She has not played pre-season games, she has barely trained, five of her key players are trying to get back on track after contracting the corona virus, but Maccabi Tel Aviv like Maccabi Tel Aviv is doing what it knows how to do best: win important games and reach the finals.
The Yellows defeated Hapoel Jerusalem, the great rival, in an impressive 65:81, in the semi-finals of the Winner's Cup and reached the final where they will meet Hapoel Eilat on Sunday (20:45) in a battle for the first title of the 2021/22 season.
The Reds who are in a more advanced stage of the preparations started strong and led in all stages of the first half.
The last 20 minutes were a completely different story.
Jaylen Reynolds (22 points, 6 rebounds and a 24), in his first game of the new term in yellow, took control of the game and dismantled the red front line - Thon Maker and Anthony Bennett scored 8 points in almost 30 minutes together.
Yiftach Ziv, who despite the doubts fits in well with the champions, did not score in the first three quarters, but in the last quarter he sniped two huge threes and added a basket of high difficulty that completely overwhelmed Hapoel Jerusalem.
Sean Kilpatrick showed that he should be the owner of Hapoel Jerusalem's offensive house next season with 16 points, including some huge threes (4 from 7 to 3), but other than that only two other players scored in double digits.
That way it is impossible to beat Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. First final of the season on Sunday, Photo: Alan Shiver
Jerusalem fans, today, Photo: Alan Shiver
Yiftach Ziv.
Great ability of the talented guard, Photo: Alan Schieber
Dibertolomeo in front of the Jerusalem defense, today, Photo: Alan Shiber
A red celebration in the first half.
That was not enough, Photo: Alan Schieber
Micro and Ariel disappointed, today at Drive In, Photo: Alan Shiver
Reynolds Celebrates, Today, Photo: Alan Schieber
Sapropolos in a frenzy, today, Photo: Alan Schieber
Sapropoulos celebrates at the end, Photo: Alan Schieber
Wilbkin thanks the audience at the end, Photo: Alan Schieber
Wilbkin tests his strength, today at Drive In, Photo: Alan Shiver
