Albas Yanni Wetzell (right) was the best Berlin thrower with 19 points (archive picture) Photo: picture alliance/dpa
From the BZ editorial team
Alba Berlin has continued its winning streak in the basketball Bundesliga. The Berliners celebrated a 91:85 (43:40) work victory at the Crailsheim Merlins on the 21st matchday.
With the twelfth success in a row, the Berliners consolidated their lead in the table. Best throwers for Alba were Yanni Wetzell with 19 and Tim Schneider and Jaleen Smith with 17 points.
Berlin coach Israel Gonzalez had to do without captain Luke Sikma (muscular problems) and national player Maodo Lo (after angina) in addition to long-term injured Marcus Eriksson. In addition, playmaker Tamir Blatt was rested, so Alba did not get into the game well.
The team allowed themselves ball losses, had no throwing rhythm and was defensively without access. Only after the 2:9 deficit did it get a little better.
With a 16:16 we went into the second quarter. The game was not very impressive, even if both teams did a little better offensively. Alba initially fell back by six points again before the team also scored better from the outside. Two threes by Tim Schneider brought the 43:40 lead to the break.
The Berliners started the third quarter more concentrated and consistent. They continued to control the rebound and took a double-digit lead for the first time in the middle of the section at 60:49. However, Crailsheim was not to be shaken off.
In the final phase, the hosts came back to a point. But the Berliners kept their nerve and brought the lead over time. Alba goes into the cup final tournament at the weekend with a hard-fought success behind her.