Hapoel Holon disposed of Nes Ziona 103-81 as six purple players ended the game in double figures. Prior to the game Netanel Artzi was unveiled as the forward’s signing saga came to an end with the Israel Basketball Association high court approving his move from Eilat to Holon as Guy Goodes’s squad added an important piece to the club.

Both teams came out firing from deep as Tyler Bey scored at will as Ronnie Harrell for Nes Ziona but Niv Misgav and Frederic Bourdillon each went from deep while Hayden Dalton and Joe Ragland also scored for Hapoel Holon but Boudillon added his third triple of the quarter to give the hosts a 33-27 lead after ten minutes of play.

Marvin Jones, Shawn Dawson and Joe Ragland all scored for Guy Goodes’s squad to begin the second quarter, Jerome Meyinsse countered for Elad Hasin’s team as Bey also scored but Ragland kept finding the bottom of the basket as did Misgav to give Holon a 57-47 advantage at halftime.

Chris Johnson started off the third quarter with points a plenty, Ragland scored as well while Dawson out down a monster dunk as Holon ended the period up 83-68 after thirty minutes of action. DJ Cooper, Travis Warech and Harrell started to cut into the Holon lead to begin the fourth quarter, but Misgav, Ragland and Bourdillon all scored to finish off the victory.

“We had a bunch of players in practice which was good as it helps us get ready for the playoffs,” Goodes said. “We wanted to play well and play together and to also play well defensively. If we can be better on the defensive side our offense will also improve, but we can’t just focus on scoring.”

“Holon are the best shooting team in my eyes,” Elad Hasin began. “Just look at their percentages. They can run very well which makes them even more dangerous. We weren’t physical enough and we didn’t get back in defense fast enough. I want to believe that we can put up a fight against these teams some matchup are better than others, but Holon was much better than us. Against Holon you have to play from the first minute or else they will punish you.”

Game MVP Niv Misgav spoke about the game, “We played well together as a team and we were able to move the ball nicely today. We have to continue being aggressive and run and things are looking up for us. Winning games ahead of the playoffs is important and it’s a good way to get as ready as possible.”

Raz Adam also reflected on the game, “Holon is a very good offensive team and we weren’t able to keep up defensively, we gave it way too many points at the half and they also hit 3-pointers at a very high percentage which hurt us. Jerusalem is the best defensive team in the country and perhaps in Europe. We beat them once this season but we will need to move the ball in order to defeat them.”