After defending champion Alba Berlin made an opening mistake, long-time rival FC Bayern got off to a successful start in the Bundesliga play-offs.
The cup winner prevailed in the first duel of the quarterfinal series best of five against BG Göttingen with 87:67 (44:36).
On the other hand, former champions EWE Baskets Oldenburg suffered a home defeat with a 80:90 (45:56) against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.
Bayern didn’t have any trouble in the clash between third and sixth in the main round, even without captain Vladimir Lucic and center Othello Hunter. Both are out for the entire playoffs.
However, the team coached by Andrea Trinchieri dominated the game from the start and steadily extended their lead.
European Championship bronze medalist Nick Weiler-Babb was the host’s best thrower with 15 points, but the most successful shooter of the game was Goettingen’s Mark Smith (16).
In Oldenburg, 31 points from the outstanding Dewayne Russel were not enough for the hosts to win the opening game, the guests were more broadly based. Five Swabian players scored at least ten points, led by Yorman Polas Bar-Tolo (24).
On Sunday, Alba Berlin unexpectedly fell behind after beating ratiopharm Ulm 64:88.
The fourth duel will be contested on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) by the newly crowned Champions League winner and main round winner Telekom Baskets Bonn and the Niners Chemnitz.