By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Backed by traveling supporters, Telekom Baskets Bonn used a late surge fueled by T. J. Shorts II to defeat MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, 82-73, and sweep the best-of-five series of the easyCredit BBL Semifinals Saturday.
Shorts, 25, poured a game-high 20 points in Game 3. Possibly adding to the collection of individual accolades between the Basketball Champions League and Germany’s top-flight division, he is expected to lead the charge through the best-of-five championship series versus ratiopharm Ulm.
Javontae Hawkins and Leon Kratzer added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the team coached by Tuomas Iisalo in MHP Arena. Before Game 3, captain Karsten Tadda was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery. However, the crazy winning streak was extended.
Bonn has not lost a game since dropping Game 1 of the BCL Playoffs series against SIG Strasbourg in early April. The ensuing 18-game winning streak includes capturing the Champions League title in Malaga. Tracking the last domestic loss, ALBA Berlin got the job done in mid-January.
Unable to contain Shorts and company all the way through the tight battle, Josh King’s side became the second victim of a sweep at the hands of Bonn in the 2023 Playoffs. Prentiss Hubb recorded 18 points and Will Cherry had 17 points in the last game of the 2022-23 season.
Bonn or Ulm to break the curse
Eliminating second-seeded ALBA in the Quarterfinals and third-seeded FC Bayern Munich in the Semifinals, Ulm completed the improbable run to the Finals yesterday, Friday.
Both held to runner-up status in every single appearance in Germany’s Finals, Bonn or Ulm will end up celebrating the first domestic league championship in team history.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League