Hapoel Tel Aviv narrowly escaped a massive upset on their home court, needing overtime to fend off a spirited Hapoel Beersheba squad 112-108. The victory at Yad Eliyahu pushes the Reds to an impressive 14-1 record in the Israeli league, keeping them firmly perched in first place.
While the league leaders battled for their lives, domestic rivals Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv also secured victories, ensuring the race at the top of the standings remains as heated as ever. Tuesday night proved that no game in the Israeli league is a guaranteed win.
Red Hots Escape in Overtime
The game did not follow the easy script many fans at the Drive-In Arena expected. Hapoel Beersheba, known as the Southern Reds, came out swinging and refused to be intimidated by the first-place hosts.
Hapoel Tel Aviv found themselves trailing at halftime. The visitors took a surprising 51-49 lead into the locker room, thanks to sharp shooting and aggressive defense that disrupted the local team’s rhythm.
Coach Dimitrios Itoudis had to rally his troops to avoid a stunning home loss. The second half saw the hosts finally find their groove, opening up a double-digit lead that seemed to put the game on ice. However, basketball is a game of runs, and Beersheba had one final push left in them.
Key Players Step Up Under Pressure
When the game seemed to be slipping away in the extra period, Hapoel Tel Aviv’s stars shined brightest. The depth of the roster proved to be the difference maker in the final minutes.
Antonio Blakeney and Johnathan Motley anchored the offense when it mattered most.
Their scoring bursts in the second half helped build the initial lead. Alongside them, captain Bar Timor provided steady leadership in the backcourt. But it was Tomer Ginat who made the play of the game in overtime.
- Tomer Ginat: Grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and scored the go-ahead basket.
- Antonio Blakeney: Provided elite shot-blocking and scoring.
- Johnathan Motley: Dominated the paint to keep the Reds in contention.
Ginat’s grit on the offensive glass gave Itoudis’s side the breathing room they needed to close out the victory.
“In this league, you cannot take any opponent for granted. We showed character tonight when things got tough.”
A Resilient Comeback by Beersheba
Credit must be given to Rami Hadar’s Beersheba squad. They looked defeated late in the fourth quarter but refused to fold.
Down by double figures, the visitors orchestrated a stunning 15-0 run that silenced the home crowd. Damian Dunn and Yoav Vitlem led the charge, shredding the host’s defense possession after possession.
Brandon Angel capped off the comeback with a clutch basket to tie the game, sending the contest into overtime. While they eventually fell short in the extra session, Beersheba proved they can hang with the league’s elite. Their performance served as a warning shot to the rest of the league that the Southern Reds are a dangerous matchup for anyone.
Rivals Keep the Pressure High
Hapoel Tel Aviv was not the only giant to walk away with a “W” this round. The pressure at the top of the table remains suffocating as the other contenders handled their business.
Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem both notched wins, ensuring that Hapoel Tel Aviv has zero margin for error. With the records tightening, every single possession counts.
The victory improves Hapoel Tel Aviv’s record to 14-1.
This maintains their stranglehold on the top spot, but with their rivals winning, the battle for home-court advantage in the playoffs will likely go down to the wire.
The night ended with relief for the Reds, but it raised questions about their consistency. They will need to tighten their defense to avoid future scares. For now, they survive to fight another day, keeping their championship dreams fully intact.
Do you think Hapoel Tel Aviv is showing cracks in their armor, or does this win prove they have the heart of a champion? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
