In the midst of a major crisis with eight consecutive losses in the Euroleague, less than a week after the dramatic loss in the derby at home, Maccabi Tel Aviv came tonight (Saturday) with its back to the wall and won 78:83 in the most prestigious game that Israeli basketball has to offer, in the arena against Hapoel Jerusalem .
The Yellows, this time in blue, came into the game as an injured animal and finally also played that way.
Yannis Sapropoulos' team jumped on every ball, fought every pass and also led in many stages.
Oz Blazer, the ultimate fighter, scored 11 points in the first half and marked the way for his teammates.
Usually Maccabi Tel Aviv needs a heroic display by Scotty Wilbkin to win such games, this time it worked out even without him (Sapropoulos, hear?).
Derrick Williams in one of his best games in Israel, including a big basket 1:15 to the end and a huge block 20 seconds to go and John Dibertolomeo in a wonderful game were tremendous in the second half and arranged the precious victory that might interrupt their team's bad period and also narrow the gap from Jerusalem to the top.
Maccabi Tel players are happy, tonight at the arena, Photo: Alan Shiber
Zizic skates fun in the arena, Photo: Alan Schieber
Hapoel Jerusalem suffers a second loss in 11 games during the Yotam Halperin era.
Who knows, maybe before the important period that awaits her may be, this loss may turn out to be good for her.
The sick Sean Kilpatrick did not play and Anthony Bennett who registered in his place did not contribute anything, so the Reds played with only four foreigners.
A good offensive display by Jaylen Adams was not enough.
Noam speaks of a premiere in Jerusalem.
Noam speaks at Hapoel Jerusalem's premiere, Photo: Alan Shiver
Hapoel Jerusalem fans in the arena, Photo: Alan Shiver
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, tonight at the arena, Photo: Alan Shiber
Uri Alon also came to the arena, Photo: Alan Shiber
Yannis Sapropoulos in a meeting with Yotam Halperin, Photo: Alan Shiver
Hapoel Jerusalem celebrates, Photo: Alan Shiver
Janissapropoulos frantically on the lines, Photo: Alan Schieber
Yiftach Ziv Barna, Photo: Alan Shiver
Yotam Halperin with Adam Ariel, Photo: Alan Shiber
Jake Cohen celebrates with his friends, Photo: Alan Schieber
Yiftach Ziv from Basot Arena, Photo: Alan Shiber
Adam Ariel does not understand, Photo: Alan Shiver
Itai Segev in action at the arena, Photo: Alan Shiver
Sapropolus at a recent briefing, Photo: Alan Schieber
John Dibertolomao after 2 points, tonight at the Arena, Photo: Alan Schieber
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