NNJ FallBall 2025 Week 8 Predictions

Prediction Record Tracker: 35-21

Lots of entertaining games last week and the matchups this week have lots of potential as well. 7-1 last week so we’ll try again this week to go perfect.

Yazur vs Jenin

Trying to have a plan for both Akrum and Wajdi has to be a huge headache. Yazur may try zone but while lots of teams did it early in the season to double Akrum, it’s a lot harder to pull off with Wajdi in the middle. The best matchups may be Adam on Akrum and Marawan on Wajdi but everyone on Yazur needs to be ready to give help and rotate to cover each other. It will require a high energy effort to commit to doubling and covering the gaps.

If Jenin can contest shots at the rim, they can really give Yazur a hard time converting the looks they prefer. Wajdi has been a presence down low and Akrum has also been able to challenge a lot of looks in the restricted area with his verticality. The PnR defense for Jenin has not been great and they can be taken advantage of on the perimeter. However, Yazur has struggled from the field and do not take a lot of 3s to take advantage.

The top end talent for Jenin will be difficult to contain and offensively, Yazur hasn’t shown they have what it takes to win in a shootout.

Jenin by 8

Nazareth vs Tulkarem

Over the last few games, Nazareth’s zone has been a real strength. There’s no reason to switch up now as Tulkarem struggled vs zones earlier in the season. Luis will be down low where Mana will look to score, but Nazareth needs to have a plan to help because even the top bigs in the league are rarely containing Mana 1v1. If Elias and Moayad can hit some 3s early on, which they are very capable of, they can force Nazareth to switch out of it.

Tulkarem will have their choice of matchups between Mana and Hassan guarding Luis and Larry. They might go with Hassan on Luis to defend the 3pt line so Mana can take away looks at the rim. Elias also matches up well with Khaled on the perimeter. On paper, it seems like Nazareth could have difficulty scoring. If they can generate some turnovers in the zone, they can get a boost with some easy transition buckets.

A loss here would make Nazareth 1-2 while playing their best ball. Tulkarem is the perfect team to try and play spoiler as they continue their climb back to the top. I don’t think Tulkarem’s 1v1 playstyle will be enough to pull it off against a legit Nazareth team.

Nazareth by 4

Yaffa vs Areeha

Despite the uphill battle this season has been, Yaffa’s defense has been holding opponents to respectable shooting percentages. The challenge this week will be keeping Areeha’s talented starters away from their strengths: Mahrooz in space, Ali on the low block, and Singer coming downhill. Hosam and Elsamna could potentially match up with Ali and Singer, respectively, but it will be difficult to slow down Mahrooz individually.

Unfortunately, the reality is this end of the floor has been relatively easy for most teams. Yaffa just has not been able to consistently create and convert good looks from the field. Areeha also has strong defenders. Yaffa has to be careful with the ball, as we know Jay will be lurking for some steals. If Derek is getting into his groove and Jojo and Malik can provide support, maybe we’ll see something different from Yaffa’s offense this week.

Areeha has defended well against offenses better than Yaffa so it looks like it could be another long night for Yaffa’s offense.

Areeha by 10

Bethlehem vs Rafah

This could be a tricky matchup for Bethlehem to gameplan. Zone doesn’t seem like a great idea against Anas Zubi and Joey. At the same time, it looks like they’ll have some difficulty guarding Zain down low. It’d be great to see an ultra aggressive version of Zain, which it feels like we haven’t gotten this season. It could really add another level of threat from this offense and give defenses another problem to worry about.

It feels like Zain could give Bethlehem some issues on the other end as well, where he’ll be protecting the rim. However, as seen last week, the quartet of Jay, Trey, Omar Hussain and Nader can be overwhelming for defenses even when the paint is protected. It feels like this Bethlehem offense is not one that really gets stopped, but needs to be slowed down enough to edge them out on the other end of the floor.

Both teams have advantages to press. Rafah should be able to score in the paint. Bethlehem has 5 strong starters to exploit the weakest 5th defender. I think Rafah’s path is more feasible.

Rafah by 5

Gaza vs Jerusalem

Of course, Gaza’s primary focus will be on Mike Knight. The production from everyone else hasn’t been the most consistent so at least the task at hand is pretty straightforward. The most reliable option could be Jehad as the primary defender but the help defense needs to be ready too. They’ll have to be careful not to foul him, and also avoid the frustrations of some of the inevitable foul calls, as he draws plenty of them.

Similarly, the defensive gameplan for Jerusalem has to focus on slowing down Ian Felix. Mike will likely take on the matchup and he’ll want to focus on stopping Ian from getting downhill to his spots around the basket. He’s usually not looking to shoot so it would be wise to go under any picks instead of giving him position to take it to the rim. Additionally, Deeb has been a consistent second option and Big O will have to keep him off the glass.

The 15th vs 16th ranked defense. This feels like the type of game where Mike’s ability to heat up will take over the game.

Jerusalem by 4

Baysan vs Al-Khalil

To a certain extent, the defense has been holding Baysan back from winning some games with strong offensive performances. It won’t get any easier this week, having to focus on Mahdy while Al-Khalil still has many other capable contributors. Between Baraa, Heemy, Omar and Deek, the best bet for Baysan might be to help off one of them until they prove they can make the defense pay when left open from three.

We know Al-Khalil has a lot of talented defenders so the key this week is really just understanding the matchup and how Baysan will be looking to play. They attempt lots of threes, and are pretty good at converting them. The defenders will have to play everyone tightly on the perimeter and go over any screens to avoid giving them easy looks. John has been a handful for teams but if Omar is back, he’ll take on that challenge.

Baysan’s depth can be an advantage against teams with weaker defensive players at the end of the lineup but Al-Khalil has good defenders everywhere.

Al-Khalil by 10

Tiberias vs Haifa

It will be interesting to see what kind of lineup Tiberias chooses to start and close the game. Haifa will spread the floor with all 5 players, which could make it difficult for Tiberias’ bigs, who could have to defend out on the perimeter. However, they could opt to play Sej at the 5 with 4 guards to try and better contain the dribble penetration. Interestingly, they’re 11th in points allowed but the percentages haven’t been too bad in their losses.

This end of the floor has some potential to be exciting, given Tiberias’ ceiling and Haifa’s occasional defensive lapses. Shahzaib will likely match up with Andrew and should be able to keep up with the high pace he plays with. Tiberias has done a nice job getting to pick and pop against defenders that are sagging in paint. Haifa can occasionally sit back in PnR so they’ll have to pay attention not to give up those easy 3s.

Especially if it turns into a high paced game, I think both teams will be able to get a lot of open looks from 3. Tiberias has the shooters to go toe-to-toe with Haifa.

Tiberias by 3

Al-Bireh vs Safad

It feels strange to see this Al-Bireh team struggle defensively in recent weeks, as they are definitely one of the more athletic rosters on paper. Their communication will be tested with all the movement from Safad, who like to spread the ball around. They’ll also have their hands full on the glass against Aadil and Brandon, which could be a good indicator as to whether the defensive issues are related to effort and hustle.

On the other end, the matchup between Khalid and Brandon should be a fun watch. Despite some FT struggles in last week’s loss, Khalid still looked like a force and was difficult to contain. However, Brandon has been rock solid down low and is one of the most reliable bigs in the league. Adeeb has also been very productive for Al-Bireh without dominating the ball so Fursan could potentially match up and try to slow him down.

In terms of shotmaking ability, Al-Bireh probably has better options and depth. However, the gap in defense and rebounding has given Safad a better winning playstyle.

Safad by 1