Bayern Munich makes BBL final, defeats ALBA Berlin

Bayern Munich stayed on course to defend its German Beko BBL title after outlasting arch rival ALBA Berlin to win the semi-finals series 3-2. The series has been very tight, with both teams heading into this contest with 2 wins, making this a crucial decider. With Thursday night’s contest being held in Berlin, ALBA held the advantage and looked destined for the final.

However, Bayern Munich found quality at the right time in an overtime period to win the game 96-101 to punch a ticket to the final. Another rival awaits the Munich club in the finale, with Brose Baskets Bamberg already assured of its spot after progressing earlier in the week. Bayern Munich put together a well-rounded game to defeat ALBA Berlin, handing out 22 assists and shooting 84% from the charity strip with 21 of the team’s attempts finding the bucket from 25 efforts.

ALBA started the game better though, marching to a 22-18 lead after a first quarter that showed this would be an epic encounter. Bayern hit back in a high octane second frame, but the hosts kept pace to end the period 22-23, making it 44-41 through halftime. Emerging for the second half, Munich found fresh impetus in the third quarter and put together a 19-25 run that made it 63-66 through thirty minutes. ALBA Berlin spurred behind the support of the home crowd and had a fantastic fourth act, draining 25 points and holding Bayern to 22 points. It was enough to tie the game at 88 apiece after regulation and the contest plunged into overtime. In the added period the visitors wrestled back the momentum with an 8-13 surge that handed Bayern Munich a place in the final.

Nihad Djedovic was in hot scoring form for Bayern as he logged a game high 30 points, followed by Vladimir Stimac with 14 points. Heiko Schaffartzik and Bryce Taylor scored 13 points each, while both Dusko Savanovic and John Bryant plundered 12 points apiece, with Bryant also adding 8 rebounds.

Jamel McLean was stunning for ALBA Berlin as he recorded a double-double of 29 points and 10 boards to pace the hosts. Reggie Redding scored 18 points, Marko Banic 15 points, Clifford Hammond 12 points, and Leon Radosevic 11 points.