Mac TA continues to plow through Adriatic opponents

Tel Aviv took another step on Saturday to ensuring it will enter the Adriatic League Final Four as the No. 1 seed.

By ALLON SINAI
Hendrix 311 (photo credit: Reuters)
Hendrix 311
(photo credit: Reuters)
After learning last week that it will host the Adriatic League Final Four in April, Maccabi Tel Aviv took another step on Saturday to ensuring it will enter the event as the No. 1 seed, improving to 16-1 with an 84-78 road win over Partizan Belgrade.
Maccabi trailed by as many as 13 points (36-23) midway through the second period, but tied the score at 48-48 by the break, before surging ahead in the third frame to build on the momentum from Thursday’s Euroleague Top 16 road win at Zalgiris Kaunas.
Tal Burstein had 18 points, with Sofoklis Schortsanitis adding 12 for Maccabi, which visits Barak Netanya in the BSL on Monday in its final game before hosting Barcelona in a mouthwatering Euroleague showdown on Thursday.
On Sunday, Hapoel Jerusalem is set to welcome back Yuval Naimi from injury when it visits Ironi Ashkelon in BSL action.
Jerusalem struggled desperately during Naimi’s month-long absence and his return will be a welcome boost for new coach Sharon Drucker, who saw his side humbled at home by Hapoel Gilboa/Galil last week.
Maccabi Haifa visits Gilboa on Sunday with interim coach Ofer Rahimi at the helm after the sacking of Mickey Gorka on Friday.
Haifa has lost six straight BSL games, falling to 3-9 on the season, and owner Jeff Rosen is said to be interested in bringing in a big name to the club, with Oded Katash being mentioned as a possible replacement.
Also Sunday, Bnei Hasharon hosts Hapoel Holon and Maccabi Rishon Lezion visits BC Habika’a.
On TV: Habika’a vs Maccabi Rishon Lezion (live on Sport5+Live at 6:45 p.m.); Ashkelon vs Hapoel Jerusalem (live on Sport5 at 8:30 p.m.)