German BBL tips off with 5 games

The German BBL got underway on Thursday night with five clashes across the country. It is that time of the year when the new Basketball season is upon us and the excitement is building as leagues start across the continent. The German BBL got going with all five games going in favor of the host teams, including a Round 1 win for defending champions Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich vs. Mitteldeutscher BC, 86-63
Reigning German BBL champs Bayern Munich got their championship defense off to a good start by cruising to victory over MBC at home. The contest was never really in doubt and Bayern stamped their authority on the game in the first quarter, pacing to a 22-15 lead after 10 minutes. In the second frame, MBC got better, but the hosts had more scoring stamina and won the quarter 21-19 to hold a 43-34 lead at the long break. The champs were in control with a nine-point lead after 20 minutes and in the third stanza they all but confirmed the game with a 20-13 run that put the thirty-minute score at 63-49. Munich won the fourth quarter 23-16 to cap a very comfortable start to the 2014/2015 season.

MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg vs. Telekom Baskets Bonn, 88-81
Ludwigsburg downed Bonn at home thanks to a big fourth quarter that decided the game. The opening exchanges saw the teams swapping buckets during the first quarter, but Bonn outlasted to lead 21-22 at the first split. The hosts fought back in the second frame, although it was yet another closely fought 10 minutes, with only one point separating the teams at halftime (42-41). Bonn took charge in the third stint by controlling its defense and outscoring the home team by 20 points to 15, enough for a 57-61 lead at the last interval. Ludwigsburg needed a big finale and got it as the team poured in 31 points through the last quarter and held Bonn to 20 points. The hosts came from behind to win the game.

Artland Dragons Quackenbrueck vs. WALTER Tigers Tübingen, 97-64
This mashup between the Dragons and the Tigers saw the home team romp to a fiery victory with a crushing win over the not roaring Tigers. The first quarter actually proved to be no test of how the game would end, with both teams getting plenty of baskets. The hosts did manage to carve a tiny advantage though and led 20-19 at the first buzzer. In the second quarter, Artland started to stamp their authority on proceedings and overwhelmed Tübingen with a 27-15 run that extended the lead to 47-34 after 20 minutes. In the third quarter, the home team continued to tear the Tigers apart, outscoring the visitors 23-15 to take total command at 70-49 with the last frame to come. The Dragons turned it on in the last stanza to give the home fans, even more, to cheer about, winning Q4 27-15 to complete the demolition job.

ALBA Berlin vs. BG Göttingen, 110-74
ALBA Berlin will be one of the teams with an eye on winning this season’s German BBL and on this evidence the club will be hard to beat. The Berlin-based team tore apart Göttingen at home and got the game off to the perfect start with a blazing first quarter where they streamed in 24 points. The visitors offered just 13 points in reply and already ALBA was in command. The hot streak continued in a destructive second frame that saw ALBA nail 35 points and concede just 19 to lead 59-32 at the midway buzzer. Amazingly, Göttingen emerged in better shape in the third quarter and actually caught Berlin cold to win the frame 21-25, enough to close the gap after 30 minutes (80-57). Normal service resumed in the final stanza as ALBA Berlin sealed victory in crushing fashion, winning the fourth quarter 30-17.

medi Bayreuth vs. Crailsheim Merlins, 80-71
Bayreuth defeated the newly promoted Merlins to win their first game of the 2014/2015 German BBL season. The home team had much the better of the first quarter and put in a solid defensive display at the perimeter to lead 20-13 after 10 minutes on the hardwood. Crailsheim improved considerably in the second quarter and matched Bayreuth bucket for bucket to tie the frame 18 apiece. The scoreboard read 38-31 at halftime, but the Merlins continued to improve in the third quarter and outscored their hosts 19-21 to make the score 57-52 and set up an interesting fourth quarter. However, the experience of the home team showed as Bayreuth outpaced their opponents down the stretch and ended the game in comfortable fashion.