Hapoel Tel Aviv Stuns Maccabi, Cuts Championship Series Deficit to 2-1

Hapoel Tel Aviv kept its title hopes alive on Sunday night with a 78-72 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Game 3 of the Israeli playoff final. The victory reduced the best-of-series deficit to 2-1 and forced a fourth game, denying Maccabi a chance to sweep the series and clinch its 58th championship.

Hapoel entered the game facing elimination after losing the first two games, but responded with a determined performance under coach Dimitris Itoudis. Vasilije Micic and Yam Madar led the visitors in a physical, tense derby, while Hapoel opened strongly, going ahead 8-2 and finishing the first quarter up 25-20 after a late Madar run.

Micic controlled much of the second quarter, repeatedly setting up teammates and helping Hapoel build a double-digit lead before Maccabi, led by Jimmy Clark and Rokas Jokubaitis, cut into the gap. At halftime Hapoel still led 43-36, and the third quarter remained tight as Maccabi battled back with offensive rebounds and timely baskets, trimming the margin to 56-55 entering the final period.

Maccabi briefly seized momentum early in the fourth quarter when Clark hit two three-pointers to put the hosts ahead 63-59, but Hapoel answered through Micic, Madar and Ish Wainright. The Reds were sharper in the closing minutes, defended well, and held on to extend the series. The championship battle now returns for Game 4, with pressure once again on both teams.