Coach Spahija’s starting five: Jackson, DiBartolomeo, Roll, Bolden and Segev. Jerusalem attacked the paint right from the beginning and got a 6:2 lead three minutes into the game, Jackson and Bolden tied the game at eight apiece with back to back threes. Maccabi got into an early foul trouble but still managed to get the 13:11 lead after both Thomas and Tyus scored. Howell gave the lead back to Hapoel with a three pointer but Thomas also scored one. Cole’s buzzer beater gave Maccabi the 22-20 lead after 10 minutes.

Tyus increased Maccabi’s lead to four points but Eliyahu and Omic gave Jerusalem the 28-24 but Maccabi reacted with Cole and Cohen to give Maccabi the lead. Mashour saw first minutes since his injury and it didn’t take long for him to get back into business with five points, the reds scored from distance to take the 43-39 lead, Jackson and Segev tied the game, Howell set the halftime score from the free throw line as the scoreboard showed 47:46 for the local team.

Roll scored his first points of the game to give Maccabi the lead, from that moment on for numerous possessions both teams struggled to score, Stratos gave Jerusalem the 52-49 lead as the third quarter reached its halfway mark. Jackson and Tyus and Roll completed a 10-0 run that made the locals call for a timeout, Roll scored from downtown again alongside a three point play by Bolden gave Maccabi a 65-55 lead, John-Di’s three pointer ended the third quarter with Maccabi ahead 70-58.

John increased Maccabi’s lead to 14, as the yellows completed a 23-6 run, Daye and Dyson’sthree pointers made it 74-64 as coach Spahija asked for a timeout. Thomas and Jackson reacted quick to give Maccabi an 81-64 lead from which the locals never bounced back as the yellows register their eighth consecutive domestic league 88-71.