The top duo of the BBL didn’t miss a beat in the new year either. Alba Berlin and league leaders Bonn Baskets celebrated successes.
On Tuesday evening (01/03/2023) the Berliners won in the basketball Bundesliga at home in front of 6,142 spectators against the Fraport Skyliners Frankfurt with 99:74 (46:36). This means that the defending champion remains the first pursuer of leader Bonn in the table. The best Berlin throwers were Tim Schneider with 22, as well as Jonas Mattisseck and Yovel Zoosman with eleven points each.
Stuttering start, then Alba gets better
At first, both opponents found it difficult to get into the game. Alba coach Israel Gonzalez had given captain Luke Sikma and Jaleen Smith, who had been in good form recently, a break. In the first game of the new year, however, both sides still lacked the rhythm and so there were only a few baskets to see at first.
Towards the end of the first period, Alba came into play more offensively. At the beginning of the second quarter, the lead even grew to 21 points (38:17). But then the hosts allowed themselves too many ball losses and brought the Hessians back into the game. The game was now much more even.
Towards the end of the third quarter, Frankfurt punished Berlin’s many mistakes and suddenly it was their turn again (61:55). But that seemed to have been a wake-up call for the capitals. After that they were able to settle down again. In the end, the two Frankfurters Matt Haarms and JJ Frazier were eliminated with five fouls. And Alba finally brought the victory to the finish in a sovereign manner.
Bonn Baskets confidently win against Ulm
The Baskets Bonn meanwhile won easily at ratiopharm Ulm with 101:92 (52:43), Tyson Ward again led his team as the best thrower with 18 points to a sovereign victory.
Bonn are still at the top of the table with 12 wins from 13 games, followed by Alba with one game and one win behind. On January 15th there will be a big summit meeting in Berlin.
Bayern consolidated third place against Rostock
Bayern Munich consolidated third place with the 78:65 (53:30) at newly promoted Rostock Seawolves. Andrea Trinchieri’s team celebrated their eleventh win in their 13th league game, with Bayern Munich’s most successful scorer being Cassius Winston with 14 points.