Maccabi Tel Aviv, Holon set up semifinal duel

Maccabi Tel Aviv dominated Hapoel Beersheba with a decisive 108-83 victory, clinching a 2-0 series win and securing their spot in the semifinals. The team will now face Hapoel Holon in the next round.

While Hapoel Beersheba started strong, leading 25-24 after the first quarter, Maccabi Tel Aviv's offense, spearheaded by Jaylen Hoard and Roman Sorkin, found its rhythm in the second quarter. Hoard finished with 19 points, Sorkin added 18, and Marcio Santos contributed 13 points to Maccabi's winning effort. Hapoel Beersheba's Marquis Barnett scored 26 points and LJ Figueroa added 22 in the losing effort.

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Defensively, it took us 14–15 minutes to get into the flow of the game. Overall, I'm pleased with our approach; I think we came in motivated and determined. We didn't start with enough focus, and there were a few shots they made that we could live with. After that, I think we played the right way, offensively as well. Overall, I'm very satisfied.

Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oded Katash expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, noting a slow start defensively but praising their overall motivation and determination. "After that, I think we played the right way, offensively as well. Overall, I'm very satisfied," Katash said.

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It feels good. I'm happy that we were able to do a good job both defensively and offensively. I think we could have played better in the first game, so this was a great response.

Jaylen Hoard, named MVP of the game, shared his positive outlook. "It feels good. I'm happy that we were able to do a good job both defensively and offensively. I think we could have played better in the first game, so this was a great response," he stated.

In another quarterfinal matchup, Hapoel Holon defeated Bnei Herzliya 99-84, completing a 2-0 series sweep. Tray Croft, Adama Sanogo, and Kevion Taylor were instrumental in Holon's victory. Sanogo led the scoring with 26 points, Taylor added 21, and Croft contributed 19 points. Holon coach Predrag Krunic acknowledged the playoff intensity, noting that both teams showed nerves in the first half but ultimately felt his players deserved the win.

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This was a typical playoff game with both teams a bit nervous in the first half. Th