Maccabi Tel Aviv moved one big step toward the championship on Thursday night, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 102-98 in a dramatic Game 2 of the playoff finals and taking a 2-0 series lead. After winning the opener comfortably, Maccabi had to fight much harder this time, erasing an early double-digit deficit and holding on in a tense finish at Menora Mivtachim Arena, which was filled with red.
Hapoel erupted for a 14-0 start in the first three minutes, but coach Oded Katash called a timeout and Maccabi gradually fought back through Oshae Brissett and Roman Sorkin. The game swung back and forth, with Hapoel briefly leading 48-46 at halftime after a big alley-oop from Yam Madar to Jonathan Motley. Maccabi then built its own double-digit cushion in the third quarter, but Madar kept Hapoel alive with outstanding scoring.
Madar finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, but he missed a crucial three-pointer in the closing seconds while trailing 100-97. For Maccabi, Lorenzo Brown scored 25 points and Sorkin added 21 points and 5 rebounds, including a huge late three-pointer and key rebounds. Brissett scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Jaylen Hoard added 14 points and Jimmy Clark 12.
Maccabi is now one win away from its 58th championship. Hapoel has never beaten Maccabi in a finals series and must now win three straight games to take the title. The next game will be played on Sunday at 20:50.
