Some poor officiating calls allowed Yuval Naimi to break a 72-72 tie from the free-throw line with three seconds to play and Hapoel secured a win which will give it plenty of breathing space ahead of Tuesday's Eurocup decider at Malha.

Also Sunday, Maccabi Tel Aviv thrashed Ironi Ramat Gan 101-79 and Hapoel Gilboa/Galil snapped its three-game losing streak with an 87-83 victory over Maccabi Rishon Lezion. Ironi Nahariya returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 105-71 whipping of Hapoel Afula, while Barak Netanya defeated Ironi Ashkelon 86-78.

Dagan Yavzuri's three-pointer made sure Gilboa held at least a slender lead at the interval (40-37) and Oded Katash's team was still in front with 10 minutes to play (59-55) before holding off a spirited [Rishon] side to end its losing streak.