FC Bayern Munich has confirmed its playoff ambitions in the Basketball Euroleague. In the 84:77 (42:33) win at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, the Bundesliga leaders achieved their ninth win in their 20th game on Friday evening. Vitoria-Gasteiz won the first leg 81:76. Munich are eleventh, just one win behind Turkey’s Anadolu Efes, who are eighth in the first play-off.
Bayern got off to a bad start in the second leg but recovered during the first quarter. They took the momentum with them; a 17-0 run gave them a 36-24 lead. In this phase, the home side remained without their own basket for more than four minutes. After the change of sides, Bayern had some problems on the defensive. Especially the former Munich player Wade Baldwin set accents (71:73/37.). In the final phase, Munich was able to extend the lead again. Also crucial were the performances of Othello Hunter and Corey Walden, each scoring 17 points.