The Israeli champion’s powerful performance improves their record to 6:1. Wilbekin was unstoppable, scoring 29 points (8 three’s) as Zizic recorded an extraordinary double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds)
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv returned to the Israeli Winner League with a dominant performance beating Hapoel Jerusalem 101:80 in Menora Mivtachim Arena, lifting their record to 6:1. Scottie Wilbekin erupted for 29 points, hitting eight three-pointers – tying a club record for most triples in a regular-season league game. Ante Zizic was a commanding force in the paint, finishing the contest with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Giannis Sfairopoulos’s squad looked great from the tip-off till the final whistle, forgetting Tuesday’s loss to Zenit. Zizic led the Yellow & Blue in the first couple of minutes, controlling under the rims. Elijah Bryant, who contributed 17 points, had a crucial contribution in the win. Omri Casspi marked a milestone on Thursday, recording his 1000th point in the Israeli league. Maccabi’s next opponent is Hapoel Tel Aviv in the State Cup Quarterfinals.
Maccabi started with Scottie Wilbekin, Yovel Zoosman, Elijah Bryant, Angelo Caloiaro, and Ante Zizic in the opening five. Oded Katash began with Tamir Blatt, Chris Kramer, Jamil Wilson, TaShawn Thomas, and Suleiman Brahimo.
The hosts opened the contest with a slam by Zizic, followed by two triples by Wilbekin as Brahimo and Blatt scored 10 of the visitor’s first 13 points, 12:13. Casspi knocked down his first two of the night, the Croatian big man and his counterpart Dragan Bender continued to dominate inside the paint as a Casspi jump shot, and Zoosman’s layup closed out the quarter with a 24:18 edge after 10 minutes.
The Yellow & Blue added on to their excellent first quarter finish opening a double-digit advantage, which led to a Katash timeout after Bryant laid in two and Zoosman drilled a three-pointer, 34:24. Zizic added on to his remarkable first half, recording his 14th point after working beautifully in the post. Adam Ariel and Malcolm Hill reduced the edge down to 6, but Wilbekin kept firing from deep, and Bryant attacked the rim, maintaining a comfortable lead midway through the quarter.
John DiBartolomeo came off the bench for Bryant and produced a lot of energy to the court in the closing minutes of the half, distributing assists to Wilbekin and Zizi, who scored Maccabi’s final 14 points. 55:43 at halftime.
Zizic found his countryman Bender who slammed it down, and Byrant contributed his first shot from deep, 62:47. Jerusalem shot in four consecutive three-pointers, but Wilbekin stayed hot on the other end, his 7th triple out of 10 tries, and scored 9 straight points opening a 17 point margin, 74:57.
Casspi’s drove to the bucket and laid in two marking the 1000th domestic point of his career. Closing out the quarter, Zoosman, Bender, and Oz Blayzer converted from the charity strike, helping Maccabi build a significant edge, 81:66.
Blayzer connected with DiBartolomeo, who drilled a shot from beyond the arc. Next possession, the Israeli forward knocked down a three after an outlet pass by the Yellow & Blue captain, 87:71.
Zizic added extra points in the paint, Wilbekin hit another triple, and Bryant laid in two inside, holding a 17 point edge. DiBartolomeo scored the 100th and 101st point of the night, closing it out with an impressive 101:80 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem.
