By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Tel Aviv beat archrival Hapoel Tel Aviv 84 – 74 at home and extended its Israeli Winner League undefeated record to 16-0.
Amare Stoudemire made his debut with Maccabi and finished with 11 points (4/4 2-pointers, 3/4 free throws) and a rebound in 15 minutes. The four-time NBA All-Star was also informed of Kobe Bryant’s death during the match, with the news visibly shocking him.
Quincy Acy (12 points, nine rebounds), Othello Hunter (12 points, five rebounds), and Elijah Bryant (12 points) stood out from Maccabi. Latavius Williams produced 23 points and 14 rebounds for Hapoel that is now 17-6.
During the game, Maccabi and the fans paid tribute to Kobe Bryant.
Maccabi fans honoring the memory of @kobebryant during the Tel Aviv derby ? pic.twitter.com/1kW4v3762x
— Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) January 26, 2020
And after the game, Maccabi’s coach Giannis Sfairopoulos also commented on the tragic death of Kobe.
Coach Giannis Sfairopoulos didn't talk about winning the derby, only about the tragic loss of @kobebryant ? pic.twitter.com/aBqdcK3UGw
— Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) January 26, 2020