The Yellows are closing in on the championship title after beating city rivals 90-79 at home. Wade Baldwin scored 14. Game 2: on Sunday
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv is just one win away from clinching the Israeli state championship for the 56th time in its history. With a commanding performance, the Yellows defeated their city rivals, Hapoel, 90-79, at Menora Mivtachim Arena and will aim to seal the series on Sunday in game 2.
Maccabi’s decisive victory in the game is largely attributed to its dominance in rebounding. The Yellows secured 38 rebounds compared to Hapoel’s 28, denying the Reds any significant opportunity to gain momentum. Additionally, Oded Kattash’s team demonstrated outstanding defense by forcing Hapoel’s key players into difficult shot attempts.
The game started at a high pace. Both teams traded baskets, with Bonzie Colson’s three carrying Maccabi to a 23-14 lead after 7 minutes. The visitors returned to wrap up the first quarter at 25-22 in Maccabi’s favor, but the Yellows didn’t panic. Five minutes into the second quarter, Jake Cohen’s three-pointer ignited an 11-2 run, shifting the momentum in favor of the hosts. Maccabi held a 43-38 lead at halftime.
Hapoel scored the first basket in the second half, but the Yellow response came fast. Lorenzo Brown nailed two three-pointers, extending the hosts’ lead to 12. Maccabi’s star guard continued to set the pace, providing assists to his teammates and propelling his team to a 67-56 lead entering the final 10 minutes.
The hole just got bigger for Hapoel in the fourth, with Wade Baldwin also joining the celebration and contributing 14 points and nine assists. Yiftach Ziv’s three, four minutes to the final buzzer increased the lead to 19, effectively putting the game away.
Game 2 at Hapoel’s gym promises to be much more challenging, but Maccabi certainly has much to build on following today’s performance.
