Hapoel Tel Aviv Secures Dramatic EuroLeague Road Win in Belgrade

Hapoel Tel Aviv achieved their first EuroLeague victory of the season, narrowly defeating Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) 81-80 in Belgrade on Tuesday. The Israeli team secured the win on the road after a tough loss in their opening game against Bayern Munich.

Elijah Bryant was the standout performer for Hapoel Tel Aviv, delivering a career-best performance with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals, earning a game rating of 31. Despite trailing at times, Hapoel Tel Aviv maintained control for most of the game, with strong defensive efforts neutralizing the home crowd's impact and limiting the effectiveness of former players Jonathan Motley and Chris Jones.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, described as a "rollercoaster." While Hapoel Tel Aviv generally led, Crvena Zvezda attempted multiple comebacks. A significant 11-0 run by Hapoel Tel Aviv in the second quarter established a double-digit halftime lead.

Despite Bryant's stellar play, both teams struggled with shooting efficiency. Hapoel Tel Aviv shot just 30% from three-point range and 44.4% from two-point range, while Crvena Zvezda posted similar numbers. Vasilije Micić, expected to be a key player, had a difficult shooting night, making only two crucial three-pointers late in the game that ultimately sealed the victory.

Hapoel Tel Aviv will next face Real Madrid in Sofia on Thursday, marking their first encounter since last season's playoff series.