Maccabi Tel Aviv won the Israeli league title for the second consecutive time

Jerusalem, June 18 (HS). Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv has won the Israeli Super League basketball championship title for the second time in a row and 57th time overall.

Maccabi won the title by beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 82-74 at home in the third and deciding derby game of the best-of-three playoff finals series on Monday night.

In front of 11,000 fans at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in south Tel Aviv, Hapoel took a 24-21 lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to a strong team defense performance.

Maccabi responded with an 11-0 run led by Roman Sorkin at the start of the second quarter. However, Tomer Ginat and Tyler Ennis brought the Reds back into the game, reducing their margin to 38-39 at halftime.

Points from Xavier Munford and Ginat helped Hapoel take a 54–48 lead in the 27th minute, but Sorkin's contributions allowed Maccabi to reduce the gap to 54–55 at the end of the third quarter.

Crucial points scored by Cuban power forward Jaisel Rivero in the final quarter gave Maccabi the win and the title.

Sorkin was the top scorer for Maccabi with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Rivero added 16 points and 8 rebounds. Enis scored a game-high 17 points for Hapoel.