By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A strong finish to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 7 match lifted FC Bayern Munich to the win, 74-59, over Crvena Zvezda mts.
Nick Weiler-Babb with 13 second-half points helped create separation in crunch time on his way to a 15-point outing. Wade Baldwin IV also registered 15 points, 11 of those in the first half.
“It’s a great win. After losing against Real Madrid, it was mandatory for us to get the win, especially at home,” argued Baldwin, “They are very, very tough. We’re happy to finish the game rebounding well and guys just made shots at the end that pushed us through. The ability to pass and rebound [was key]. We found open guys and made crucial threes at big times.”
Vladimir Lucic went for 12 points despite a scoreless first half. Jalen Reynolds added eight points and 11 rebounds. Injured Leon Radosevic remained sidelined.
“Two teams who were playing great defense,” mentioned Lucic regarding the low-scoring affair, “They build their game through their defense. It wasn’t the most beautiful game today. But it was important after the loss in Madrid that we bounce back.”
A 13-0 finishing run featured a couple of threes improving Friday’s sum to 11/31. Connecting late from beyond the arc produced the difference for the team passionately coached by Andrea Trinchieri.
“I want to say bravo to my players because it’s not always easy to have this kind of performance on defense, this kind of effort, when you don’t play good on offense,” pointed out the Italian boss, “We didn’t play good on offense because they are a good defensive team. So it was a battle of defense. We gave up fewer than 60 points and it’s a big win. It’s another team win.”
A slim 61-59 lead with just over three minutes left turned into a 15-point final margin got the German outlet to 5-2. Bayern will host Valencia next Friday.
Johnny O’Bryant III’s game-high 17 points went to waste for Crvena Zvezda that was undefeated in the previous three encounters between the two teams in Europe’s premier club competition. Corey Walden followed with 12 points.
“They deserved to win the game,” confessed head coach Sasa Obradovic, “Unfortunately we had our chances but like in many other EuroLeague games, you gotta be smart.”
The visitors dropping one more game on the road, their third, fell to 2-4. Up next, LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Wednesday in France.