Jaleen Smith sails to the basket – with 13 points he was the best thrower at Alba together with Johannes Thiemann Photo: picture alliance / Daniel Löb
By Nicolas Sowa
Alba Berlin has also won its second game of the season. On Sunday, the Berliners won 90:80 (42:40) at Brose Bamberg thanks to a good last quarter.
As in the opening win against Hamburg, the double winner of the past season had a lot of trouble for a long time. The best Berlin pitchers were Jaleen Smith and Johannes Thiemann with 13 points.
Coach Israel Gonzalez rotated compared to the season opener. European Championship bronze medalists Maodo Lo and Thiemann returned, while new signings Gabriele Procida and Yanni Wetzell made their debuts in the Alba jersey. That’s what Yovel Zoosman and Ben Lammers were out for.
Maodo Lo (left) circles Bamberg’s Amir Bell Photo: picture alliance / Eibner-Presse
The Berliners started very concentrated and quickly took a 14:7 lead. But Bamberg then fought back.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the hosts even took a 25:24 lead for a short time – it was to be their last. Now it was a hard-fought game. Alba quickly regained the lead, but was unable to break away again.
Albas Christ Koumadje sinks the ball with a dunk Photo: picture alliance / Eibner-Presse
In the third quarter, the Berliners were able to use a strong phase and pull away again slightly (58:49). But this time Bamberg came back. At the beginning of the last quarter, the hosts came within one point (66:65).
But Alba mainly improved defensively in the final phase. Almost four minutes, the lead was double digits for the first time (80:69). And the guests couldn’t take that anymore.