By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Scottie Wilbekin and Amar’e Stoudemire paced Maccabi Tel Aviv to an 86-80 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem to continue their undefeated streak upon the Israeli League return.
Wilbekin led Giannis Sfairopoulos’ squad with a game-high performance of 21 points and 10 assists, while Stoudemire also posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Dani Avdjia followed with 11 points and 7 rebounds across 31 minutes on the court.
Hapoel had the upper hand of the game for nearly three quarters, though a 15-3 run by Maccabi in the third period restored balance as the deficit was trimmed to 64-61. The game was tied at 77 points with a little less than two minutes remaining, then Elijah Bryant (11 points) stepped up to give a breather to his team with a 6-0 run, eventually leading it to the victory.
Maccabi now improves to a 22-2 record, still ahead of the race in the standings of the winners’ stage.