By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
A solid showing in the fourth quarter powered Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem to the 83-76 victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Pais Arena Sunday.
Speedy Smith poured 17 points and dished out seven assists in the Winner League Regular Season Round 27 contest. Zach Hankins threw in 16 more points and earned seven fouls en route to a game-high efficiency rating of 25. Former Maccabi forward Oz Blayzer contributed 14 points. Khadeen Carrington and Mareks Mejeris did not dress.
Guided by Aleksandar Dzikic, the next game is against Lenovo Tenerife in the Basketball Champions League Final Four Semifinals on Friday. Telekom Baskets Bonn and hosting Unicaja shape the second contest for a spot in the championship game to be played on Sunday, following the third-place game.
On the opposite end, heading to deciding Game 5 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Playoffs, the team coached by Oded Kattash will take on AS Monaco in Salle Gaston Medecin Wednesday. A couple of days following the battle for a ticket to the Final Four, the home game against Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv will conclude the Regular Season in Israel’s top-tier division on Friday.
Jarell Martin recorded a game-high 18 points for the Jerusalem visit. Wade Baldwin IV had 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Apart from Jalen Adams (shoulder) and Austin Hollins (knee), the Yellows additionally ruled out Lorenzo Brown, Suleiman Braimoh, and Bonzie Colson.
In Shlomo Group Arena, Tomer Ginat posted a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double, and J’Covan Brown dropped 19 points, seven assists, six steals, and four rebounds for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the win, 103-91, against Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona.
The team coached by Danny Franco can secure the top seed and force Maccabi down to second place with a win in the approaching direct collision, otherwise will settle for third with the Jerusalem outfit accordingly landing second or third.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League