Hapoel beats Maccabi to even Israeli League finals

The best-of-three series will be decided in Game 3 on Monday at Menora Mivtachim Arena

Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv forced a decisive Game 3 in the Israeli League finals with a 67-85 victory over Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv on Saturday night at Shlomo Group Arena. Xavier Munford started strong and led Hapoel with 25 points on 6-of-11 three-points shooting plus 5 assists. Jaylen Hoard added 15 points and 8 rebounds, Tyler Ennis tallied 11 points and 7 assists, Kyle Alexander also scored 11 and Tomer Ginat combined 10 points and 8 boards. Roman Sorkin paced Maccabi with 16 points, Bonzie Colson scored 15, Lorenzo Brown 13 and Tamir Blatt scored 11 points and dished 9 assists.

The game was stopped in the second minute with the score tied 2-2 after Hapoel fans lit flares. With the score tied 9-9, Ginat and Munford drilled threes in an 8-0 run as Hapoel took control. Munford remained hot, amassing 14 first-quarter points, and Hapoel extended the lead to 29-17 on a Bar Timor triple to end the opening period. Blatt heated up with 5 straight points midway through the second quarter to spark Maccabi, which got within 37-33 on a Josh Nebo slam. Braian Angola and Hoard answered for Hapoel, which held a 46-35 halftime lead.

Free throws by Ennis put Hapoel up 15 early in the second half. Colson scored 4 quick points to ignite a 0-9 Maccabi run that made it 44-50. After a Hapoel timeout, Ennis took charge with 7 points in a 10-0 Hapoel response that gave the hosts their biggest lead yet. It would reach 46-63 on Kyle Alexander’s layup before Sorkin made a three to end the third quarter with the score 49-63. Blatt opened the fourth with a three to give Maccabi hope, but the visitors were unable to mount a serious challenge after that and Hapoel held on to even the series.