The Telekom Baskets Bonn have advanced to the semifinals of the BBL playoffs. In the decisive Game 5 against the Fitness First Würzburg Baskets, the home team stepped up their game after halftime and ultimately prevailed in dramatic fashion.
It was a fitting conclusion to an extremely physical quarterfinal series: Even in the final Game 5, Würzburg and Bonn faced off less with offensive firepower and more with a lot of scrappy play. Proof of this was the halftime score of 22-30 in favor of the visitors from Würzburg.
It wasn’t until the second half that the pace of the game picked up, largely due to Bonn. With a 16-4 run to start the second half, they took the lead for the first time just five minutes in (40-34). A three-pointer by Grayson Murphy at the end of the third quarter secured the lead heading into the final quarter.
Bonn holds Würzburg’s guard trio to 9-for-44 shooting
The game went back and forth from there, with Würzburg staying within striking distance until the end. Ultimately, however, the visitors were undone by their guards’ inconsistent scoring. Brae Ivey (12), Marcus Carr (10), and Davion Mintz (8) combined to make just nine of their 44 shots.
For Bonn, big man Michael Kessens emerged as the game-winner with a strong double-double (16 PTS, 12 REB). Tylan Birts added twelve points.
While the season is over for Würzburg, the Rhinelanders will face a challenge in the BBL playoffs semifinals in just three days. On Saturday (2:30 p.m., live on Dyn), the fourth-place team in the final standings will visit regular-season champion Bayern Munich, who were able to enjoy just under a week of rest following their sweep of Trier.