Barça 96-73 Maccabi Tel Aviv: Another powerful Euroleague display

Two huge wins in Europe in just 48 hours! Barça again excelled at the Palau to go 8-2 in the Euroleague with a 96-73 victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Against one of the top teams in the tournament, brilliant defence and a spectacular Mirotic (25 points) powered their way to the win in the second half. 

The first half had been tight. The Israelis were ruthless in defence and Barça couldn’t get comfortable. It was free throws that edged it as they led 21-18 at the close of the first 10 minutes.

Maccabi 3-pointers could have been the Catalan downfall. DiBartolomeo was outstanding as his side built up the biggest lead of the game at 24-30, and Barça still trailed 43-46 at the interval. 

Barça based their response and defence and the counter. It worked and soon the blaugrana were leading, and by double figures.

And that was it. The home side dominated the final period 22-7, with Mirotic setting a new personal best of 14 rebounds and the Palau thrilled to see their team performing so exquisitely on the continental stage, and tying for top spot in the regular season with Anadolu Efes.

MATCH STATS

Barça: Hanga (6), Higgins (15), Smits (-), Davies (8), Mirotic (25), Ribas (-), Oriola (5), Abrines (12), Delaney (7), Kuric (12) & Tomic (6).

Maccabi Tel Aviv: Wolters (2), Black (4), Wilbekin (11), Avdija (4), Acy (8), Bryant (2), Hunter (7), Cohen (-), Dorsey (15), DiBartolomeo (13), Cohen (5) & Zoosman (2).

Periods: 21-18 / 43-46 / 74-66 / 96-73