Maccabi finished the first half ahead and despite a third quarter comeback by Hapoel comeback Spahija’s squad remained poised as they got the win. Tyus (17P & 8R) finished with MVP honors, Jackson added 14P, John-Di 13P and Jake had 12P
Coach Spahija’s starting five: Jackson, John-Di, Kane, Bolden
and Tyus. The yellows started the game with back to back threes by Kane and Jackson (6:0). The reds reacted with a 5:0 run, but Bolden scored four in a row as the yellows took the 10:5 lead. Limonad kept the visitors in the game 15:12, the reds went on a 6:0 run forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout with Maccabi trailing 15:18. Kane turned great defense into instant offense as he sparked a 6:0 run (21:18), but the reds managed to finish the first quarter ahead 21:22.Roll scored at the beginning of the second quarter as he sparked a 10:2 run (31:24), but Hapoel managed to stay close to Spahija’s squad with Ginat making it 31:29. Hapoel Tel Aviv started to capitalize as they took the 33:37 win forcing Coach Spahija to call for a timeout, Bolden
and Tyus gave the lead back to the hosts (39:37). As the first half came to an end the yellows managed to take the 45:42 lead.The visitors started the second half with a 6:0 run to take the lead; but Tyus reacted (47:48), Jackson’s mid-range jumper kept Maccabi in the game (49:51). Howard increased the visitors lead to 52:57, but this time it was Cohen scored for Maccabi (54:57), McNeil scored a
three pointer (54:60) as coach Spahija called for a timeout. Jackson and John-Di scored as the yellows tied the game (65:65) with two minutes remaining in the third, but the reds took the 65:68 lead again. Bolden’s hustle payed of as he tied the game, Cohen and Roll completed the comeback as the yellows finished the third quarter ahead 71:68.Hapoel got closer to Maccabi at the beginning of the fourth but Roll’s
three pointer kept the visitors at bay (76:72), Roll kept doing his thing with a floater to put the yellows ahead 78:72. Limonad scored for Hapoel Tel Aviv but John-Di reacted with a four point play as the yellows continue to impose their will (82:74), Tyus made it 85:74 from the line but banks reacted with five points forcing coach Spahija to call for a timeout with the scoreboard showing 85:79. Tyus and Jackson made it 88:82. Limonad scored a three pointer but Tyus managed to set the final score in a fashionable way: with a dunk as Maccabi claims the 90:821 win.
