While the series stands at 1:1 after the first two games, Maccabi will host Hapoel as the winner will extend their season and advance to the Final Four. Scottie Wilbekin will not be able to play
Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday for the deciding Game 3 of the Israeli “Winner” League quarterfinals (21:00, Live on Sport5 – channel 55). The winner of the showdown will clinch their ticket to the Final Four and compete for the domestic league title.
The Yellow & Blue ruled out Yovel Zoosman after the guard partially tore his hamstring in Game 2. Scottie Wilbekin will not be able to play after he was sent off in game 2. Quincy Acy’s participation is in doubt, and he will be a game-time decision. Giannis Sfairopoulos’s squad is aware of the importance of the game. In the closing practice before the game, the players showed high intensity and faith in their chances of winning the series.
In Game 1, Maccabi erased a 15 point deficit to overcome Hapoel 67:66. In Game 2, The Yellow & Blue suffered a significant wound to their roster with Scottie Wilbekin’s ejection and Yovel Zoosman’s injury, which led the Reds to tie it up 1:1 with an 82:72 home victory. This was Hapoel’s first derby win in a playoff series since 1991/2.
Throughout the years, the teams have met 50 times during the postseason, Maccabi won 42 of them. As the hosts, the Yellow & Blue hold a 29:2 home record with a +489 point differential.
