MLP Academics Heidelberg grabbed a massive victory in their fight against relegation as they defeated Veolia Towers Hamburg 83-79 on the road for their fourth win in the last five games. Recent acquisition Justin Jaworski poured in 31 points to help Heidelberg improve to 7-20 - including their first in the easyCredit BBL versus Towers. Hamburg suffered a setback in their hopes to challenge for an automatic playoff spot in falling to 13-13 with four losses in their last five games. Aleksander Dziewa had 23 points and William Christmas added 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Game Summary: Aleksander Dziewa started hot with 8 points in a 10-7 Hamburg lead after 4 minutes. Hamburg pushed forward with a 10-0 run to lead 15-7. After Heidelberg ended a scoreless stretch of more than 5 minutes, Hamburg led 18-9. Marcel Keßen came off the Heidelberg bench and sparked the guests within 21-19 after 10 minutes. The second quarter was tight throughout though Heidelberg managed to lead 33-29. Hamburg held Heidelberg to just two free throws and reclaimed the lead 37-35. The guests were up 42-41 at the break.
Heidelberg’s defense gave up just one point in the first 2 minutes and five straight points from Justin Jaworski had Heidelberg ahead 47-42. Hamburg evened the game 52-52 only to see the guests move back up by five points 57-52. Heidelberg never let Hamburg take the lead and were up 64-60 after 30 minutes. Hamburg tallied the first five points of the final frame to reclaim the lead. Neither team could score for more than 2 minutes and the home side led 70-67. Jeffrey Carroll hit two triples and Jaworski also hit from deep and Heidelberg were up 76-72 with 4 minutes to go. Hamburg responded and a Dziewa triple put Hamberg ahead 79-78 before Jaworski made it 80-79 with 97 seconds left. Down 81-79, Hamburg star Aljami Durham missed a layup and Jaworski made both free throws for an 83-79 advantage.
Numbers Please: Heidelberg came into the game allowing the second-most three-pointers made (11.3) and the highest opponents three-point percentage (41.3 percent). Hamburg however made just 4-of-19 triples for 21.1 percent. And Heidelberg made 11-of-31 three-pointers for 35.5 percent despite being the worst long range shooting team in the league at 31.4 percent for the season.
Player of the Game: Justin Jaworski did it all for Heidelberg with 31 points including 5 three-pointers and the game-deciding free throws in the final seconds. He also tallied 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
The Germans: Bennet Hundt came off the Heidelberg bench and scored 15 points with 2 rebounds. Marcel Keßen chipped in 6 points and 5 rebounds before fouling out. At the other end, Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann picked up 7 points and 5 rebounds for Hamburg.
Also Newsworthy Pt 1: Heidelberg finally tasted victory in the easyCredit BBL against Hamburg having lost their first five games against the northern Germans thus far.
Also Newsworthy Pt 2: Hamburg came into the game with an 11-1 record against teams behind them in the standings and a 2-11 record against teams in front of them in the standings. Those numbers are now opposite as Hamberg's loss dropped the first mark to 11-2.
What's Up Next: Hamburg will next head back on the road for a big game with play-in games implications at Bamberg Baskets on Sunday 14 April. Heidelberg will stay on the road and take on MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg on Saturday 13 April.
Video: Highlights of this game will be available soon on Dyn's website or here on Dyn's YouTube channel.
Anmerkung: In der Saison 2023/24 werden wie hier auch gelegentlich Nachberichte in englischer Sprache verfasst.
Note: During the 2023-24 season, there will occasionally be game reports published in English.
