Holon looks to snap streak, stay alive

Hapoel Holon’s season will be in real danger of already ending later this week should it fail to snap its three-game losing streak against Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday.

Jerusalem’s 78-73 win over Holon at Malha Arena last week in Game 1 of the best-of-five BSL quarterfinal playoff series was the team’s third straight over Dan Shamir’s side, all coming over the last three months.

Holon beat Jerusalem when the teams first met this season in December, but the Reds have won all three encounters since Sharon Drucker took charge of Jerusalem in place of Oded Katash.

Significantly, Jerusalem also beat Holon 80-70 on the road just last month and will know a fourth consecutive victory against its nemesis will allow it to wrap up the series and book its place in the Final Four when it hosts Game 3 on Thursday.

“Jerusalem forces us to change our game and we will have to find solutions for that,” said Holon coach Dan Shamir.

Also Sunday, Maccabi Ashdod will look to move into a 2-0 lead against Maccabi Rishon Lezion when it hosts Game 2.

On Monday, Hapoel Gilboa/Galil, which ended the regular season in second place, faces a crucial game at Ironi Ashkelon after losing the series opener at home, while Maccabi Tel Aviv visits BC Habika’a.