30th of May was the last time Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv played an official home game, that was against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Winner League quarter-finals, the team continued to win the Final Four in Menora Mivtachim Arena (Neutral court) but since then didn't get to play or practice much at their home court. This week, the Yellow & Blue are coming home.

Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv will host Hapoel Eilat the evening after Sukkot (Monday, 20:45, live on Sport5) to their first home game of the season. On Thursday, Red Star Belgrade will face the Yellow & Blue in their EuroLeague home opener and Omri Casspi's first game in Menora Mivtachim Arena after 10 years.

"It is our first home game of the season, and everybody is anxious to perform in front of our fans!", Said coach Giannis Sfairopoulos towards his first meeting with the home crowd.

"We are very excited, we want our fans to give us support throughout the season with their voice in the maximum way! That is how we will try to keep our home court undefeated! It starts from the game against Eilat".

Coach explained about the changes their opponent went through this summer: "Eilat changed the team a lot comparing to last season, they have a new coach, but they still have the quality to create damage if you're not ready to play against them. We need to stay focused on playing our game and following our game plan".



This game will be a special one for Elijah Bryant, who'll face his ex-team after shining for them last season. The swingman spoke towards meeting his new fans: "Get loud and be ready for a team that is going to fight every single night no, so be ready to fight with us".

The matchup between the two teams stands at 29:7 in favor of Maccabi. In the 1998/9 season, the team from Tel Aviv beat Israel's southernmost city by 60 points (128:68). Last year, The Yellow & Blue swept the season series against Eilat and beat them in the Winner League semi-finals.

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Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Eilat 102:86, in their first home game of the 2019/20 season. 137 days past since the Yellow & Blue hosted a game in Menorah Mivtachim Arena, as the fans were able to enjoy from first sight Giannis Sfairopoulos's new squad for the upcoming season.

Deni Avdija got the nod in the starting five and performed well, Quincy Acy showed his aggressiveness on the defensive side, Othello Hunter was unstoppable, Elijah Bryant slashed 17 points against his ex-team, and Omri Casspi played in front of the home crowd for the first time in 10 years.

Tarik Black, Tyler Dorsey, Sandy Cohen, and Angelo Caloiaro didn't dress up to this game. Sahar Dori and Yonathan Atias (18, 2.05) from Maccabi's youth department were on the bench but didn't take part in the contest. The next test will be on Thursday, Red Star Belgrade is coming into town for Maccabi's first EuroLeague home game of the season. 



Recap
John DiBartolomeo, Scottie Wilbekin, Deni Avdija, Quincy Acy, and Othello Hunter started in Giannis Sfairopoulos starting 5. Acy opened the game with 6 straight points for the hosts. Eilat couldn't stop Hunter inside the paint (7 points) but were able to take the lead a couple of times during the first quarter. Deni Avdija scored 5 points, including a flourishes dunk, and Omri Casspi came off the bench to help the Yellow & Blue take a 27:26 lead after one.

Jake Cohen contributed off the bench on the offensive side, while on the defensive front, Acy showed his strengths and abilities in his first display in Menorah Mivtachim Arena. Eilat stayed in the game with aggressive basketball, as Maccabi went into the locker room with a 54:49 advantage. 

Maccabi came out of the half strong as she took a 13 point lead, but then, Israel's south city responded with a 6:0 run. The home team was capable of bringing the advantage back to 12, but once again, Eilat was able to go on a 7:0 to cut Maccabi's lead to 74:69 heading into the final quarter.

Eilat brought the lead down to a one-point deficit, 73:74. However, Othello Hunter was brought back on to the court as he shifted the momentum to the Yellow & Blue side. Nate Wolters three-pointer gave Maccabi a 91:79 lead with just over three minutes left in the game. The visitors couldn't come back, Maccabi wins its second Israeli league game in a row, 102:86, in their return to Menorah Mivtachim Arena.

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