Brose Baskets Bamberg - Ludwigsburg
Germany - BBL, Round 29
The outcome of the duel between Brose Baskets Bamberg and Ludwigsburg, in the 29th round of the German BBL Bundesliga, is not easy to predict. But, there are many more certain scenarios regarding this match than just the question of the winner.
Brose Baskets Bamberg, a nine-time Bundesliga champion, only five years ago played in the Euroleague. Now the team from Upper Franconia is in a situation where, for the first time since 2001, there is a big chance that they won't qualify for the playoffs. They are currently in the tenth position in the table, with three consecutive defeats. On their home field, against the favorites, they will play with a clear imperative to win.
On the other hand, Ludwigsburg is deservedly in the fifth position, and after a series of four defeats in the second half of March and the beginning of this month (all duels against favorites), the triumph arrived last weekend against Crailsheim, 82:77.
How Ludwigsburg plays is best evidenced by the fact that at least 160 points were scored in each of those four defeats (matches against teams from the Euroleague Bayern and Alba, as well as the leader in the table Bonn and Ulm, who plays well in the Eurocup this season).
On the other hand, in the last two matches of Brose Baskets Bamberg, at least 205 points were scored! Last week away from Heidelberg, Bamberg lost 109:100, in a match that was played from start to finish in a fierce attacking rhythm.
A similar pace should be expected in the match against Ludwigsburg. The visiting team is first in the league with as many as 67.7 shots from the field per match – and Brose Baskets Bamberg is fourth with 65 on average. A match with many short attacks absolutely suits both of them.
With a possible loss, five rounds before the playoffs, Brose Baskets Bamberg (13-15 in the table) would be left with significantly less chances to climb to the eighth place. On the other hand, a victory would launch Ludwigsburg (16-11) to the fourth position, for which the club from the province of Baden-Württemberg is fighting, because it guarantees the advantage of the home field at the start of the playoffs.
Brose Baskets Bamberg have won 62 of 89 matches against Ludwigsburg, but it is the rival who has won in their last four encounters. Even in the variant of the early resolved winner, or in the case of an exciting duel, a large number of points can be expected. And this match is a beautiful treat for basketball neutrals, who will certainly enjoy a duel with a large number of three-point shots and a lot of transition play.