– David Hein
Dirk Nowitzki has said goodbye, calling it a career. Be well, Dirk - you will be missed! In Germany, Ismet Akpinar played the hero for ratiopharm ulm in a thrilling overtime win over s.Oliver Würzburg while EWE Baskets Oldenburg knocked off Brose Bamberg in the race for home court advantage in the playoffs. Outside of Germany, ALBA BERLIN beat Valencia Basket in Game 2 of the EuroCup finals to force a decisive Game 3.
In this section, we break out our English language skills and inform you about the latest news from the German easyCredit Basketball Bundesliga. If you’re short on time but still want your fill of Germany’s top basketball league, then you are in the right place. Every week David Hein (www.heinnews.com) brings you up-to-date in German basketball – the easyCredit BBL short and sweet:
Akpinar comes through as Ulm beat Würzburg in overtime
Ismet Akpinar came up big in helping ratiopharm ulm knock off s.Oliver Würzburg 95-94 in overtime at home in a battle of teams battling to stay in the playoffs ranks. Neither team led by more than seven points in the game but Würzburg led by five points with a minute left until Akpinar hit a layup with 37 seconds left. Würzburg then turned the ball over with 2.7 seconds left and Akpinar made them pay with a long three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime. In the extra session, Akpinar hit a layup with 21 seconds left to pull Ulm within one point. Würzburg again turned the ball over and Akpinar had his shot blocked but grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 1.3 seconds left. And the German international made both free throws for the win, which came after 15 lead changes and 11 ties. Dwayne Evans paced Ulm with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals while Akpinar finished with 18 points and 3 assists off the bench and Patrick Miller had 15 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Ulm have won two straight to move to 15-12 for sixth place while Würzburg are eighth at 15-13 after having won five of the last six. Xavier Cooks was Würzburg’s leading scorer with 24 points and 9 rebounds while Cameron Wells had 17 points and 7 assists and Devin Oliver chipped in 12 points and 9 rebounds.
Oldenburg fend off Bamberg, get back to winning ways in Round 17 game
EWE Baskets Oldenburg fended off Brose Bamberg 100-89 at home to return to their winning ways in a big Round 17 make-up game in the fight for home court advantage in the playoffs. Oldenburg never trailed in the game, leading by 13 points and not letting Bamberg get close. Oldenburg grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and turned them into 19 second chance points in improving to 22-5 in second place. Rasid Mahalbasic collected 20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, Frantz Massenat scored 18 points and Will Cummings had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in the win. Bamberg have lost three straight to fall to 18-8 despite Tyrese Rice picking up 23 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists, Augustine Rubit contributing 19 points and 5 rebounds and Nikos Zisis adding 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
Tadda extends deal with Oldenburg
EWE Baskets Oldenburg and German international Karsten Tadda have agreed on an extension for next season. The 30-year-old Tadda has been with Oldenburg since 2017 and he will be an important part of the team next season as well.
Bayern win at Ludwigsburg in Round 14 make-up game
FC Bayern Munich extended their winning streak to five games as they won on the road at MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 91-75 in a Round 14 make-up game. Bayern had a 21-10 first quarter and took over the game for good with a 27-16 third quarter. Bayern made 68 percent of their two-point shots and converted 32-of-39 free throws, including 11-of-11 by Danilo Barthel compared to 11-of-15 for Ludwigsburg as a team. Barthel led the way with 24 points and 5 rebounds while Nihad Djedovic had 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals as Bayern moved to 25-2. Kelan Martin paced Ludwigsburg with 17 points and Marcos Knight had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists as Ludwigsburg dropped their third straight and fifth of the last six to fall to 12-15.
Big second quarter enough for Bayern in home win over Braunschweig
A big second quarter was enough for FC Bayern Munich in picking up an 84-73 victory at home over Basketball Löwen Braunschweig. Bayern took the second quarter 31-19 in improving to 14-0 at home and a 26-2 record after their sixth straight victory. Danilo Barthel led the way with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks off the bench while Derrick Williams added 11 points. Braunschweig were paced by Scott Eatherton with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. But it was not enough as Braunschweig have lost three of the last four for a 13-14 record in ninth place - two wins fewer than s.Oliver Würzburg in eighth place.
Ludwigsburg survive late run to win at Giessen, stay in playoffs race
MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg wasted an 11-point fourth quarter lead but managed to grab a 98-93 victory at GIESSEN 46ers to remain in the hunt for the playoffs. Giessen erased the 11-point deficit and evened the game at 90-90. But they scored just one point in the next four possessions and Ludwigsburg took control with an 8-1 run including a dagger fade away shot by Marcos Knight with 27 seconds left. Owen Klassen paced Ludwigsburg with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench while Jordon Crawford had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists. Ludwigsburg turned the ball over just eight times and won the rebound battle 38-26 in moving to 13-16 in 10th place after having dropped five of their last six games. Brandon Thomas scored 19 points and John Bryant had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists as Giessen have lost seven straight games for an 11-17 record.
Frankfurt survive late Jena run for road victory
FRAPORT SKYLINERS survived a late run by Science City Jena to pick up a 78-72 road victory to stay close in the playoffs race. Frankfurt took control of the game in the third quarter and built the lead to 17 points. But Jena charged back with a 14-0 run. Immanuel McElroy’s free throws had Jena within 75-72 with 33 seconds left but Quantez Robertson nailed a three-pointer with 8 seconds left for the dagger. Leon Kratzer paced Frankfurt with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Robertson had 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals to help Frankfurt snap a three-game losing streak to move to 11-16 - four wins from the final playoffs spot. Jena, who handed the coaching reins until the end of the season to Marius Linartas, have now dropped nine in a row for last place at 5-23. Ronald Roberts tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks off the bench and Dru Joyce had 16 points and 8 assists in the defeat.
The “Bachelor” is back: Frankfurt sign Mangold
FRAPORT SKYLINERS have brought the “Bachelor” back to the easyCredit BBL as they signed Andrej Mangold until the end of the season. The 32-year-old Mangold gained German-wide popularity as he appeared on the German TV show “Der Bachelor”. He last played in the league last season with s.Oliver Würzburg.
MBC gain another big win in relegation battle with Göttingen
Mitteldeutscher BC picked up another big win in their fight against relegation at they won 92-78 at BG Göttingen. MBC pushed their lead to 19 points in the third quarter but watched the hosts cut it down to five points. But MBC regained control in the fourth quarter for their second straight win to move to 7-20 in 15th place. Six MBC players scored in double figures, led by Sergio Kerusch with 16 points and Jovan Novak’s 12 points and 9 assists. MBC made 72 percent from two-point range while not attempting a single free throw. Michael Stockton paced Göttingen with 24 points and 8 assists and Darius Carter and Mihaljo Andric both scored 14 points, but the team dropped to 8-19 in 14th place.
Oldenburg hold on to beat Bayreuth at home
EWE Baskets Oldenburg held on to beat medi bayreuth at home 90-81 to lock up a spot in the easyCredit BBL playoffs. Oldenburg blew a 12-point lead in the first quarter and were up 11 points late in the third quarter before fending off Bayreuth. Will Cummings collected 21 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists for the winners while Rasid Mahalbasic contributed 14 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block and Philipp Schwethelm added 14 points and 7 rebounds as Oldenburg won despite hitting just 26 percent from three-point range, committing only 8 turnovers while hitting 31-of-40 free throws. Oldenburg improved to 25-2. Bayreuth dropped their fourth straight to fall to 12-15 in 11th place - three wins behind eighth-placed s.Oliver Würzburg. Bayreuth, who got 17 points and 7 rebounds from Eric Mika, made only 25 percent from three-point range and 19-of-26 free throws.
Warren carries Bremerhaven to home win over Bonn
Eisbären Bremerhaven got a big game from Chris Warren in grabbing an 88-67 home victory over Telekom Baskets Bonn. Bremerhaven nearly gave up a 17-point lead but then pulled away in the fourth quarter with Warren leading the way with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals. Elston Turner added 18 points and Keith Benson had 14 points and 6 rebounds as Bremerhaven shot 51 percent for the game and committed only 9 turnovers. Bremerhaven have won three straight at home and two of their last three to move to 6-22 in 17th place. Bonn have now lost two of the last three to fall to 15-12 in seventh place despite Yorman Polas Bartolo’s 13 points and 12 points from Martin Breunig. Bonn shot 39 percent for the game including just 17 percent from three-point range.
Bamberg too much for Crailsheim, end losing skid
Brose Bamberg were too much as they defeated HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim 101-92 to end a three-game losing skid. Crailsheim led early in the third quarter but Bamberg took control of the game with a 14-0 run. Playing without Tyrese Rice, Ricky Hickman led Bamberg with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists while Bryce Taylor scored 16 points and Nikos Zisis picked up 15 points and 7 assists. Bamberg, who improved to 19-8, made 58 percent of their shots and out-rebounded Crailsheim 40-19. Ben Madgen paced Crailsheim with 22 points while Joe Lawson added 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists and Frank Turner chipped in 18 points and 7 assists. But they were not enough as Crailsheim fell to 7-20 in 16th place.
Berlin force decisive Game 3 in EuroCup finals against Valencia
Before taking on RASTA Vechta, ALBA BERLIN will have a chance to take home the 7DAYS EuroCup title as they will play Valencia Basket in a decisive Game 3 on Monday, April 15. Berlin forced the final game after taking Game 2 at home 95-92 in overtime with Rokas Giedraitis scoring 17 points while Luke Sikma had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Peyton Siva added 14 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
Berlin host Vechta in final Round 28 game
The final Round 28 game will take place Thursday April 18 as ALBA BERLIN host RASTA Vechta in a big game as Vechta are third at 20-7 with two straight wins and Berlin are fourth at 19-5 after four straight wins.
Player of the Week
Chris Warren takes home Player of the Week honors for his showing in Eisbären Bremerhaven’s win over Telekom Baskets Bonn as he had 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting with 3 three-pointers and 2-of-2 free throws, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 0 turnovers for an efficiency of 36.
German Top Five of the Week
G: Ismet Akpinar, ratiopharm ulm
Akpinar came up huge late in regulation and overtime with a three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime and then he scored the final four points of the game in Ulm’s win over s.Oliver Würzburg. In total, Akpinar collected 18 points with 4 three-pointers, 1 rebound and 3 assists.
F: Alen Pjanic, GIESSEN 46ers
Let’s go with a big lineup this week as the 22-year-old Pjanic deserves a spot on the team in Giessen’s loss to MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg. He set career highs with 13 points, 5 made field goals, 9 field goal attempts, 6 rebounds and 2 assists while also picking up 1 steal and 2 blocks.
F: Philipp Schwethelm, EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Schwethelm played a major role in Oldenburg picking up two victories. He had 14 points and 3 rebounds against Brose Bamberg and then collected 14 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist against medi bayreuth.
F: Danilo Barthel, FC Bayern Munich
Barthel was sensational for Bayern in two wins. Against MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg (video on the right) he had 24 points on 6-of-9 shots and 11-of-11 free throws, 5 rebounds and 1 block. And he collected 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal against Basketball Löwen Braunschweig.
C: Leon Kratzer, FRAPORT SKYLINERS
Kratzer makes his way back onto this list as he set career highs with 21 points, 10 field goals made and 15 attempts while adding 11 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in Frankfurt’s win over Science City Jena. Check out his nice dunk.
Was eine Sequenz vom Anführer!
— FC Bayern Basketball (@fcb_basketball) April 11, 2019
Live auf https://t.co/J8YZrpxsKa#Barthel #BBL #LUDFCBB #FCBBlive pic.twitter.com/0hFlDXtAg9
Young Guns
Jacob Hollatz, 20, PG, EWE Baskets Oldenburg
Hollatz was the surprise starting point guard in Oldenburg’s win over Brose Bamberg. It was his second game in the easyCredit BBL and the 20-year-old picked up 1 rebound, 2 steals and 2 turnovers in 7:06 minutes.
Ariel Hukporti, 17, PF, MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg
Ludwigsburg head coach John Patrick gave Hukporti an early birthday present as he played 9:18 minutes and scored 6 points on 3-of-3 shots with 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and this spectacular alley oop one day before his 17th birthday against FC Bayern Munich. Against GIESSEN 46ers, Hukporti went scoreless in 1:43 minutes, missing his only shot - the first miss of his career after hitting his first four attempts.
Niklas Kiel, 21, PF, FRAPORT SKYLINERS
Kiel started against Science City Jena and collected 4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 17:09 minutes.
Olinde Watch
Louis Olinde did not do much scoring against EWE Baskets Oldenburg as the 21-year-old scored 2 points as he made his only field goal attempt but missed both of his free throws while also picking up 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 16:36 minutes. Against HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim, Olinde scored 7 points on 3-of-5 shots including 1-of-1 from three-point range to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 17:44 minutes.
Germans Abroad
Goodbye Dirk! You have been amazing and inspirational your whole career and you will be missed. Dirk Nowitzki announced his retirement from basketball after 21 years. There is so much to say … just enjoy all the videos out there looking back on the legend’s legendary career. Here are most of them!
LIVE ???? Der Rou¬ti¬ni¬er findet den Youngster. @ReseRice4 auf @louisolinde! #neueROTation pic.twitter.com/eRnv4EEziX
— Brose Bamberg (@BroseBamberg) April 10, 2019
