FC Bayern Munich won consecutive games on its home floor for the first time in two months following a 76-72 triumph against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne at Audi Dome on Tuesday night. Andrea Trinchieri's side was able to grab the victory despite having a night to forget on offense, shooting 43.6% on two-pointers and making 11 threes but doing so on 32.4% shooting.
"The game did not look good, but the taste of the win is very good," Coach Trinchieri said afterward.
The key was Bayern's rebounding, as the hosts grabbed 20 offensive rebounds, tying an all-time club record.
"When Bayern takes 20 offensive rebounds, it is difficult to win on the road," stated ASVEL acting head coach Morgan Belnou.
Bayern outrebounded ASVEL 43-32 on the night, but that margin was even larger going into the final 10 minutes, with Bayern having pulled down 18 rebounds through the first three quarters.
Interestingly, Niels Giffey had 9 rebounds, including 5 on the offensive glass, both of which are new career-high marks.
If not for that, ASVEL might have been in control of the game. But rebounding helped Bayern hold an advantage, albeit small, for the majority of the game before Andreas Obst, Giffey and Corey Walden hit crucial fourth-quarter three-pointers to help Bayern grab its 11th win of the season.
