1. You Can’t Count Maccabi Tel Aviv Out — At Least Domestically

Maccabi Tel Aviv entered its Winner Cup semifinal against Hapoel Jerusalem in a crisis after opening its EuroLeague campaign 0-3. Yet, at least domestically, the Yellow-and-Blue once again showed why they cannot be counted out, defeating Hapoel Jerusalem 88-71 at Holon’s Toto Hall. The final against Hapoel Tel Aviv will be played on November 9 at 20:55 at the same location.

Will Rayman’s fighting spirit was evident from the opening tip. Maccabi briefly fell into a double-digit hole in the second quarter, trailing 25-15 after a poor stretch, but recovered and showed character before taking complete control after halftime.The problem is that domestic success offers little indication of what lies ahead in the EuroLeague. Maccabi will host Armani Milan in Belgrade on Thursday, with the Italian side entering at 2-1.

Asked whether the win could change the course of the season, Rayman said he wasn’t sure, but called it “a step in the right direction” and pointed to the team’s potential, particularly ahead of its eventual meeting with Hapoel Tel Aviv. He said Maccabi watched extensive film that morning and was determined not to be eliminated from the tournament.

Rayman finished with one point, three steals and a plus-10 rating in 17 minutes. His role, he explained, is to provide energy and physicality, especially when the team needs something extra.
Oded Katash also pointed to one major difference between Maccabi’s domestic and European environments: its fans.

“I’m happy that the players found the strength and energy,” Katash said. “There’s no doubt it’s connected to our fans. We really miss that. We found ourselves falling behind in previous EuroLeague games and weren’t able to come back. I don’t think that would have happened if we had our fans.”

Katash hopes the trip to Belgrade produces a different result, but his comments offered little reason for confidence ahead of another EuroLeague test.

2. The Prodigal Son Returns

Iffe Lundberg had struggled through Maccabi’s first three EuroLeague games, a far cry from the impact he made after joining the team last season.

This time, he was again invisible for most of the night, scoring zero points through three quarters. Then, suddenly, he took over the fourth, scoring all 14 of his points as Maccabi pulled away.

Lundberg finished 4-of-6 from three-point range with four assists against one turnover, two steals, an efficiency rating of 18 and a game-best plus-19 plus/minus.
Maccabi needs that version of Lundberg in the EuroLeague. Jimmy Clark also woke up late. After going scoreless in the first half and scoring just two points in the third, he added five in the fourth.

3. Brissett

Oshae Brissett was Maccabi’s standout performer. He ended the first quarter with a wild buzzer-beating three-pointer off the glass while getting a hand in his face, then took over during the third quarter as Maccabi seized control. Brissett finished with 17 points, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.

4. Lofton

With Jared Harper injured, Kenny Lofton Jr. has emerged as Hapoel Jerusalem’s star. This was his first real test against a EuroLeague-level opponent, and while he led Jerusalem with 16 points, he struggled to impose himself.

Lofton added six rebounds and drew eight fouls, but committed six turnovers against three assists. Despite a 19 efficiency rating, he finished with a minus-21 plus/minus in 29 minutes.
How he responds in the coming games will be worth watching.

“Congratulations to Maccabi, they deserved to win today,” Jerusalem coach Sasa Obradovic said, even removing his jacket as his team began to struggle.

“I think we played very well in the first half, but Maccabi’s individual quality made the difference. Nineteen turnovers is too many for this kind of game. This was our first serious opponent. I’m not trying to take anything away from anyone, but this is a EuroLeague team and we haven’t played one like that until now.”

“Some of the turnovers were unforced. We didn’t adjust to the pace against a EuroLeague team. Maybe this game can be a turning point for them. We need to analyze where the turnovers are coming from, and I have some ideas regarding our shot selection. We need to put this behind us because we have an important game coming up,” he added, with Jerusalem visiting Cedevita Olimpija on Tuesday.

David Roddy scored 12 points on 1-of-5 from three and looked at the defeat as part of the learning process.

“It was a tough game, my first one and the first one for many of my teammates. I want to thank the fans who came out and supported us. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen.

“Unfortunately, we lost, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the journey with this team. We can compete against anyone and the expectation is to win, but there will always be bumps in the road. It’s a day-by-day process. We’ll learn from our mistakes and grow as a team.”

5. The Israelis

On paper, Maccabi’s Israeli contingent gives it an advantage over Jerusalem and most of its domestic rivals. That was evident here, although the gap was largely created by Roman Sorkin.

Sorkin finished with 16 points on 5-of-5 shooting from two-point range and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, while also drawing eight fouls, posting a 22 efficiency rating and a plus-15 plus/minus.

Beyond Sorkin, however, Maccabi got relatively little from its Israeli players. Eitan Burg started well but faded, finishing with eight points. Yovel Zoosman also made an impact early, despite missing a layup and a potentially spectacular dunk, but finished with just four points on 1-of-5 shooting, two rebounds, three steals and a 5 efficiency rating in 27 minutes.

Nimrod Levi went scoreless in 11 minutes, while Gaby Chachashvili, who started, was also held scoreless, going 0-of-3 from the field. Obradovic did not turn to Roi Huber, another Israeli point guard who might have provided some help.

Yam Madar, who has struggled in recent games, finished with eight points on 1-of-7 shooting, four assists and two turnovers. Rayman had one point, while captain John DiBartolomeo remained sidelined after missing Maccabi’s previous two EuroLeague games for his brother’s wedding. With Gur Lavi also injured, Maccabi’s Israeli players contributed 29 points — hardly a huge total, but still more than double Jerusalem’s 12.

6. Harper

Jared Harper was the biggest piece missing for Jerusalem. His return should give the team a significant upgrade at point guard and potentially allow it to challenge Maccabi much more closely. Jalen Smith struggled in his absence, scoring five points on 1-of-4 from three with four rebounds and four assists against three turnovers.

Lorenzo Brown was also unavailable to make his debut against his former team because of a cut on his face. Shake Milton provided an early spark off the bench, scoring 10 points in the first half, but finished with 14 points and five assists against three turnovers.

“We’re missing a point guard, so we had to move players from position to position,” Obradovic said.

7. Wallace

Keaton Wallace remains one of Maccabi’s biggest EuroLeague question marks.

After starring in the first half of the Super Cup against Hapoel Tel Aviv, his impact has diminished. Against Jerusalem, however, he provided a positive sign, hitting two three-pointers in the second quarter and finishing with eight points on 2-of-3 shooting from deep and a plus-12 plus/minus in 16 minutes. Whether that translates to the EuroLeague remains to be seen.

Katash stressed that adaptation takes time, while praising Wallace’s character and describing him as a top-level European player in terms of physicality and athleticism. Maccabi also received 13 points and six rebounds from Jaylen Hoard and four points from T.J. Leaf. Nitai Dodo also saw action. For Jerusalem, Devonte’ Kacok added 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Shahar Loverboim also played.