FC Bayern Munich has clearly won the duel between the two German EuroLeague teams. The reigning German champions beat the still decimated Alba Berlin 115:86.
Bayern was once again able to rely on its two top scorers Carsen Edwards (25 points, 6/9 three-pointers) and Devin Booker (18), while point guard Nick Weiler-Babb (12, 11 assists) excelled. Matteo Spagnolo (23, 10/16 FG) was the top scorer for Alba, with the Italian making one jump shot after another, especially before half-time. Trevion Williams scored 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds and made six assists, but also turned over the ball six times.
Yanni Wetzell (11) returned for Alba after missing the Milan game, but the team was still missing seven players, meaning that young Anton Nufer started again. The Bavarians scored on their first seven possessions, with Edwards the first to miss a lay-up after a good four minutes. However, Spagnolo was in good form, as he was on Tuesday, and Alba also scored well at the start. Then there was a small break in play for Bayern, with Coach Herbert trying out eleven players in the first quarter, meaning that Munich only managed to lead 28:27.
Without Spagnolo, Alba’s offense was paralyzed, while Bayern got a boost from Napier, and shortly afterwards Edwards scored eight points in 75 seconds, including two threes. Bayern were now defending with more intensity too, and that put Alba in difficulty. Munich produced a 22:6 run in the final six minutes before half-time to go in at the break 62:42 ahead.
Bayern can do no wrong: Da Silva scores from the center line
Alba did not get any better though, and after a good three minutes and another Edwards three, Head Coach Israel Gonzalez was already forced to call a timeout. The air was quickly out, Bayern let up a bit defensively, but continued to score almost at will in offense. It was almost symbolic that Oscar da Silva also scored from the center line at the end of the quarter to make it 96:56. Not much more happened, with Bayern playing exclusively with reserves in the fourth period, allowing the starters to call it a day early.
Bayern has now won seven of ten games in the EuroLeague and is back in fourth place for the time being. Berlin (2-8), on the other hand, retains the red lantern. On Sunday, Bayern will be in action at home again, when the reigning German champions will face Telekom Baskets Bonn at 3 p.m. at the BMW Park. An hour and a half later, Alba will then be a guest at RASTA Vechta.
