Chemnitz – Disappointment was written all over Nelson Weidemann’s face. The Chemnitz player scored 15 points in Braunschweig. Personal best, but ultimately a pattern with no value. The Niners conceded one at the penultimate 71:78 loss.
Coach Rodrigo Pastore (50) was pissed off after the performance in Braunschweig. © Picture Point / Gabor Krieg
“There’s no chance of winning a game in the BBL if we throw and defend like we did this time,” said coach Rodrigo Pastore. “There are no excuses for that. It was disappointing and not good team basketball.”
The Niners have averaged 88 points in previous games. In front of more than 3,600 spectators in the VW Arena, there were 71. Nothing worked, especially from a distance. Of 32 throw attempts, 26 missed the basket.
Top scorer Marko Filipovity had to pass at short notice due to gastrointestinal problems. The Lithuanians Arnas Velicka and Mindaugas Susinskas, otherwise also good shooters, had a pitch-black day. Susinskas got four points, Velicka three points.
Niners Chemnitz have to hunt lions
The best pitcher was Wes Clark, who scored eight of his 16 points in the last quarter. The victory, the first in the ninth (!) home game, was not lost on the Braunschweiger Löwen.
“We couldn’t put our stamp on the game. Braunschweig defended well. We rarely managed to create open throws,” analyzed the reinvigorated Weidemann.
Pastore stated: “We have to get better and we will work on some things.” There really isn’t time for that. On Tuesday, 9 p.m., the Niners will play FC Porto in the Europe Cup. On Friday evening they have to go to Würzburg in the BBL.
