Assalamualaykum warahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

As always, these predictions begin by remembering our brothers and sisters that are being oppressed around the world and need our help. This league’s core values are all about building brotherhood and that stems from our Islamic beliefs that all Muslims are brothers. The people in Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, Kashmir and other places around the world are suffering and as Muslims we should all feel the pain in our hearts for our brothers and sisters. If you are unable to donate, do not hesitate to spread awareness on these situations, continue to be a voice for the voiceless and most of all, remember them in your Dua, as that is the best help you can give them.

We are down to the final week of the regular season, so let’s ramp up the donations Inshallah. Link will not close during the postseason and there is always a fun competition to see which team was able to donate the most. Link is below to donate, please share with all other friends and family.

https://pcrf1.app.neoncrm.com/MB24

At long last, we are here. The day before the final week of the regular season. This season has been one of the most competitive, and for the first time in a long time, there are 10+ teams that have a real shot at winning the whole thing. Remember, once playoffs start, this is a one-and-done setting, Best of 16. This week should be the most entertaining as teams look to go into the playoffs on the right foot. Good luck to everyone this week, and let’s get the ball rolling.

Before we get into the fun, let’s look at the standings for predictions:

Towfeek: 48 - 24

Hassan: 41 - 22 (didn’t predict week 1)

Crystal Ball: 46 - 26

Omar: 45 - 27



Looking into the Crystal Ball….

Gaza - Nablus

Alright so Gaza sits at 6 in the standings and Nablus sits at 8. Both teams are 5-3. I think this matchup is very interesting and one of the best games of the week. Johnny Wiz, Omar Singer and Mahrooz Qaderi have worked out the kinks and look like a team that is clicking on all cylinders. I think a big thing for them in this game is making sure all 3 of these guys contribute on the offensive end as they are going up against a powerhouse on the other side when it comes to offense. Of course, that is not the only thing they need to do (Hint: Ty Jackson).

Nablus is a team that is hard to predict. When facing a team that is unprepared, it is clear that Ty Jackson will have his imprints on the game. When the better teams come around and focus in on stopping him, this team has not figured out how to overcome that yet. Their two losses have come against Qalqilya and Yaffa, and both of these teams threw the kitchen sink at Ty Jackson. I expect Gaza to do the same, and we will have a better feeling of where Nablus stacks up heading into the playoffs based on the result of this game. Malik Zubi has been consistent but I still feel like he can give a little more. Medo has to pick it up though, for these guys to make a run to the chip.

Gaza by 6

Al-Quds - Safad

So it looks like we have an Abbassi showdown for the season finale. Great job by the scheduling team. Whenever someone plays family, it usually ends up being an interesting game. I'm sure Fursan and Islam will want to prove to their little bro that they still got it, just like the backyard days. Ali Suiafan and Jawad have to show up big if this team looks to make a deep run in the postseason as I think these two guys are the most offensively talented on the team. If they can score consistently, this team will be able to compete with the better teams, something they have not been able to do yet. Also Fursan 0-10 shouldn’t happen again.

Al-Quds finds themselves at #5 in the rankings and a big win this week could pay dividends for them as they hold tie breakers with point differential against anyone in the league. They will be looking to put the final stamp on a great end to their regular season that has had an upwards trajectory since week 3. If teams with a better record than them go down, they could find themselves even higher on the standings and give themselves a better Playoff schedule. The three headed backcourt will have their imprints all over this game, as they have found a nice groove. Lil O will be looking to show his older brothers how it’s done as well.

Al-Quds by 12

Qibya - Ramla

So it looks like Qibya is officially out of playoff contention before the week even starts. That really stings to be honest. I guess they can go into this game looking to save their pride and not end 0-9 but they got the #1 seed on the menu. I really thought this team would click with the addition of Aadil, but a tough schedule and important pieces missing some weeks ended up being too much to overcome. Great season Qibya, we hope to see you again soon.

Ramla is now on a 6 game winning streak and they have not lost with their big 3 all active. Same thing this week. Not much to predict.

Ramla by 15

Qalqilya - Jenin

Oh man. One of these teams is on a 3 game winning streak and the other is on a 2 game losing streak. If i told you this earlier in the season, you’d think the former was Qalqilya and the latter was Jenin. Buttt thats wrong. Jenin is playing lights out and Qalqilya is beginning to implode by the looks of it. Jenin is 3-5 after starting 0-5. Some may credit this to their schedule easing up, but I think Jake and Ian are a solid one-two punch, and there are plenty of shooters surrounding them. That is a good recipe for success and their only issue would be defense, which they have improved on. In the last 3 games, their opponents scored under 60 points.

Qalqilya started 5-1 with only a loss to the twin towers of Sabra. Check back two weeks later, and they just got knocked off by a buzzer beater in an instant classic. Week in and week out, teams come in to prove a point to the defending champs that their passion won’t be enough to get it done this time. Is out-passioned a word? It seems like Qalqilya is missing some passion and it looks like that is causing them to struggle. Newcomer Kande has not flourished with this team and Jay and Big Moose are inconsistent at best. The role players have not shown any signs of offensive production as well. This team is now sitting at 9 in the predictions with just a +1.4 point differential coming into the last week. Can they turn it around? The Crystal Ball doesn’t really think so.

Jenin by 9

Baysan - Sabra

This is the game of the week if both teams are fully loaded. These teams are led by great players and they have the best compliments to round the team out, making them probably the most formidable two teams in the league up to this point.

I really want to see both teams with a full squad and playing 100% so lets make that happen this week. Zain and Jared vs Pete and Austin. Idris, Sohaib, Sal, Tabty and on the other side Raza, Mo Masri, Sadat, and co. Where Sabra likes to play through their two bigs on both sides of the floor, Baysan uses the point forward skills of Zain and the playmaking of Sohaib to run the Baysan engine. Then there’s Jared flying around like a ninja and Idris being a 3 pt specialist on O and a reaper on Defese. On the other hand, give Mo Masri daylight and it’s good night.

Looking forward to the best game of the season and potential deep playoff matchup preview.

Sabra by 4

Haifa - Al-Wehdat

Well, Haifa is doing everything they can to not make the playoffs, but they are still in it thanks to the teams under them having no business winning. Will this be the week they turn things around and get ready to upset one of the top teams in the playoffs? I think they have the potential to do so if they don’t give up and come in with the right mindset. It should be 0-0 starting right now. Win and your in and then go upset a good team which can definitely happen. Kareem Ahmed has started his retirement tour early though it looks like. Maybe a swan song before he hangs up the laces.

Al-Wehdat has a hooper in Talib Chandler and another one in Keon Johnson. Right now they are ranked 13th and thats mostly due to attendance issues. I really want to see this team with their full roster as we enter the final week just to get a feel of how they will look in the playoffs. Regardless, they are in and I think they are a team that top teams will be trying to avoid in the playoffs. If they win this week, they could even move up in standings and try to get themselves a better matchup.

Should be a fun one.

Al-Wehdat by 7

Al-Bireh - Shatila

Shatila is the 15th ranked team and if all things stay the same, this will be the matchup when playoffs start in week 1. We have seen their role players play great against pedestrian teams but shy away from the limelight when a stronger opponent comes around. For there to be any hope in thai squad, they need more than just Farhad to come up big in tough matchups.

Al-Bireh is sitting at #2 as we speak after capitalizing on Pete Brown’s absence last week. Now they can solidify a great matchup week 1 and really put themselves in a good place for the playoffs. This team has a solid starting 5 and the will to win, they just need to lock in and show up. Some people call them bag sellers so they just gotta make sure that doesn’t happen. I know Shafic knows a thing or two about winning though. Look for him to lead the way.

Al-Bireh by 11

Al-Khalil - Areeha

Areeha sits at #10 and Al-Khalil sits at # 17. If Al-Khalil wins and Haifa loses, they will sneak into the playoffs and get to make another trip to Hoop Heaven next week. Call me crazy, but I think they can get it done. Or at least the Crystal Ball does. These two teams matchup pretty well. Areeha is a slow, methodical offense that likes to work in half-court sets and slow things down. Anchored by Big O and Jason Marshall, this team prides itself on being stout and solid all throughout. On the other side, Al-Khalil also has size and playing through that has been their best bet as their shooting has been abysmal. This is the week where things must come together for them. Moazam, Zeshan, Salman, and Ali need to each play a role in leading this team to victory. I’m sure these guys have played before and know who should have the ball most, so they need to incorporate that while working off of that person in a positive way. I don’t think anyone would really like to end the season on a 6 game losing streak and no seat in the playoffs. Lets see if they got what it takes.

Areeha by 8

Yaffa - Bethlehem

Annndd the last game of the regular season. This will be another fun game to watch.

Bethlehem is pumped after Mahdy clutched it up last week and allowed them to get a big win over a team people viewed as favorites. That improves the stock of this team, not because Mahdy hit a buzzer beater, but because there was production from other places than the two-trick pony. As mentioned in the podcast, this team is # 1 in defense, but they will have their hands full this week in trying to go the whole season without allowing 60 points.

Alright, Yaffa is 4-4. That sounds pretty mid if you ask me. No Ish last week and we saw how much his energy and playmaking means to this team. There was also no AMP and this hurt the team as their point differential took a hit. 3 Popals and 3 Shahs are active right now and look to play. AMP and Ish lead the way for this team and are the engines, one primarily on defense and the other primarily on offense. Humza and Ishaq are the assistants on the defensive side and Ace and MP3 are the assistants on the offensive side. To be honest though, I’d like to see all 5 guys locked in on both sides of the court. With this much offense, just putting effort on defense will get the job done against basically any team. This team will go as far as they are willing to help each other on the defensive side of the ball. Less help and they may be a first-round exit. More help and the sky is the limit.

Yaffa by 6

As always, this ain’t Lonzo Ball, this ain’t Lavar Ball, this is the Crystal Ball