By Eurohoops Team/ [email protected]
The top seed of the Winner League Playoffs, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, eliminated Hapoel Netanel Holon and advanced to the Finals with an 85-73 victory in Toto Arena.
Taking over in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Semifinals, Jimmy Clark III put in seven out of his 14 points. Tamir Blatt posted a 14-point, 10-assist double-double. Jaylen Hoard recorded a team-high 18 points, and Roman Sorkin piled up 13 points, playing through back pain on Friday. On the wrong end, Mike Davis Jr. logged a game-high 23 points.
The new general manager, Claudio Coldebella, was in attendance as the Yellows swept a best-of-three series to clinch a berth in the Finals of the Israeli League.
In addition to Jasiel Rivero and Marial Shayok on the official injury list of the Yellows, Nathan Mensah also remained out of the active roster. Alex Tyus and Jake Cohen stayed on the bench for the team coached by Oded Kattash.
Tied at 1-1, a Game 3 between Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv and Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in Menora Mivtachim Arena on Tuesday will decide the second finalist of the Playoffs.
Winner League Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best of five)
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv – Ironi Hai Motors Ness Ziona 3-0 (96-73, 83-65, 98-75)
Bnei PenLink Herzeliya – Hapoel Netanel Holon 2-3 (78-86, 99-94, 94-86, 96-95, 81-83)
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv – Hapoel Gilboa Galil 3-0 (103-95, 93-78, 86-72)
Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem – Maccabi Ramat Gan 3-0 (81-58, 102-100, 87-61)
Semifinals (best of three)
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv – Hapoel Netanel Holon 2-0 (90-81, 85-73)
Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv – Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem 1-1 (88-85, 87-98)
Finals (best of three)
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv – Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv / Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net