Bayern misses second chance for the finals

In the end, nerves decided the game and they will now be even more in demand: The Bayern basketball team lost its second home game against the Telekom Baskets of Bonn, this time 83-80 and have made their two road wins go to waste. The decision on the final participant will now be made in the fifth playoff semifinal, which will take place on Wednesday (08.06.) from 20:30 in Bonn.

The FCBB will offer a fan trip, info will follow on Tuesday.

The second seed once again demanded everything from the Munich team in the second closing game of the series and attacked with determination in the last quarter. In front of 5,700 fans in the seething Audi Dome, Munich allowed the Rhinelanders a few too many offensive rebounds after halftime and also had a few too many turnovers and misses from the free-throw line.

Both teams shot well at the start, with the hosts leading 26-24 after the first quarter. Bonn had advantages from distance and the Munich defense lacked some grip in the one-on-one (48-44 Bonn/20th). Before the break the lead had changed 20 times and after the restart again the FCBB took over. But Bonn moved the ball well and countered with threes and aggressive moves to the basket - 78-70 (36th). With only 1:41 minutes left to play, league MVP Jackson-Cartwright (20) scored for the Baskets to make it 83-77. The FCBB couldn't get up one last shot for a possible equalizer in the closing seconds.

Points per quarter Bayern - Bonn: 26-24, 21-24, 17-18, 16-17

Stats: Two-point shooting: 58% (FCBB) // 54% (Bonn); Three-point shooting: 28% // 32%; Free-throw shooting: 77% // 80%; Rebounds: 35 // 33; Assists: 15 // 14; Turnovers: 14 // 8

Quotes:     

FCBB head coach, Andrea Trinchieri: "Congratulations to Bonn, they were better in the last five minutes. The game was about two things: our defense and covering our defensive rebounding. Everything else is not so important because the statistics are similar. But their 13 offensive rebounds cost us a lot, especially in our best moments in the third quarter when we had a little run. We didn't reap what we sowed because we didn't control the boards. Now we have a fifth game and of course the momentum has changed. We have to go to Bonn, it will be packed there. (...)

What I don't understand: in the first two games we were very focused on defense and rebounds. In the third and fourth game we had a regression here. That cost us the games. (...) Of course, they are the favorite now, they won twice in a row. Whoever is afraid of going to the fifth game and winning should stay at home. (...) We just have to play better, because we haven't raised our level. Now anything can happen. It will be difficult, but let's see."  

Nihad Djedovic: "Today was a game like the three before, so 40 minutes of fighting. Bonn had a good shooting percentage; we tried to counter with our big players, but then they had a bit of luck and won narrowly. Especially rebounding was a problem in the last games, especially here at home. We have to control that better. We're playing the fifth game in Bonn to win it and we're going to give everything to make it to the finals."

Game Recap:

Coach Trinchieri started Game 4 of the best-of-five series with Nick Weiler-Babb, Nihad Djedovic, Vladimir Lucic, Augustine Rubit and Leon Radosevic. The confident guests made a lightning start with two quick threes, but the Munich team stayed calm and countered with strong moves to the basket - Lucic twice, Djedovic and Rubit equalized at 8-8 (4th minute). Bayern worked well under the Bonn basket and Rubit collected point after point, and Hunter also stepped in to score (13-11/6th). Munich and Bonn were neck-and-neck in terms of talent and effort and as a result the lead changed with almost every attack. After the tempo-charged first quarter, the FCBB was in the lead with 26-24.

Trinchieri called a timeout less than two minutes into the second period because Bonn had just regained the lead with a three-pointer (29-28/12th). The three-pointers did not fall for Munich so they sought their salvation again in drives to the basket. Neither the Bavarians nor the Baskets were able to pull away, and in a true offensive spectacle the lead changed almost every second (35-34/15th). The guests gained a small advantage after a time but Thomas fired in a three-pointer to get back within one (45-44/20th). After an impressive play by Bonn's MVP Jackson-Cartwright, Vladimir Lucic sank a three-pointer and Bayern trailed 48-47 at the half.

Weiler-Babb & Co. fight back

The FCBB started brilliantly into the second half with a 7-3 run as Weiler-Babb and Lucic did the job (54-51/22nd). The FCBB now knew how to maintain the lead with a lot of will and effort, but there was no talk of pulling away at all since the Baskets were too strong and frequently found offensive solutions (60-56/25th). Munich's motor faltered and the Bonners were immediately on the spot and regained the lead - time-out Bavaria (61-60/27th). The momentum was fully on the side of the guests until Weiler Babb stopped their 10-0 run 64-62 Bonn (28th). Munich fought back and Weiler-Babb sensationally blocked Jackson-Cartwright at the end of the quarter but Bonn maintained their two-point lead.

The defensive rebound sinks the Bayern ship

A Rubit three-pointer kept the game close, but the whirlwind Jackson-Cartwright caused considerable problems for the Munich defense (70-67/34th). Captain Djedovic tied the game at 70-70 with a three-point play, but Bonn's Kulvietis went one better with a four-point play (74-70/35th). Trinchieri implored his men in a timeout to create rhythm with rebounds and stops. But the Munich team struggled, gave up too many defensive rebounds and were in early foul trouble. The nervousness was palpable and Bonn pulled away (78-70/37th). The FCBB fought its way back to 78-74 via free throws. Weiler-Babb drew an unsportsmanlike foul and sank the due free throws, and in the following scene he was also fouled while shooting - free throws: he hit one (80-77/ with 118 seconds left). Jackson-Cartwright developed into the game-deciding figure, as he not only hit the three-pointer to make it 77:83 (100 seconds left), but also hung his fifth foul on Weiler-Babb. Hunter was there on the offensive rebound and hammered the ball in (83-79/62 seconds left). After that, the stop succeeded, but Jaramaz only hit one free throw after a foul. Bayern had the last attack with a chance to equalize, but Jackson-Cartwright managed the steal - Game 5 on Wednesday in Bonn.

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(c) Eirich & Pahnke