Alba Berlin forces Game 5 in Basketball Bundesliga finals with win over Bayern

Alba Berlin forced a decisive Game 5 in the Basketball Bundesliga championship series by defeating defending champions Bayern Munich 71-61. The victory evened the series at 2-2 in front of a roaring crowd of 8,899 spectators at the Max-Schmeling-Halle.

Justin Bean was the top scorer for Berlin with 17 points, while Nenad Dimitrijevic led Bayern with 14. The game was hard-fought, with both teams starting intensely. Despite early struggles with missed shots, Andreas Obst hit a notable three-pointer from near half-court. Neither team could establish a significant lead in the first quarter, which Berlin won 26-23.

Bayern briefly pulled ahead, leading 42-35 by the 18th minute after an 11-0 run. However, Alba managed to cut the deficit to three points by halftime. "We need to increase the pressure more," Justin Bean stated at halftime, emphasizing the need for better defense as 45 points allowed was too high.

The second half saw fatigue set in, with numerous fouls and missed long-range shots. Bayern extended their lead to 52-42 after a slow start to the third quarter. However, Alba mounted a furious comeback, taking a 55-54 lead with a three-pointer late in the third quarter and extending it to 58-54 by the buzzer. They further widened the gap to 68-54 in the fourth, securing a comfortable lead. Bayern managed only 16 points in the second half, and Alba ultimately held on for the win.

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We need to increase the pressure more. It has to come through defense, 45 points is too much.