By Stefan Djordjevic/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi had a 13-point lead (69-56) with three minutes left but Hapoel bounced back and Tomer Ginat made the layup to tie the game at 71 and send it into overtime. However, Maccabi had everything under control in the extra five minutes and grabbed an 85-76 road win in the Israeli League.
Scottie Wilbekin led the winning side with 18 points followed by Micahel Roll’s 16 and John DiBartolomeo’s 15 points. For Hapoel, Jerrel McNeal scored 18 in addition to Ginat’s 13 points but the latter also had complete control overt he paint with 21 rebounds.
It was a tense game that started with DeAndre Kane getting spat on by Hapoel fans who also threw objects towards him. Kane reacted and he was ejected. After the game, Maccabi coach Giannis Sfairopoulos refused to attend the press conference.
Maccabi improved to 25-6 and secured the first place while Hapoel now holds a 13-18 record.