German Bundesliga: three clubs reach semi-finals

Bundeliga

The German Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) now has three clubs sitting in the Final Four after the latest round of Quarter-Finals action. EWE Baskets Oldenburg, Bayern Munich, and Brose Bamberg all reached the last four and are now awaiting the winner between the series of Ratiopharm Ulm and Ludwigsburg.

Those two clubs will continue their winner takes all battle in Game 5 of the German Bundesliga Quarter-Finals on Thursday. All the clubs that progressed on Tuesday claimed 3-1 series wins to make it to the next round.

EWE Baskets vs. Bayreuth, 94-86

EWE Baskets looked comfortable for long spells at home as the team secured its place in the next round. The hosts were good for their 94 points, putting together an offensive effort that consisted of 23 assists. Bayreuth’s ill-discipline did not help their cause as the visitors gave 24 personal fouls during the game. Rickey Paulding topped the winners with 18 points and 6 assists, while Maxime De-Zeeuw also dropped 18 points.

ALBA Berlin vs. Bayern Munich, 82-87

ALBA Berlin had home advantage in its quest to tie the series with Bayern Munich. However, the Bavarian visitors managed to edge a road win to progress. Consistency from the charity strip certainly helped Bayern. The club made 85.3 percent of its 34 free shots to claim 29 open points. It was still a close game, which was led by Munich’s Vladimir Lucic and Nihad Djedovic with 19 points.

Telekom Baskets Bonn vs. Brose Bamberg, 67-76

Bamberg’s march towards another title is still on after the reigning two-time champs eased into the Final Four of the Bundesliga. The club is hunting its seventh title in eight seasons and is firm favourite moving forward. Once again, Bamberg was hot from the charity line with 21 points from 24 attempts. The team also harried Bonn and managed to claim 19 turnovers during the game. Nicolo Melli and Nikolaos Zisis scored 15 points apiece in the win.

Ludwigsburg vs. Ratiopharm Ulm, 84-76

Needing a win to stay alive this season, Ludwigsburg turned up at home and delivered a victory to tie the series 2-2. The two clubs now face a winner takes all contest in Game 5, with Ratiopharm having home advantage. The visitors were sloppy and were done for 25 personal fouls, giving Ludwigsburg free ball and free points. Jack Cooley (image) stepped up in the win with 23 points, the highest total across all the games on Tuesday.

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