Maccabi Tel Aviv Seeks a Spot in the Playoff Final Against Hapoel Holon

Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Holon today at 3:00 p.m. at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Game 3 of the semifinal playoff series, leading 2-0 after an 84-74 win in Holon in the previous game. Jalen Hoard starred in that victory with 30 points and 15 rebounds.

Maccabi is short-handed. Tamir Blatt injured his calf in Game 2 and is expected to miss action until the final, while leading scorer and shooter Lonnie Walker will also be absent, having missed the entire series because of the security situation. The one positive for coach Oded Katash is the return of Jimmy Clark, who is back after missing six games with an injury.

Holon also has a roster problem, with Terry Crouth out because of an abdominal injury and left off coach Krunic’s squad. Katash wants to finish the series today rather than be forced into a fourth game, as happened last season when war prevented a league champion from being crowned.

If Maccabi wins, the playoff final will be an all-Yellow-and-Red derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv, which advanced after two wins, including one by forfeit over Hapoel Jerusalem. The final will be a best-of-five series, and the first team to reach three victories will win the championship.