Israeli League, Regular Season, Game 12: February 10-11, 2008
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Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv bounced back after losing the Israeli Cup Final by thrashing Ironi Ramat Gan 111-65 to maintain sole possession of first place in the standings, while cup winner Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem was still in hangover from its achievement and was knocked 94-75 at Holon. David Bluthenthal and Yotam Halperin scored 18 each to help Maccabi to its biggest win of the season, avenging its last Israeli League defeat to Ramat Gan, which at the time led to head coach Oded Kattash’s resignation. In Holon, P.J. Tucker posted 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the home team to victory, acheved with a huge fourth-quarter run. Jerusalem was without forward Jaime Arnold who traveled to the USA for personal reasons. Bnei Hasharon easily beat Gilboa/Afula 81-68 to remain in second place – one win behind Maccabi with an 8-4 record. Meir Tapiro and Ousmane Cisse each recorded 16 points and 6 rebounds to lead Bnei Hasharon. In other games, Galil Elyon earned an important 68-69 road win at Rishon Lezion, while Ironi Ashkelon lost at home 67-91 to Ironi Nahariya and as a result head coach Eric Elfasi was fired.
Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv bounced back after losing the Israeli Cup Final by thrashing Ironi Ramat Gan 111-65 to maintain sole possession of first place in the standings. Maccabi needed to regain some confidence and it sent out a message that what happened on Thursday was a one-time slip. The big loss in the first round of the league to Ramat Gan, one of Maccabi's worst defeats in history, only added motivation to Zvika Sherf's men, who easily won the one-sided game. Maccabi took a 31-17 lead already after one quarter, and by halftime led 57-32. The Yellow machine kept on pushing and everybody who came off the bench added more pressure on the visiting side, on the way to Maccabi's biggest win of the season. David Bluthenthal and Yotam Halperin scored 18 each for Maccabi, Omri Casspi added 15 with 4 assists, Terence Morris had 11 with 9 rebounds and 5 assists, while Alex Garcia scored 11. Ori Itchaki and Jerome Beasley scored 16 each for Ramat Gan.
The big celebrations after the huge win in the cup finals on Thursday night had their effect on Jerusalem as it slipped to a 94-75 loss at Holon. The home team, which lost to Hapoel in the cup semifinals exactly a week ago, pushed right from the start. P.J. Tucker and Malik Dixon carried Holon to a 30-18 lead, on the way to a 41-32 halftime lead. After the big comeback on Thursday, this wasn't a big challenge for Hapoel and indeed Timmy Bowers and Ramel Curry led Hapoel on a 3-13 run, to take a 44-45 lead and enter the last quarter tied at 62-62. But that's when Holon took over. Holon's aggressiveness played a big role, and after Dror Hagag fouled out, the hosts took over the game. Back-up point guard Guni Izraeli led Holon to a big fourth quarter as Jerusalem was called on flagrant and technical fouls that helped open a double-digit lead and earn a big W. Tucker led Holon with 21 points and 11 rebounds, Tre Simmons added 19 with 6 rebounds while Chris Watson scored 14. Bowers led Hapoel with 25 points and Curry added 14.
After its debut ULEB Cup season, Galil is now more focused on domestic games, and earned a big road win at Rishon Lezion. The visitors suffered from a bad shooting night from long range, and hit only two out of 17 shots, but showed big dominance on the boards, out-rebounding Rishon 30-43. Galil held the lead right from the first quarter until the end of the third, but didn't manage to take off at any points. The teams separated at halftime with Galil up 34-37. Clif Brown and Jai Lewis dominated the paint, but Rishon played tough and stayed in the game. Jarel Blessingame turned the game over in the fourth as Rishon took a 68-60 lead, but then it was time for Galil to save the game. Lewis and Aaron Nixon led a 0-9 Galil run and a steal by Gili Mosinzon with four seconds on the clock secured the win. Juan Mendez led Rishon with 17 points and Blesssingame added 14. Lewis had 17 points and 7 rebounds for Galil, Nixon added 14 and Brown scored 13 with 8 rebounds.
LAST GAME GAME 12
February 10-11, 2008 | | Day | Match | Result | | Feb. 10 | Eldan Ashkelon vs. Naharya | 67-91 | | Feb. 11 | Rishon Lezion vs. Galil Elyon | 68-69 | | Feb. 10 | Maccabi Elite vs. Ramat Gan | 111-65 | | Feb. 11 | Hapoel Holon vs. Hapoel Jer | 94-75 | | Feb. 10 | Hasharon vs. Gilboa/Afula | 81-68 |
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NEXT GAME GAME 13
February 17, 2008 | | Day | Match | | Feb. 17 | Hasharon vs. Ashkelon | | Feb. 17 | Gilboa/Afula vs. Holon | | Feb. 17 | Hapoel J. vs. Maccabi Elite | | Feb. 17 | Ramat Gan vs. Rishon L. | | Feb. 17 | Galil Elyon vs. Naharya |
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| STANDINGS | TG | W | L | P+ | P- | | 1 | Maccabi Elite | 12 | 9 | 3 | 1113 | 972 | | 2 | B. Hashron | 12 | 8 | 4 | 976 | 915 | | 3 | Hapoel Jerusalem | 12 | 7 | 5 | 986 | 964 | | 4 | Nahariya | 12 | 7 | 5 | 1009 | 999 | | 5 | H. Holon | 12 | 7 | 5 | 982 | 906 | | 6 | Ramat Gan | 12 | 6 | 6 | 1059 | 1096 | | 7 | M. Rishon | 12 | 4 | 8 | 926 | 942 | | 8 | Gilboa/Afula | 12 | 4 | 8 | 960 | 1026 | | 9 | Galil Elyon | 12 | 4 | 8 | 1031 | 1115 | | 10 | Ashkelon | 12 | 4 | 8 | 982 | 1089 |
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Sunday, February 17, 2008
Yarone Arbel, Tel Aviv
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