Walker and Clark Set to Return as Maccabi Tel Aviv Seeks Finals Spot Against Holon

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Holon today at 3:00 p.m. at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Game 3 of the semifinal series, with a chance to complete a third straight win and clinch a place in the playoff final. After two convincing victories, Oded Katash’s team is one win away from advancing to meet city rival Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the arena is expected to be packed with thousands of yellow-clad fans after the first game was played without spectators.

Maccabi is expected to bring Jimmy Clark back to the roster after he missed six games with a hip and groin injury. Clark has returned to full fitness and will be available again, especially after Tamir Blatt was injured in the last game and diagnosed with a small calf tear, making his return before the end of the season doubtful. Lonnie Walker is also expected to return to the squad after sitting out the previous game. The American missed the series opener because of the security situation and unusual events at the time, and he is set to replace David Efianayi.

Holon, meanwhile, believes it can still revive the series despite trailing 2-0. The club thinks an upset at Menora is realistic if it can produce a much better performance than in the first two games. Trey Croft, who missed both games after a stomach injury that required a quick surgical procedure, remains a serious doubt. The medical staff will assess him in the coming hours before the lineup deadline, but the expectation is that the club will not take risks and Javin McCormick will likely stay in the squad in his place.