Jerusalem Hopes to Extend Win Streak Against Struggling Raanana
Match Preview
In a significant clash today, Hapoel Jerusalem hosts Maccabi Raanana for their second home game within four days. The Jerusalem team is eager to secure their second consecutive victory as they aim to cement their position at the top of the standings. Conversely, the newly promoted Raanana arrives in the capital weighed down by a troubling seven-game losing streak and in desperate need of a turnaround.
After an impressive 100-69 victory over Elitzur Netanya, Coach Jonathan Alon’s squad is determined to maintain the offensive momentum that resulted in a season-high 28 assists. With Isaiah Mobley making a strong home debut, the red-and-white team is optimistic about building confidence ahead of two challenging away games against Tel Aviv teams.
Raanana, coached by Shai Segalovich, approaches the match with an 8-2 record, following a 90-79 loss to Hapoel Holon. However, they face difficulties, particularly with rebounding issues and excessive turnovers. The team’s hopes hinge on Tyreese Radford, who recently showcased his scoring ability with 23 points in the last matchup, as they seek to surprise Jerusalem and halt their downward spiral.
Historical Context
The all-time regular-season record between these two teams remains closely contested, with Jerusalem slightly ahead at 8-7. However, the last encounter on April 13, 2002, saw Raanana claim victory at home with a score of 80-71. The performance of Borko Radovic, who scored 20 points that night, led the winning team, while Demetrius Alexander stood out for the reds with 19 points.
Game Start
Starting Lineups
- Hapoel Jerusalem: Justin Smith, Kadin Carrington, Jared Harper, Yuval Zussman, Josiah-Jordan James.
- Maccabi Raanana: Willie Workman, Dalen Kuntz, Joe Ragland, Tyreese Radford, Nate Leshbeski.
The game commenced with a fantastic drive by Kadin Carrington, who scored the first two points. Following that, Josiah-Jordan James completed a spectacular dunk, while Dalen Kuntz recorded the first points for the visitors with a layup.
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