The Bayern basketball team put on an impressive performance, winning their first major test at an invitational event in Cyprus with a 107:95 (54:51) victory over EuroLeague competitor Maccabi Tel Aviv. In front of 1,500 spectators in Nicosia, Gordon Herbert's team displayed a smooth, fast-paced offensive game, hitting 16 out of 28 three-pointers (57%).
Up next: Sunday vs. Panathinaikos
Top scorers were Carsen Edwards (27 points) and Devin Booker (21), who has been showing strong form in the preseason. On Sunday, the German champions will have their dress rehearsal for the BBL season opener next Friday at BMW Park (September 20, 8 p.m.) against Chemnitz. At 6 p.m., Bayern will face the EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos Athens, with the game broadcast live on Dyn.
Photo-Credit: Chara Savvides
Johannes Voigtmann traveled with the team but did not play due to a lack of practice. World Champion Niels Giffey (personal reasons) and Kevin Yebo (infection) were also absent.
After a rough start (2:12), the double-winners found their rhythm against Israel's record champion in the first quarter (28:25). In the third period, Edwards shone with 16 points in seven minutes of play, including 13 consecutive points to make it 85:81.
Edwards in Form
The final quarter will provide Coach Herbert with valuable defensive analysis material, as lapses against Jokubaitis and former NBA champion Loyd put the victory at risk with scores of 89:85 and 94:90 (38th minute). It was Shabazz Napier who sealed the win with two three-pointers for a very cohesive Munich team.
FCBB Stats: Edwards: 27 PTS / 3 AST, Booker: 21 PTS / 3 REB, Napier: 14 PTS / 6 AST / 3 REB, Obst: 9 PTS, Da Silva: 8 PTS / 8 REB. Lucic: 8 PTS / 2 REB, Weiler-Babb: 7 PTS / 5 AST, Brankovic: 7 PTS, Harris: 6 PTS / 3 REB, Madar: 3 AST, Kharchenkov