26 points)
- RefereeJordi Aliaga, Igor Dragojevic, Sergio Manuel
- Attendance10.000
Comeback after 34:48
Giffey initially managed to curb the Turkish euphoria with a three-pointer to make it 10:16, before Larkin slipped and went into the locker room. Three offensive rebounds in a row plus a three-pointer from Mayes as a reward brought the score level at the start of the second quarter – and Jessup equalized, 19:19.
But Efes found its rhythm again, attacking the zone and grabbing more rebounds overall (27:34/18.). Istanbul punished Munich's mistakes in the last minute before the break with a 5:0 run – eight points behind, only 5/18 three-pointers.
Last play without a whistle
Efes was different after the restart: two three-pointers went in, Bayern had far too little power and trailed 34:48 (22nd minute). Cordinier (26 points) in particular took advantage of the lack of physical resistance.
As always, Bayern showed great morale, with da Silva leading them to 58:63 with eight points (33rd minute). FCBB was unlucky in close moments, but with 1:52 minutes left, Lucic reduced the deficit to 68:72.
The final act of the next Dama: Jovic only once from the line, 72:74; Mike blocks Loyd - one last offense with eight seconds left: But no foul call against da Silva, none against Dinwiddie and none against Lucic. Over.
QUOTES:
TJ Parker, Assistant Coach FC Bayern Basketball: "We allowed too many one-on-one situations defensively, especially against Cordinier, who was very aggressive. We stepped it up in the second half, and I really have a lot of respect for the players who were down by 13 or 14 points and fought their way back. That's a good sign for a team. I don't know what happened on the last play... Istanbul had played a home game. Congratulations.
Spencer Dinwiddie: "It was a hard-fought game, one of runs. We fought our way back, Stefan (Jovic) played a great game during that phase. Everyone fought hard, McCormack gave us energy and Isiaha (Mike) had a strong first half. The last play was the last play... Overall, I hope we'll have fewer turnovers in close situations next time and learn from this game."