The basketball players of FC Bayern Munich defeated the Merlins from Crailsheim 99-79 and have thus jumped another hurdle on the way to home-court advantage through the playoffs. The German champions are only two victories in the final five games away from being the top team through the regular season. In front of 4,447 spectators in the Audi Dome, the Bavarians didn't allow the guests to take the lead after the middle of the first quarter, then took the decisive lead in the second and dominated to end the game. Devin Booker and Petteri Koponen were each resteds. Sharpshooting Braydon Hobbs was top scorer with 20 points as he sunk six of his eight triple attempts and managed to grap five rebounds.
In the coming weeks two eagerly awaited playoff dress rehearsals are on the agenda: on Sunday in Berlin (28.4., 18:00) and on Tuesday for the "dance in May" in front of a home crowd against Bamberg (30.04., 20:30.).
Points per quarter Bayern - Crailsheim: 29-22, 19-17, 25-14, 26-26.
FCBB stats: Braydon Hobbs (20 points/6 triple/5 rebounds), Nihad Djedovic (15), Vladimir Lucic (14/3 triple), Nemanja Dangubic (13/5 assists), Stefan Jovic (7/5 assists), Danilo Barthel (7), Leon Radosevic (6), Derrick Williams (6), Marvin Ogunsipe (6), Maodo Lo (3), Alex King (2) and Nelson Weidemann.
Quotes:
FCBB head coach, Dejan Radonjic: "We didn't have a good start, especially defensively. We really like 29 points in the first quarter alone. In the second section we played much better and were able to control the game. We gave the minutes to all the players, including Nelson and Marvin. Next week we'll hopefully have all but Robin in practice again, Petteri and Devin had a good individual training today and will be back on Monday. Then we have a few days to prepare for Berlin."
Crailsheim head coach, Tuomas Iisalo: "It was clear very early on who would win the game. We had some losses due to physical problems. On the court we were defeated just in the second half. But above all, the 20 turnovers hurt us. Munich also had a very strong shooting percentage. We now have to concentrate fully on the game against Ludwigsburg next week."
1st quarter
FCBB coach Radonjic started with the rested lineup of Maodo Lo, Nihad Djedovic, Nemanja Dangubic, Derrick Williams and Danilo Barthel after a week without playing a game. The defense of the Bavarians was still in a certain peaceful Easter mode at the beginning - the Hakro Merlins used the resulting freedom to take a lead 9-3 after three minutes. Nihad Djedovic's three took the first lead for the defending champs after the fourth minute. After the first quarter the FCBB was 29-22 in the lead.
2nd quarter
Vladimir Lucic opened the second run with a triple and Radonjic gave FCBB youngster Nelson Weidemann early game time and he was big support to Hobbs in running the offense. The Munich team defended more intensively and forced the Baden-Württemberg team to panic a little and the home team managed to take a 40-24 lead. The guests, who had to do without three top players due to injuries, fought back to the best of their ability and stayed in the game as the score at half was 44-32.
3rd quarter
The German champion defended more energetically to begin the second half and it led to some easy fast-break points. The Crailsheimers had too little to oppose this and were quickly behind by 18 points to the Munich squad. The Merlins fought their way back a bit but the Bavarians knew how to counter this in the person of Stefan Jovic, his three and a subsequent three-point play set the lead at 20 points, 68-48 with ten minutes to play.
4th quarter
The brave visitors started into the final quarter with two quick baskets, but the Bavarians were now in a groove and did not allow any big runs for the guests. Braydon Hobbs pumped the crowed up with a three that took a 23-point lead for Bayern. Derrick Williams enchanted the fans by hammering the ball into the basket for a monster exclamation point to the victory. .
Upcoming games:
Sun, 28.4, 18:00.: Berlin - FCBB (BBL)
Tue, 30.4., 20:30: FCBB - Bamberg (BBL)
So., 5.5., 15:00: Casting - FCBB (BBL)
Fri, 10.5., 20:30: FCBB - Ulm (BBL)
Sun, 12.5, 18:00.: Bonn - FCBB (BBL)
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Playoffs 2019: start Saturday, May 18th
Photo credit: Stickel and Eirich