By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Hapoel U-NET Holon overpowered Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to edge out the key win, 85-82, and match its opponent’s W-L record in Israel’s Winner League Saturday night.
The hosts connecting 18/39 from beyond the arc was key in the Regular Season Round 23, the opener of the second stage. Hayden Dalton tucked in seven triples ending up with a season-high 24 points. Behind 3/6 three-pointers, Tyrus McGee got 22 points. Chris Johnson knocking in 4/6 recorded 14 points to go along with five assists and four rebounds.
The Israeli League table was split into a couple of six-team groups to wrap up the Regular Season. In the top-placed group, Holon winning forced a tie with Maccabi at 15-8 with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem sitting at 15-7.
Initially digging its way out of an early double-digit hole, the team coached by Avi Even unable to contain the long-range threats succumbed to defeat. Keenan Evans scored a team-high 14 points and Ante Zizic had 13 points in the losing effort.
Besides the domestic league, the team based in Tel Aviv is set to complete the 2021-22 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season schedule by hosting Fenerbahce Beko Wednesday. A win gets the fifth seed and Real Madrid in a best-of-five series, otherwise will settle for the sixth spot and AX Armani Exchange Milan. Working against the home-court advantage belonging to the opponents is a given.
As for the team guided by former Maccabi boss Guy Goodes, it is scheduled to face SIG Strasbourg in France Tuesday, after earning a 1-0 lead in the Basketball Champions League Quarterfinals best-of-three series. Potentially reaching two wins would clinch a berth in the Final Four.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League