By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After missing the opportunity in regulation, FC Bayern Munich knocked out Baskonia after five extra minutes.
Overcoming brilliant showings by Codi Miller-McIntyre and Markus Howard, the German side prevailed, 112-109, in overtime on Tuesday.
Howard and Chima Moneke fouling out in the extra period hurt the team guided by Dusko Ivanovic.
Nearing his best scoring performance in the 2023-24 campaign, Serge Ibaka dropped 21 points alongside seven rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal. “We knew it was not going to be easy,” he reacted to the narrow victory, “We were there. Every time they were coming at us, we were ready to respond.”
Getting the job done for Bayern, Nick Weiler-Babb connected a 30th combined three-pointer for a three-point lead with 16.2 seconds left. The Round 24 shootout saw his side end up with 13/27 triples versus 17/35 for the visitors. Including the game-winner, the defensive specialist contributed seven points, three assists, two rebounds, and one block.
“I am using the games at the highest level to get in shape physically and basketball-wise,” said team captain Vladimir Lucic after producing seven of his 17 points in the five extra minutes. The experienced Serbian forward returned to action in December after a long spell on the sidelines.
Olympiacos is next for Pablo Laso’s Bayern
Snapping a two-game losing streak in BMW Park without Isaac Bonga (ankle), Niklas Wimberg (ankle), and Devin Booker (ankle), the team coached by Pablo Laso went up to 10-14, including 7-4 at home. Forcing the two-time EuroLeague champion’s hometown team to 12-12 reduced the distance from the Play-In zone. Completing the two-game continental week, Olympiacos visits Munich on Thursday.
“For me, defensively they are one of the best teams in Europe,” Laso previewed the next demanding challenge, “They are missing players. Probably because they did not have the whole squad, they lost some games. But it is always difficult to match up against them. They always play with a lot of energy.”
Baskonia falls short
In catchup mode after falling into a 13-point hole during the second quarter, Miller-McIntyre and his teammates refused to give up. Extending the three-point theme, the Wake Forest product forced five extra minutes with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation. His 20-point, 15-assist double-double was not enough for Baskonia. Five rebounds and one steal added to a game-high performance index rating of 39.
“Next time we are up by three points, we are going to foul,” revealed Laso commenting on Miller-McIntyre beating the offense clock and his side’s defense.
Coming off at least one three-pointer in 20 straight games and leading EuroLeague with 3.7 triples per contest in the 2023-24 Regular Season, Howard tucked in 7/12 from beyond the arc en route to game-high 27 points. However, the explosive guard missed his last four attempts for three points and was limited to three points between the fourth period and overtime until picking up a fifth foul with 1:45 left in the extra period.
Also dealing with foul trouble, Moneke was forced to an early exit with 4:14 remaining in overtime. The rebounding leader in the EuroLeague ended up with three boards to go with 13 points. Matt Costello was up to 18 points and five rebounds before hurting his ankle and leaving the game with 47.2 seconds left. Already on the injury list, Chris Chiozza (knee) was unavailable for head coach Ivanovic.
“We needed patience in the most important part of the game,” the Montenegrin tactician explained the defeat.
Coming in with six wins in 11 away games this season, Baskonia fell short of yet another triumph on the road. Returning home, the next opponent is Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net