By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Last season Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv stopped in the Israeli Winner League semifinals, but this time made it to the finals and opened the championship series with a statement 90-79 win over Hapoel Vegan Friendly Tel Aviv.
Oded Kattash’s side had five players in double digits, with Wade Baldwin leading the way just an assist shy of a double-double with 14 points.
Lorenzo Brown had 13 points and seven assists, Jake Cohen also scored 13, but with five rebounds and assists, while Bonzie Colson also finished with 13 and six boards. Alex Poythress added 10 points for the winning side.
Jordan McRae stood out for Hapoel with 18 points, while Tomer Ginat and Jaylen Hoard both scored 10.
Hapoel gave an excellent fight to the host in the first half, returning twice after being down in double figures. Still, Maccabi continued pushing and finally broke the rival’s resistance in the third period. It was all over after Katash’s team gained a 79-58 lead in the opening minutes of the decisive quarter.
Game 2 of the Israeli finals best-of-three series is scheduled for Sunday, June 11, at 20.15 CET, but this time Hapoel will be the host in a do-or-die game.
Israeli finals:
Game 1: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Tel Aviv 90-79
Game 2: Hapoel Tel Aviv – Maccabi Tel Aviv (11/06)
* Game 3: Maccabi Tel Aviv – Hapoel Tel Aviv
* – if neccecery