Alba Berlin’s sports director Himar Ojeda praised the team’s defense after the clear victory in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) at Syntainics MBC.
The Berliners scored almost 100 points in Weißenfels, but only allowed a few points at 95:66. “MBC is a very good attacking team,” said the Spaniard. “Congratulations to the team for defending and not letting the opponent get the chance they are used to.”
Alba is known for its attractive offensive basketball, but the Berliners are also statistically the best defensive team in the BBL. The defense will be challenged again on Tuesday when the EWE Baskets Oldenburg come to the Mercedes-Benz Arena (6.30 p.m. / Magenta Sport).
The North Germans, who are actually well staffed, were surprisingly caught up in the relegation battle, but got going after the change of coach to Ingo Freyer and his fast offensive basketball. “They are playing with a completely different dynamic now. We have to defend like we did on Sunday,” said Ojeda and warned: “Oldenburg’s squad is deeper than MBC’s. It will be a difficult game.”
Alba has to pay particular attention to Oldenburg’s guard Max Heidegger. With an average of 18.8 points, he is one of the best pitchers in the BBL and flourished under Freyer. “Heidegger is a machine. He hits shots that seem unstoppable,” said Ojeda. “But we don’t focus our defense on individual players. Our system is based on good team defence.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220411-99-878471/2 (dpa)
