Maccabi Tel Aviv Balances EuroLeague Prep With Domination of Kiryat Ata

Maccabi Tel Aviv dispatched Hapoel Kiryat Ata 116-89 on Monday, but the result mattered less than the message: Oded Katash’s squad navigated a demanding EuroLeague double-week hangover without cracking, then turned immediately toward Thursday’s showdown with Real Madrid.

Captain John DiBartolomeo, 36, drained a career-high seven three-pointers for 21 points in just 22 minutes. The yellow-and-blue led by 27 at halftime, allowing Katash to distribute minutes evenly across his roster — a luxury created by early dominance.

“We had good energy and focus,” DiBartolomeo said. “It’s not easy after a tough double week, but we were happy that we could come in and begin the game well, which isn’t something to take for granted.”

Katash acknowledged pregame concern over missing guards, but TJ Leaf (17 points), Armando Bacot (16), and debutant Shane Hunter (double figures) filled gaps. The win keeps Maccabi perfect domestically while the real test awaits in Madrid.

Hapoel Jerusalem faced a different calculus. Sasa Obradovic’s side trailed Hapoel Beersheba 30-30 at the break before a 9-0 third-quarter surge — sparked by Lorenzo Brown — flipped an 88-74 win. David Roddy led with 16 points, but Obradovic seethed postgame.

“We came in sloppy and not focused,” he said. “Even if the team we played didn’t have big-name guys, we have to be serious. The second half we were better, but we had to take this game better.”

Jerusalem hosts Rigas Zelli in EuroCup play next — another balancing act between domestic survival and European ambition.

Hapoel Tel Aviv required a halftime intervention. Down 48-46 to Maccabi Ashdod at the Drive In Arena, Dimitrios Itoudis delivered a blunt assessment: “You cannot come here, put on the Hapoel jersey, and play without an effort.”

Eugene German exploded for 31 points as Hapoel held Ashdod to 19 second-half points in an 81-67 win. Tomer Ginat added 12. The Reds now pivot to Bologna in EuroLeague action.

Elsewhere, Bnei Herzliya outlasted Ironi Ness Ziona 103-96 in double overtime behind Zack Bryant’s 23 points. Coach Yehu Orland eyes Wednesday’s Basketball Champions League clash with Porto, where advancement hangs in the balance.

Hapoel HaEmek routed Maccabi Rishon LeZion 80-60 days after firing head coach Sharon Avraham. Interim Golan Jablonowsky watched his team erase a halftime deficit with a 50-27 second-half blitz. Malik Hall dropped 30.

Hapoel Eilat improved to 2-0 with a 78-69 win over winless Hapoel Holon, while Galil Elyon edged Maccabi Ramat Gan 104-101 in a game that featured a 16-point fourth-quarter lead nearly squandered.