Scottie Wilbekin leads Maccabi to season-first win vs. Hapoel in Israeli playoffs / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Winner League Credit Winner League

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv needed an excellent game on the offensive end to overcome Hapoel Tel Aviv 100-88 (28-25, 20-24, 27-23, 25-16) in Game 1 of the Israeli league's quarterfinals series.

3-pointers this season

36%8,2Points made:8,2Accuracy:36,0%Place in standings:14Record max:16Record min:2Most made 3FGs:Scottie WilbekinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After losing in the previous three derbies this season, the champions started their journey towards a fifth consecutive championship on the right foot in a best-of-five series. Game 2 will be held on Sunday at the Shlomo Team Hall.

Scottie Wilbekin scored 31 points on 8/19 from the field, while Keenan Evans added 18 and Derrick Williams another 14 for the winners.

Avi Even did not register Ante Zizic, Kyrie Thomas and Angelo Caloiaro for the series, as it is not possible to make roster changes from game to game in the series. Maccabi reached the quarterfinals from second place in the table, after finishing the season with a balance of 18-9. Their city rival closed the campaign in seventh place with 14 wins and 13 losses.

Hapoel were paced by Bar Timor's 18 points, while also having another four players in double digits.

The game opened with a great atmosphere and a lot of energy on the court, especially when Derrick Williams flew for two dunks - with Scottie Wilbekin and Keenan Evans scoring threes in between. Cohen and Blazer, who came off the bench, also contributed, and Maccabi led 28-25 after the first ten minutes.

Hapoel cut down the deficit thanks to a Timur's three-point shot and a couple of free throws by Tokoto. J'Covan Brown managed to keep his team close (72-70) until the end of the third quarter, but Maccabi responded with one-on-one plays by Wilbekin and Evans to seal the outcome.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv: Scottie Wilbekin 31 (8/19 FG, 10/10 FT, 5 REB, 3 ST, 5 AST), Keenan Evans 18 (7/10 FG, 2/2 FT, 7 AST), Derrick Williams 14 (6/12 FG, 2/4 FT, 5 REB), Roman Sorkin 12 (5/7 FG, 2/2 FT, 4 REB), James Nunnally 11.

Hapoel Tel Aviv: Bar Timor 18 (6/8 FG, 2/2 FT), James Young 17 (5/11 FG, 4/6 FT), JP Tokoto 16 (7/14 FG, 2/5 FT, 6 REB, 4 TO), Idan Zalmanson 12 (5/6 FG, 4/4 FT, 4 REB), J'Covan Brown 11 (3/8 FG, 4/4 FT, 10 AST, 5 TO).

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