By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A confident display for ALBA Berlin powered a 94-68 victory against Telekom Baskets Bonn in Uber Arena on Friday. The team coached by Israel Gonzalez earned a 1-0 lead in a best-of-five series of Germany’s easyCredit BBL Playoffs.
After creating separation with a 10-0 finish to the first half of the Quarterfinals opener, the Albatrosse ballooned the advantage over 20 points to seal a win.
Connecting five three-pointers, Matt Thomas stood out with 18 points in 19 minutes. Johannes Thiemann threw in 12 points and a game-high six rebounds. Sterling Brown and Martin Hermannsson added ten points apiece. Returning to action after one month, Louis Olinde (ankle) tallied four points, seven rebounds, and two assists over 12 minutes.
Besides Gabriele Procida (left knee surgery), Matteo Spagnolo (left foot surgery), and Ziga Samar (left Achilles tendon) remaining on the injury list, Justin Bean sprained his ankle in practice and was ruled out for Game 1.
On the losing end, Noah Kirkwood put in 14 points. Glynn Watson Jr. with 12 points and Till Pape with 11 points emerged as the remaining double-digit scorers for the team coached by Roel Moors.
Staying in Germany’s capital, Game 2 is set for Sunday.
BBL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-five)
A – FC Bayern Munich – MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg 0-0
B – ratiopharm Ulm – Wurzburg Baskets 0-0
C – ALBA Berlin – Telekom Baskets Bonn 1-0 (94-68)
D – Niners Chemnitz – Rasta Vechta 1-0 (83-77)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Winners A-B
Winners C-D
Finals (best-of-five)
Winners of Semifinals
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net