Local Hoops: Maccabi looks to stay top of league in Nahariya

Maccabi has been in dire straits in the BSL recently, losing two of three games, including a 101-99 thriller to Holon last week.

By ALLON SINAI
Derrick Sharp 298.88 (photo credit: AP)
Derrick Sharp 298.88
(photo credit: AP)
Five days before it faces Montepaschi Siena in the Euroleague Final Four, Maccabi Tel Aviv has the annoying task of visiting Ironi Nahariya in the BSL on Sunday night. Maccabi coach Tzvika Sherf would have obviously preferred to rest his players so close to the team's biggest game of the season, but on Sunday Tel Aviv could fall out of first position if it doesn't win the tough road game. The yellow-and-blue is just one point ahead of Hapoel Holon in the standings and Miki Dorsman's men will leapfrog the perennial champion into first place should Maccabi lose on Sunday and Holon win. Maccabi has been in dire straits in the BSL recently, losing two of three games, including a 101-99 thriller to Holon last week. Nahariya, on the other hand, is on the up, winning two straight games since coach Roni Bosani took charge. The northern club climbed back into the top four last week and its Final Four fate is now in its own hands. Hapoel Holon hosts Ironi Ramat Gan on Sunday, looking to extend its winning streak to seven games. Holon, which has won 10 of its last 11 league games, lost its last meeting against Ramat Gan, which ended a six-game losing streak last week with a surprise victory at Bnei Hasharon. Also Sunday, Ironi Ashkelon goes for its sixth straight victory at home against Hapoel Afula/Gilboa and Maccabi Rishon Lezion will look to build on last week's win over Hapoel Jerusalem when it visits Hapoel Galil Elyon. Jerusalem and new coach Ziv Erez host Bnei Hasharon on Monday night knowing another loss will significantly hurt their chances of reaching the Final Four.