Bayern snaps Khimki winning streak

FC Bayern Munich defeated Khimki Moscow Region 72-65 on Thursday at Audi Dome to move within striking distance of the playoff zone. Nihad Dedovic had 14 points, Vladimir Lucic added 13 and Derrick Williams scored 10 points, while Stefan Jovic chipped in 9 points and 9 assists as Bayern bounced back from a 24-point loss at Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv in Round 10 to improve to 5-6, including a 4-3 mark at home. Khimki was led by 12 points each from Jordan Mickey and Charles Jenkins. Stefan Markovic and Malcolm Thomas both added 10 points in the loss. Khimki, which was playing its second game without injured star Alexey Shved, saw its three-game winning streak snapped in falling to 4-7.

Bayern did a good job going to the basket early on with its first six baskets being either layups or dunks - two layups from Maodo Lo - before Leon Radosevic’s jumper made it 14-8. Jenkins hit a three-pointer and Garlon Green and Mickey also connected from long range for the visitors. The game was knotted at 16-16 after 10 minutes. Bayern continued to work the ball inside including a dunk by Williams and a Jovic layup before Lo hit the hosts’ first three-pointer for a 27-21 advantage. Khimki was able to hit some open shots with Jenkins knocking down a corner three-pointer to make it 31-28, which was the score at the break. Bayern was better away from the basket after intermission and Jovic and Williams both knocked down three-pointers as the lead grew to 43-32. Khimki did not let down and got a three-pointer from Mickey and yet another triple from Jenkins to cut the gap to 47-44. Bayern was able to use a free throw advantage to push the margin to 54-46, but Khimki was down just 54-50 after 30 minutes. Thomas opened the final frame with a three-pointer to make it a 1-point game. Bayern did not let Khimki pull ahead thanks to a Lo layup and Dedovic three. Lucic added a dunk and three-pointer as the hosts took a 65-57 advantage with two minutes to play. Khimki had one more push left as Markovic knocked down a pair of three-pointers to pull within 66-63. Williams and Dedovic combined for 6 free throws in the final 50 seconds for the win.

Game-changing sequence

Khimki was within 60-57 when Vladimir Lucic got out on the break for a dunk and then followed that with a three-pointer that extended the lead to 8.

Pivotal performer

Stefan Jovic came off the bench for Bayern - with Maodo Lo starting the game - but the Serbian playmaker was fantastic running the show with 9 points on 6 shots while dishing out a season-high 9 assists and picking up 1 rebound and 1 steal.

Hope for the best

Bayern big man Devin Booker left the court in the third quarter with an apparent left ankle injury. He did not return the rest of the game and was seen heading back to the locker room during the game.

Next games

Bayern will look to continue its fine play at home as it welcomes Zalgiris Kaunas to Munich. Khimki will hope to end its road struggles when it visits crosstown rival CSKA Moscow.