ALBA BERLIN faced a much sterner test but took a commanding 2-0 lead in their playoffs series with Telekom Baskets Bonn after an 83-70 home victory. Berlin were forced to play Game 2 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle, but they remained perfect at their old stomping grounds with a 6-0 record this season. Johannes Thiemann tallied 15 points as Berlin never trailed. Bonn played much better than the 94-68 loss in Game 1, but Brian Fobbs scoring 17 points was not enough for Bonn to steal home court advantage.
Game Summary: After hitting 18 points in Game 1, Matt Thomas scored the first five points of Game 2 for the hosts. ALBA connected on a second triple early for a double-digit lead 12-2 after just 3 minutes. Bonn worked hard on the offensive glass and drained three three-pointers in pulling within 16-15. ALBA answered with the next seven points only to have Bonn score the final six points of the first quarter and ALBA led 23-21 after 10 minutes. Bonn needed 3 minutes to score in the second quarter and watched Berlin go up 29-21. Bonn did not let the hosts pull away thanks to more offensive rebounds and three-pointers and evened the game 36-36. ALBA responded and went into the break ahead 44-40.
Bonn missed a couple of chances to take the lead early in the second half. ALBA worked harder on the glass at both ends and were able to open a 56-48 cushion. The advantage was back at double digits at 62-52. Bonn cut the gap to 62-59 but Berlin were ahead 64-59 after 30 minutes. The guests opened the final frame with a triple and Berlin needed more than 3 minutes to score and were still ahead 64-62. Noah Kirkwood was hoping to give Bonn their first lead but Johannes Thiemann came up with a monster block and Khalifa Koumadje threw down a dunk at the other end. Thiemann added the next four points to keep Berlin at arm’s length and Martin Hermann drained a triple and layup for a 77-68 lead with 69 seconds to go.
Numbers Please: Berlin dominated the rebounding in Game 1 46-18 but Bonn controlled the glass in the first half 22-13, including an 11-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. ALBA ended up out-rebounding Bonn 39-36 for the game. The hosts also shot 62.9 percent on two-pointers to go with 15-of-20 free throws compared to just 5-of-6 foul shots for Bonn.
Player of the Game: Johannes Thiemann was there for big plays all game - at both ends of the court - for Berlin. The world champion scored a team-high 15 points and also grabbed 6 rebounds and swatted 3 blocks.
The Germans: In addition to Thiemann's production, ALBA also had Louis Olinde score 7 points with 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block, Jonas Mattisseck added 7 points and Malte Delow chipped in 1 point, 1 rebound, 3 assists and 1 steal. Till Pape scored 6 points with 4 rebounds and both Christian Sengfelder and Sam Griesel tallied 5 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in a losing effort.
Also Newsworthy Part 1: Khalifa Koumadje was a dominant force in the paint for Berlin with his first double-double in the league this season, collecting 10 points and 11 rebounds - including 4 from the offensive glass. The Berlin big man has been very efficient and controlled since missing more than a month due to suspension.
Also Newsworthy Part 2: Berlin remained almost untouchable for Bonn with eight wins in the last nine games and 16 of the last 18 matchups since 2017-18. Bonn have only managed one win in the German capital since 2013 for a 1-14 record.
Also Newsworthy Part 3: Tim Schneider of ALBA BERLIN played his 400th game in the easyCredit BBL - just the third player to play so many games for ALBA. The top two players with more appearances for Berlin are Henrik Rödl with 512 and Teoman Öztürk with 489 games.
What's Up Next: The series now moves to Bonn for Game 3 on Tuesday, May 21 when Bonn hope they can get back into the series. ALBA will be looking to finish it out with a sweep. Bonn have struggled at home as well against Berlin with just one victory in front of their own fans in the eight games since 2018.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2023/24 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2023-24 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
