Compensation was announced. After the defeat in the basketball Bundesliga during the week, the MHP giants caused a surprise in the cup.
Look, the Ludwigsburg! After the surprising defeat during the week in the basketball Bundesliga against newly promoted Rostock, the MHP giants set an exclamation mark in the DBB Cup late on Saturday evening – and are in for the first time since the introduction of the new knockout mode in 2018 entered the second round. After that, the 92:86 (61:69) at the Veolia Towers Hamburg did not look good for a long time, although coach Josh King had announced before the game: “Hamburg will get to know us from our best side today.”
After a strong start (9:0), the game was open for a long time before Hamburg took over the game more and more after the break and temporarily led by eleven points (28th minute). King was correspondingly angry, who repeatedly criticized in a hot voice during the time-outs: “The opponent gets easy points.”
The wake-up call worked. In any case, his team put in a very strong last quarter (31:17) in front of 2287 spectators. With an intensive defense and a concentrated offensive. The not yet uncontroversial former NBA professional Isaiah Whitehead shone increasingly in the game, ultimately scoring 21 points. Yorman Polas Bartolo’s performance was no less impressive. With a double-double: 12 points and 14 rebounds. “As captain, I have to set a good example,” said the 37-year-old after the game.
Not the last in the cup competition on 3./4. December will be continued with the quarterfinals. The draw will be made on Monday evening. Then the giants are already on their way to the next game: on Wednesday in the Champions League at Hapoel Jerusalem.
