Maccabi claims its 57th Israeli championship

A strong fourth quarter made the difference as Maccabi won for the sixth time in seven years

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv outlasted crosstown rival Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv 82-74 on Monday night to win the Israeli League championship for the 57th time. After trailing by 1 at the start of the fourth quarter, Maccabi outscored Hapoel 28-19 in the final stanza to lock up the title.

The winners were led by their big men as Roman Sorkin posted 19 points and 9 rebounds, Jasiel Rivero added 16 and 8 and Josh Nebo contributed 12 points. Lorenzo Brown added 12 points and 5 assists for Maccabi. Tyler Ennis led Hapoel with 17 points, Tomer Ginat and Xavier Munford scored 15 each and Jaylen Hoard had 11 in defeat.

Hapoel jumped out to a 2-7 start and when Hoard heated up the margin grew to 14-21. John DiBartolomeo and Sorkin combined on a 7-0 run to tie things before Munford’s triples gave the visitors a 21-24 lead after 10 minutes. Three-pointers by Rafi Menco, Tamir Blatt and Sorkin fueled an 11-0 Maccabi run. Ginat and Hoard answered to bring Hapoel within 34-29. Hapoel’s frontline continued to shine and a triple by Ennis brought the visitors within 39-38 at the break.

Braian Angola’s steal and three-point play gave Hapoel the lead at the start of the second half. Kyle Alexander and Ginat kept Hapoel ahead, with the lead reaching 48-54. Sorkin and Brown drew Maccabi within 54-55 at the end of the third quarter. Maccabi regained the lead on a three by Blatt to begin the final stanza of the season. Brown and Sorkin scored in a 7-0 run to give Maccabi breathing room. Rivero extended the margin to 68-59 with 3 and a half minutes to go as the home fans started to celebrate. Hapoel never gave in, but Maccabi was too strong down the stretch.