After being relegated from the Euroleague, Maccabi Tel Aviv at least wants to maintain local hegemony. Tonight (Sunday) she took the first step on the way there, after defeating Hapoel Jerusalem 79:89 in the arena and rising to first place in the league. In order to maintain first place and ensure the home advantage throughout the playoffs, the Yellows will have to win in the two remaining rounds, or alternatively Hapoel Jerusalem will stumble. In any case, at the end of the evening, one playoff series was scheduled, which will bring together Hapoel Holon and Hapoel Galil Elyon.
Thanks to the victory, Maccabi Tel Aviv completed a seasonal sweep (in the regular league) first over the sworn rival since 2011. Keenan Evans and James Nanley stood out with 15 points each, and managed to cover a lukewarm display by Scotty Wilbkin who settled for just eight. John Dibertolomao, Roman Sorkin and Derek Williams also reached double digits when they scored 11 each, while Hapoel Jerusalem received 26 points from Jaylen Adams and 18 from Suleiman Braimo, but not much beyond that.
The first half was still controlled by Jerusalem, with Adams doing as he pleased and finishing the first two quarters with 21 points, but a 0:16 run by Maccabi Tel Aviv before and after the break, gave the signal for a turnaround and a change of momentum that held until the end. Keenan Evans who took Adams as a project in the second half, stopped him on just 5 points later, and also scored some important baskets on the way to victory.
the progress of the game
Quarter 1:
Maccabi Tel Aviv started with a storm and gained a quick 2: 9 advantage, but on the other hand also got cause for concern after Shanta Zizic suffered an elbow from Ogbono and went down to the locker room for treatment. Jerusalem’s reaction was quick: Jaylen Adams sniped two threes and completed a 0: 8 run that shifted the lead to its side. Retin Obasohan also woke up and took advantage of the yellow color of the Yellows to score 5 consecutive points, but the defense on the other side was not particularly impressive, and Maccabi Tel Aviv finished the quarter with an advantage. 23:24.
Quarter 2:
Jerusalem started the quarter better, and took advantage of Scotty Wilbkin’s rest minutes for a 0: 7 run that gave them the record advantage so far, 24:30. Jerusalem control continued, and Jaylen Adams continued to do whatever he pleased with the soft defense. On the other side Roman Sorkin recorded a good few minutes, and a three by James Nanley signed a weak half for him with minimal damage to the Yellows, who fell behind 48:44.
Quarter 3:
As in the first quarter, this time too Maccabi Tel Aviv started the second half well. Keenan Evans’ 4 straight points gave the signal for a 0: 9 run, and a three by James Nanley set a 48:53 for the Yellows and forced Yotam Halperin to take a timeout. Jerusalem continued to present a confused attack, but Maccabi Tel Aviv failed to open a double-digit advantage. Braimo closed the quarter with two points that narrowed the gap to67:74 To Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Quarter 4:
Maccabi Tel Aviv opened a record advantage at the start of the quarter, with a three by John Dibertolomao that set 12 points – 71:83. But Jerusalem did not give up: on defense they continued to narrow the steps of Scotty Wilbkin who got stuck on 8 points, and on offense came back slowly with a sequence of good actions by Suleiman Braimo. The Jerusalem inside player also sniped an important three that reduced the difference to only 6, 76:82, with three minutes left. The difference was reduced to 5, but Keenan Evans’ free throws and another important basket by Dibertolomao closed out interest. 79:89 To Maccabi Tel Aviv at the end, and now the battle for first place is in its hands.
statistics
Scored for Maccabi Tel Aviv: Keenan Evans (8 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 turnovers) and James Nanley 15 each, Derek Williams, Roman Sorkin and John Dibertolomao 11 each, Ante Zizic 10, Yiftach Ziv and Scotty Wilbkin (3 from 9 from the field) 8 each. Oz Blazer and Jake Cohen partnered and did not score.
Scored for Hapoel Jerusalem: Jaylen Adams 26, Suleiman Braimo 18, KC Rivers 11 (7 rebounds, 4 assists), Retin Obasohan 9 (4 assists, 5 turnovers), Adam Ariel 6, John Agbono 3, Will Workman and Noam Dovrat 2 each .