Tel Aviv, which scored a Euroleague record 43 points in the fourth quarter to beat Siena 97-82, will battle Madrid for first position in Group F on Thursday.
By ALLON SINAI
Three days after securing its place in the Euroleague quarterfinals with a sensational victory over Montepashchi Siena, and four days before it visits Real Madrid in another crucial continental game, Maccabi Tel Aviv turns its attention back to the BSL on Sunday night when it hosts Hapoel Gilboa/Galil.Tel Aviv, which scored a Euroleague record 43 points in the fourth quarter to beat Siena 97-82, will battle Madrid for first position in Group F on Thursday, with the winner clinching home-court advantage in the best-of-five quarterfinal series and also likely avoiding a meeting with title favorite Barcelona.However, before it focuses on its game in Spain, coach Pini Gershon will hope his team can avoid a slip-up in the BSL against a dangerous Gilboa side.Oded Katash’s men snapped a three-game losing streak last week, but were far from convincing in the 87-83 victory over Maccabi Rishon Lezion and are still searching for the early season form which saw them begin the league with a 9-2 record.One of those two defeats came against Tel Aviv, with Maccabi winning 98-91 in Gan Ner after a tight game.The in-form Hapoel Holon, which has beaten Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa in the past two weeks, visits Rishon Lezion on Sunday in a battle for a top eight playoff position.Holon has won three of its last four games, while Rishon has dropped four straight.Also Sunday, Hapoel Afula hosts Ironi Ramat Gan and Ironi Nahariya visits Ironi Ashkelon.Maccabi Haifa welcomes Bnei Hasharon on Monday.
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