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Hapoel Tel Aviv evens basketball quarterfinals, Hapoel Jerusalem reaches semifinals

Vasilije Micic and Oz Blayzer lead Hapoel Tel Aviv past Maccabi Rishon 95-69, forcing a decisive third game, while Hapoel Jerusalem sweeps Hapoel HaEmek to reach the semifinals.

Hapoel Tel Aviv overwhelmed Maccabi Rishon Lezion 95-69 as Vasilije Micic and Oz Blayzer starred for the Reds to even their basketball quarterfinal series at 1-1 and ensured that there would be a third and decisive game on Thursday.

The winner of the series will then tip off against Hapoel Jerusalem in the semifinals.

Dimitrios Itoudis's squad took control of the game from the opening minutes, and thanks largely to a strong performance by Tai Odiase, the host had few answers.

The Reds' defense looked outstanding at Beit Maccabi Arena, holding Rishon Lezion to just 31 points in the first half. On the offensive end, it was Blayzer who gradually found his rhythm, delivering an excellent 20-minute stretch that helped send Hapoel into halftime with a comfortable double-digit lead (42-31).

At the start of the second half, it still seemed that Guy Kaplan's team was within striking distance, as the deficit remained in the low double-digits thanks to solid minutes from Amin Stevens. However, Micić then took complete control of the game and, together with Yam Madar, put on a show, putting the Reds in front, from which the home side could not recover.

Hapoel pull away in the fourth quater

The fourth quarter effectively turned into extended garbage time as the visitors cruised to victory.

Johnathan Motley scored 20 points, Micic scored 18 points, and Blayzer added 16 points for Tel Aviv in the win, while Stevens scored 19 points to lead Rishon, and Gabe Devo had 13 points in the loss.

Micic, the game’s MVP, spoke about the win.

“It was a good performance against a very well-coached team. We had nothing to lose, and we did what we needed to.”

Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Hapoel HaEmek 98-91 to become the first team to punch its ticket to the semifinals by wrapping up a 2-0 series sweep.

Jared Harper starred for the Reds and sealed the game as time wound down to send Yonatan Alon’s team to the semis for the fifth consecutive season.

Alon spoke about the win.

“I wasn’t surprised as to their aggressiveness. We knew it was going to be a battle in a rough-and-tumble game, and that’s exactly what it was.”

Harper, the game’s MVP, added: “This is the first step toward our goal in the playoffs. I don't care who we get in the semifinals; I want to win the championship, and we'll prepare as well as possible for any opponent. We can win it all. There were ups and downs throughout the season, but what matters is right now.”

In relegation playoff action, Ness Ziona swamped Maccabi Ra’anana 96-70 as Bryce Brown starred in the victory that helped Paul Corsaro’s team move further away from the drop zone, while Guni Izraeli’s side remained extremely close to dropping down a division next season.

Brown scored 20 points in the win, and Tyrece Radford scored 12 points in the loss.