Alba Berlin feels ready for the top game in the basketball Bundesliga at Telekom Baskets Bonn. In the game of the 31st matchday on Tuesday evening, the preliminary decision will be made as to who will go into the playoffs, which begin in mid-May, as the top of the table and thus enjoy home rights to the final. The capitals are leaders in front of the Bonners, who have the same number of points after defeats and who still have two games to catch up. The Rhinelanders are currently in impressive form and have won 14 games in a row in the league.
“Bonn no longer knows what it’s like to lose,” warns Alba’s managing director Marco Baldi. “They have put on an unbelievable series. They are very secure, almost dominating and convinced of what they do, the roles are clear.” But Alba is also getting better and better, on Sunday she celebrated her eleventh win in a row in a 104:79 against newly promoted Rostock.
With the small and fast build-up player T.J. Shorts Bonn has an outstanding player in the squad. “He’s the type of player who scores points no matter what you do,” said Alba captain Luke Sikma, who was rested against Rostock. “But we have to make him work hard and prevent second chances. We are ready.”
The Berliners expect a sold-out hall with 6,000 fans in Bonn. “Bonn plays with unbelievable intensity and it’s something different in front of their own audience,” says Baldi. “It will be crucial that we stay calm if we concede a run. We have to keep a cool head.” Alba narrowly won the two duels this season in the cup and league.
If they win, the Berliners can hardly take first place with two games left and the direct comparison that is then won. And that would have a second effect: Bayern Munich would be avoided in a semi-final. “Of course nobody wants to play against Bayern in the semi-finals,” agrees Baldi.
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