As if six years hadn’t past since the last derby, Maccabi Tel Aviv thrashed
Hapoel Tel Aviv 91-72 at Nokia Arena on Sunday night to claim a sweet victory in
Israeli basketball’s ultimate grudge match.
The showdown between the Tel
Aviv clubs was the highlight of the Israeli basketball season for over 50 years
and much like most of those past encounters, Maccabi was the dominant force yet
again on Sunday.
Hapoel’s short roster gave the yellow-and-blue a fight
for much of the first half, but the hosts pulled ahead in the closing stages of
the second period and secured the win in the third frame.
Lior Eliyahu
led Maccabi (7- 1) with 20 points, while Ricky Hickman scored 15 and Devin Smith
and Yogev Ohayon added 12 points each.
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