Alba’s Jaleen Smith fights past Bamberg’s Chris Dowe. He was Berlin’s top scorer with 18 points Photo: City Press
By Nicolas Sowa
It was tough and competitive – but Alba Berlin is only one win away from entering the playoff semi-finals of the Basketball Bundesliga.
In the second quarter-final game, the Berliners defeated Brose Bamberg 97-85 (47-34) in front of 6171 spectators in the Max-Schmeling-Halle on Sunday. It’s now 2-0 in the best-of-five series. The third game follows on Thursday in Bamberg. The best Berlin throwers were Jaleen Smith with 18 and Maodo Lo with 16 points.
Coach Israel Gonzalez was without captain Luke Sikma, who was ill, but Tim Schneider returned to the team after suffering a meniscus injury. Alba got off to a good start and quickly took a 9-2 lead. But then things got hectic. Bamberg tried to counter with a lot of hardness and fouls.
Alba’s Maodo Lo passes Dominic Lockhart from Bamberg Photo: City Press
There were always lengthy interruptions, and the trio of referees had major problems at this stage. There was therefore no sign of the offensive spectacle in the first game and it was difficult to find a rhythm in the game. However, Alba was able to deal with it better and temporarily pulled away to 16 points (45:29). But Bamberg stayed on until the break.
After the change of sides, the hosts drew back to 22 points (60:38). But then they let go too much and Bamberg closed the gap to eight points again at the beginning of the last quarter (76:68).
But Alba didn’t get nervous and in the end brought the lead to the finish.
