Jerusalem, 17 February (HIST). Maccabi Tel Aviv won 90-85 over Champions League team Hapoel Jerusalem in the Israeli Super League Clasico on Friday. With this victory, Israeli champion Tel Aviv reached second place with 9 wins and 3 losses.
The first 20 minutes were close in front of 11,000 fans at Jerusalem's Pace Arena, with Jerusalem leading 22–20 at the end of the first quarter and going into halftime with a 45–45 tie.
The third quarter began with a three-pointer by Jerusalem point guard Speedy Smith. However, Maccabi took the lead 73–57 at the end of the third quarter led by Josh Nebo and Roman Sorkin.
Guard Levi Randolph then tried his best to spark a comeback for Jerusalem and cut the gap to 80-86 46 seconds before the final buzzer, but Maccabi maintained its momentum and ultimately won 90-85.
Sorkin contributed 20 points and Nebo had 12 points and nine rebounds for Maccabi. Randolph scored the highest 33 points for Jerusalem.