Real Madrid edges Hapoel Tel Aviv in Euroleague series opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv downed Elitzur Netanya

Meanwhile, in local action, Maccabi Tel Aviv downed Elitzur Netanya 102-92 as the duo of Jimmy Clark and Jaylen Hoard were able to help the yellow-and-blue make a late game comeback to secure the victory.

Hoard, Clark, Lonnie Walker and Roman Sorkin all scored with ease early on for Maccabi Tel Aviv but Maurice Kemp, Cameron Oliver and Otis Frazier rallied Netanya to grab a 48-43 advantage at halftime.

Amit Gershon continued to help the diamond city squad to stay in front while Kemp kept doing damage, but Clark and Hoard kept piling in points to take the lead in the final frame and hold on for the win.

Clark scored 26 points, Hoard added 21 points and Sorkin out in 18 points for Tel Aviv in the victory while Kemp led Netanya with 19 points, Gershon chipped in with 17 points and Oliver scored 15 points in the loss.

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oded Katash was reflective after the game.

“We lost a bit of concentration. We have some tough challenges, we need to maintain a high energy level and that’s not so simple. Maybe it will help when we go back to playing twice a week. We’re missing an Israeli player at the power forward position and you could feel that Iffe Lundberg, who made his return, is not yet in rhythm. These are not easy challenges. I’m happy we found a way to get it done. Netanya has size, they won the rebounding battle, but we found a way to win.”

Netanya bench boss Eli Rabi also shared his thoughts on the game.

“We lost by 10 points and it’s frustrating. The starts of each half are what caused us to chase and that’s a shame. In certain parts of the game I was proud of the guys, but I couldn’t get them to start the halves the way we needed and at the end of the day we didn’t perform well enough.”

Hoard discussed the win and looked ahead to the Israeli Classico on Sunday.

“It was amazing to play in front of the fans, it’s a special feeling to play here. We haven’t been here for a few months. The fans supported us, also in the Euroleague. Coming up we have Hapoel Jerusalem and we’ve had tough games against them as it’s always complicated to play against them, but I enjoy playing there and hope we’ll win.”

Hapoel Holon shocked Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Holon shocked Hapoel Jerusalem 103-95 in overtime as Yair Kravits almost notched a triple-double, coming one rebound short of accomplishing the feat as the guard dominated the extra session to take the win.

Adama Sanogo got off to a hot start for Hapoel Holon while Khadeen Carrington, Nimrod Levi and Cassius Winston kept Hapoel Jerusalem close. However, baskets from Idan Zalmanson, Kravits and Netanel Artzi gave the Purples a 49-43 lead at halftime.

Darin Green started to fill the basket for Predrag Krunic’s team, Levi responded for Yonatan Alon’s squad, Sanogo and Justin Smith traded baskets while Jared Harper started to score but the visitors stayed in front 72-64 after 30 minutes. Smith and Winston kept pouring in the points while Levi hit a pair from deep to give the Reds a slim lead, but Kevion

Taylor from the outside and inside sent the game into overtime knotted up at 87-87.

Kravits scored from the outside, inside and the line while Taylor and Sanogo also scored to take the thrilling victory.
Sanogo scored 24 points, Green added 19 points while Kravits scored 19 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory while Winston scored 23 points, Smith put in 22 points and Levi scored 19 points for Jerusalem in the loss.

Hapoel Holon coach Krunic spoke about the win.

“I think it was a really good basketball game and the guys really fought hard and did their best. We spent a lot of energy but the guys believed that we could win against a very good team. Even when Jerusalem took the lead we didn’t stop and we found the power in overtime to win the game, our fans pushed the team as well.”

Hapoel Jerusalem’s Alon reflected on the loss.

“There are a lot of reasons why things are not going well and we have to work hard as we have a lot of things to fix and there needs to be a sense of urgency. The team had a tough season and we are missing some players like Yovel Zoosman and Austin Wiley and it’s not easy to play when the team was put together around these players.”
Kravits spoke about his team’s win.

“It was a great game and could have gone either way but we really controlled it and we took the win. I’m happy that we were able to play our basketball and we just didn’t worry about how many fouls we had and played hard. We have a lot of guys that are really enjoying themselves and playing for this team.”

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