Maccabi 90-92 Barça: Hard fought win

This EuroLeague game for the blaugranes went to the wire as the final score of Maccabi Tel Aviv 90-92 FC Barcelona was an accurate reflection of an even, fast scoring match played in an unfamiliar, behind closed doors atmosphere in Belgrade. Barça now have seven wins in this season's competition and sit in second place in the table.

Home side set the pace

The game began at a good pace, with the Tel Aviv side making the most of it to pick off Catalan deficiencies in defence. The visitors stayed in the game, though, Laprovittola leading the way with nine points to help his side end the first only five down (31-26).

The second quarter saw the blaugrana defence tightened up, slowing down Maccabi's scoring rate. Going the other way, Abrines scored the first of three 3-pointers in the quarter before two free throws from Willy Hernangómez took them into the lead after 17 minutes (42-43). All square at the break, 51-51.

Win at the last

Roger Grimau's side came out fired up, scoring 10 without reply to go into the biggest lead of the match (51-61), with Nnaji and Parker teaming up well in defence and attack. However, the Israelí side came back to go within two points as the final quarter approached (68-70).

The first five minutes of the fourth saw baskets exchanged until fouls on Willy and Nnaji help extend the lead to 4. Maccabi again came back but late points by match top scoring Laprovittola helped ensure there was enough daylight to see out the game as one last shot at three by Maccabi hit the ring and bounced out. Final score 90-92.

GAME STATS

Maccabi, 90
Barça, 92

Maccabi: Colson (11), Nebo (13), Cohen (7), Baldwin (19), Brown (12) - starting five - Cleveland (9), Webb (0), Menco (0), Sorkin (8), Rivero (11).

Barça: Da Silva (2), Kalinic (8), Satoransky (5), Henangomez (13), Laprovittola (23) - starting five - Paulí (0), Brizuela (2), Abrines (16), Parker (10), Nnaji (11), Parra (2)

Quarters: 31-26, 20-25 // 17-19, 22

Referees: Mehdi Difallah, Milan Nedovic, Hugues Thepenier