Fresh off an impressive win over Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Derby, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv are back home for another game on Tuesday when they host up-and-coming Maccabi Ramat Gan (6:50 PM Israel time, 11:50 AM ET). The Israeli champs will look to extend their local winning streak to 5, but face a tough opponent who sit third in the standings with a 9-4 record.

Newcomer Joe Thomasson joined Maccabi's practices on Monday, and is part of the 12-men roster for the contest. He will be joined by Antonius Cleveland and James Webb III, who sat out the Derby, while Lorenzo Brown, Bonzie Colson and Jasiel Rivero will be sidelined this time.

Ramat Gan are back in the top tier of Israeli basketball for the first time in 14 years, and are turning heads in the process. The team led by head coach Shmulik Brenner recently added point guard Kendale McCullum, and receive 17.5 points and 6.5 assists per game from him so far. Other notable players on the Ramat Gan roster include guard Alex Hamilton and forwards J.P. Tokoto and Isaiah Miles.

A late 18-2 run propelled Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv to a fifth consecutive Israeli league win on Tuesday, prevailing 92-75 over Maccabi Ramat Gan at home. Tamir Blatt led the charge with 18 points and 6 assists, as five different players in yellow scored in double figures.

Ramat Gan, who came into the game sitting at third place in the standings, gace Maccabi a real fight until the last quarter. The champs, playing without Lorenzo Brown, Bonzie Colson and Jasiel Rivero, struggled to seperate themselves, but a big fourth quarter proved enough for another W.

The game marked Joe Thomasson's debut for Maccabi, as he contributed a solid stat line of 7 points, 4 boards and one steal in just 11 minutes of action. Now Maccabi's focus will turn to a clash with Hapoel Jerusalem in the capital on Friday.