Hapoel Tel Aviv Beats Maccabi 105–87 as Micic Hits Nine Three-Pointers

Hapoel Tel Aviv defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 105–87 at Menorah Mivtachim Arena on November 1, with Vasilije Micic scoring 31 points and making nine three-pointers. The away victory in the fourth round of the Israeli basketball league lifted Hapoel to three wins and one defeat. It was Hapoel’s fourth consecutive regular-season derby victory, a first for the club. Micic made nine of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc, setting a personal best in the Israeli league. Hapoel finished with 19 three-pointers from 31 attempts, approximately 61%. Dimitris Itoudis’s side led 26–22 after the opening quarter, 59–47 at halftime and 83–63 after three quarters. Antonio Blakeney added 18 points and Tai Odiase scored 17. Tamir Blatt scored nine points on his Hapoel debut against his former club. Yam Madar led Maccabi with 18 points, followed by Roman Sorkin with 15 and Bonzie Colson with 14. Maccabi sporting director Claudio Coldebella said, “It is a difficult defeat.” He urged the team to remain united and spoke about helping the players regain confidence. This was Maccabi’s second consecutive league defeat. Hapoel had lost 70–60 to Hapoel Jerusalem in its previous league game. Maccabi had won the teams’ earlier Super Cup encounter 101–83. The Tel Aviv rivals are scheduled to meet again on November 9 in the Winner League Cup final, eight days after this derby.