Fans might not be filling the arena, but everyone understands the high profile challenge, which is coming up. Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Jerusalem as part of the top group (Monday, 21:00, live on Sport5 - channel 55). The reds won their first two games since the Corona break as they're standing in second place with a 19:4 record compared to the 21:2 of the Yellow & Blue.

Due to the pandemic, Hapoel Jerusalem lost J'covan Brown and Tashawn Thomas, two key players who led the club in points, index performance (Brown), rebounds, and blocks (Thomas). Shelvin Mack, Mindaugas Kupsas, also didn't rejoin the squad from Jerusalem. Although the moves, Oded Katash still controls a deep roster, including James Feldine, Suleiman Braimoh, John Holland, Tamir Blatt, Nimrod Levi, and Bar Timor. The State Cup holders added Emanuel Terry, Deividas Sirvydis, and ex Maccabi Jeremy Pargo to their league roster.

"It's not unfinished business because it's a process of games. We are playing against a good team, but we are also one, and this game is nice for Israeli basketball", Said head coach Giannis Sfairopoulos before the final practice. "Surprises? I don't believe either team can show something different. How can you expect both teams to surprise each other if both clubs are playing in an unfamiliar and not perfect condition to play basketball?"

"So I don't believe the teams can do something to surprise, we have our philosophy, and they have there's, and we both know each other. Whoever will be better on the court and make fewer mistakes will win the game".

"All league games are important. We respect all of the teams in the Israeli league, and that's why we succeeded so far", Replied Sfairopoulos when asked about the opposition from Jerusalem. "Certainly, we know the importance of playing against them, and we have to play a good game".

"The conditions of playing basketball these days isn't like it used to be before the Coronavirus", Added the greek coach. "We can understand it just from this interview, you're sitting 2 meters from me, and we are wearing masks".

"It's the same when you play basketball. Our rhythm is not where we want it because we, like all other teams, practiced only for three weeks. We are trying to improve, and we are working on our stability to have better performances during the game".

"We don't need a sense of urgency or a sense of motivation, and we know what we want to do. We've been waiting for this game since we heard the news of coming back", Said Tyler Dorsey before the matchup against the second-placed team. "Jerusalem's roster is pretty similar. Those two guys who left were pretty good, they helped their team a lot, but we got to adjust to the new guys that are as good".

"They're playing well, and we just got to be ready, at the end of the day, it's all about us, so we're not focused on what they're doing, so we are just going to come in and be ready". 

"It is tough as we have to adjust to a real-life action game with no fans", Answered the guard about playing without fans in the stands. "Growing up, you play scrimmages, pickup games, and there's no fan there, so you are used to it in a way, but not in a real action game".

In the past two league fixtures, Jerusalem beat Maccabi Rishon LeZion twice, 84:78, and then 93:86 as both games took place in the capital. In the first meeting between both squads, the Yellow & Blue won 89:73 in Menora Mivtachim Arena. In the second round, the Reds had the strong hand surpassing Maccabi 98:87 in Jerusalem.

In the all-time matchups, Maccabi holds a commanding 98:25 record against Hapoel, as in Yad Eliyahu, the hosts carry a 55:7 advantage.

Four fixtures to the completion of the regular season, Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv took a big step toward securing the first place and hosting the final four in Menora Mivtachim Arena. The Yellow & Blue recovered after a mediocre first half, came back from a 13 point deficit, and stayed undefeated at home in league play with an 86:80 win. Thursday: On the road against Guy Goodes's Maccabi Rishon LeZion.

Scottie Wilbekin, Yovel Zoosman, Deni Avdija, Quincy Acy, and Amar'e Stoudemire opened in Giannis Sfairopoulos's starting five. Like the last game, Stoudemire scored the host's first 4 points while on the other end, Suleiman Braimoh responded with 4 of his own for a 4:4 tie. Wilbekin ignited an 11:2 Maccabi run after dishing three consecutive assists for shots from deep while hitting one of his own, 18:12 Maccabi. In response, James Feldine heated up, connecting for seven straight points, which gave Jerusalem a 19:18 advantage. Ex Maccabi Jeremy Pargo increased the reds lead in the final minutes of the quarter, after 10 minutes, 27:21 Jerusalem.

The visitors continued their positive momentum as Pargo extended the advantage to 11. Still, Wilbekin took it upon himself to bring the Yellow & Blue back within striking range, scoring five straight points, 26:32. Stoudemire reduced the lead down to 4, but Feldine and Braimoh made sure to spike the advantage back to double-digit, 42:31. Wilbekin hit a three on the buzzer of the first half, 47:38 Jerusalem.

Braimoh and Emanuel Terry expanded the lead up to 13, but the hosts shifted the momentum from that point on. Stoudemire drove for a 3 point play, Wilbekin and Avdija knocked in shots from deep, which led to Oded Katash calling a timeout, 49:53. After a 10:0 Maccabi run keeping Jerusalem scoreless for 4 minutes, Pargo cut the dry spell with a bucket, but Avdija and Wilbekin tied the game at 55. The lead swung from side to side; Bar Timor dished two excellent assists, which led to a 6 point Reds advantage. Jake Cohen cut down the lead by half heading to the final quarter, 64:61 Jerusalem.

Cohen added 5 additional points with a dazzling dunk and a tough basket in transition, 65:64. Elijah Bryant and Idan Zalmanson exchanged buckets, as Wilbekin fed Stoudemire inside the paint, 76:74, with 3 minutes left on the game clock. Pargo hit a three-pointer, which gave the visitors a one-point advantage, but from that point out, Maccabi went on a 10:0 run in the final minutes with Bryant scoring 5 of those points. John Holland knocked in three consecutive free throws to close out the game, as Maccabi beat Hapoel Jerusalem 86:80.