Maccabi Tel Aviv took the first game of the playoff final series on Tuesday night, routing Hapoel Tel Aviv 96-75 and moving to 1-0 in the title matchup. The team said the victory was built on energy, body language, fighting spirit and commitment, with defense identified as the main key to winning the series. Club sources said the improvement on defense has been clear all season and was the most important factor in this game.
Maccabi dominated the glass with a 37-31 rebounding edge, which helped it generate more second chances and shoot 66% from the paint. It scored 24 second-chance points compared with Hapoel’s 7, forced 19 turnovers while committing only 9, and turned those mistakes into 30 points. Coach Oded Kattash said, “We want to finish the season with the double and win a title,” adding that the shorthanded roster means the team must be more precise and that Hapoel will adjust.
Maccabi led from the fourth minute onward after a fast start, and the club said it stuck closely to the game plan and controlled the offense for most of the night. Captain John DiBartolomeo said the opening win was important because Maccabi had lost three straight games to Hapoel, but stressed that “it’s only one game” and the team must make adjustments for Game 2. Maccabi also credited the home crowd at the arena for helping maintain momentum.
Jalen Hord led the winners with 20 points and 4 rebounds, including 18 points in a strong first half. Oshae Brissett added 16 points and 7 rebounds, Jimmy Clark and DiBartolomeo scored 15 each, Roman Sorkin had 14, and Iffe Lundberg finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds. Late in the game, Clark suffered a leg cramp, briefly went to the locker room for treatment, and returned to the bench in under two minutes; the medical staff said he was fine. The series continues Thursday, and Maccabi says it will approach that game as if the score is 0-0.
