Barça achieved their goal in Munich to maintain their chances of having home advantage in the quarter-finals. After three consecutive defeats (against Monaco in Palau and on the courts of Fenerbahçe and Panathinaikos), the Blaugrana took advantage of Bayern’s bad moment. Laso’s team has a slim chance of reaching tenth place, the last place that allows them to compete in the “Play-In”, but their current situation is far from ideal for such a challenge. In recent matches, he has had a lot of trouble scoring. Without their main threats outside and inside, Obst and Booker, the Germans’ points are trickling in. Barça has an affordable schedule in the last two days (Maccabi visits Palau and ASVEL); quite the opposite of Bayern who travel to Istanbul (Fenerbahçe) and Athens (Panathinaikos).
Bayern went the first five minutes of the second quarter without scoring. They conceded a partial score of 0-13 and the wall that Barça built in this sequence (21-43) was already impossible for the Germans to face. Barcelona quickly took over the game proposed by the Germans. Failing to score, intensity. As soon as Barça adapted, the match continued to move in the same direction. A partial score of 0-9 ended the local domination and showed that the Blaugrana had happily accepted the challenge. Bayern offered some resistance when Ibaka took center stage or when he was successful from distance. But they never posed a palpable threat. Grimau called to order as soon as the lead was closer to ten points rather than twenty points and the team responded. Satoransky (9 points), Laprovittola (14), Parker (15), Vesely (12), Willy (9)… Barça’s victory in Munich was everyone’s business.
The one that was complicated and the immediate future was very complicated was Baskonia. The Vitorians received a direct rival for the “Play-In” at the Buesa Arena, Anadolu Efes. The Turks had to win or win to continue to aspire to at least tenth place. And they did it with great authority. Clyburn and Larkin were a nightmare for the Vitorian defense. The problem for the Basques is that the two remaining rounds will be played away from Vitoria: they will visit Real Madrid and their direct rival, Virtus.
79. Bayern Munich (19+11+23+26): Edwards (6), Bolmaro (0), Lucic (13), Bonga (9) and Ibaka (17) – starting quintet – Weiler-Babb (17), Harris (6), Francisco (8), Radoncic (1) , Wimberg (2) and Kharchenkov (0).
87. Barcelona (25+22+24+16): Satoransky (9), Laprovittola (14), Kalinic (8), Da Silva (4) and Vesely (12) – starting quintet – Parker (15), Willy (9), Rubio (6), Abrines (3), Brizuela (3) and Jokubaitis (4).
Referees: Belosevic (Ser), Nedovic (Esl) and Balak (Isr). No elimination.
Incidents: 7,200 spectators at the Audi Dome in Munich. Match corresponding to the thirty-second day of the Euroleague.
32nd day: Maccabi, 95-Valencia, 80; Zalgiris Kaunas, 87 years old-Milan, 73 years old; Partizan-Olympiacos; Bayern, 79-Barcelona, 87; Baskonia, 76-Anadolu Efes, 97; ASVEL-Monaco; Fenerbahçe-ALBA (6:45 p.m.); Real Madrid-Estrella Roja (8:30 p.m.) and Virtus-Panathinaikos (8:30 p.m.).
Ranking (wins/losses): 1. Real Madrid (6/25); 2. Panathinaikos (11/20); 3. Monaco (20/11); 4. Barcelona (11/21); 5. Fenerbahçe (12/19); 6. Olympiakos (19/13); 7. Maccabi Tel Aviv (19/13); 8. Virtus Bologna (17/14); 9. Basconia (16/16); 10. Partizan (15/17); 11. Anadolu Efes (15/17); 12. Milan (14/18); 13. Valencia basket (14/18); 14. Bayern Munich (14/18); 15. Zalgiris Kaunas (14/18); 16. Red Star (11/20); 17. ASVEL Villeurbanne (7/24); 18. ALBA Berlin (5/26).