Barça 67-68 Maccabi: Painful defeat

Second defeat of the season in Europe at the Palau. Barça lost out to an excellent Maccabi side right at the death with top scorer Higgins almost turning things around at the end. 

The visitors set out their stall early on and a steely defence allowed them to take an 17-12 lead at the end of the first quarter despite two scores from Higgins that allowed him to move past the 2000 points mark in the Euroleague. 

Nevertheless, an inspired Kuric and a Mirotic in form saw the blaugranes take a 32-30 lead at half time. 

In the third quarter the blaugranes took a five point lead but the Israeli side came back to end the third period just a point down at 54-53.

It was all to play for in the final quarter and thanks to their power on offensive rebounds, the visitors took the win to inflict on Barça just their second defeat at the Palau in Europe. 

The blaugranes will have to pick themselves up for the home game on 20 December against Club Joventut at the Palau Blaugrana, 6.30pm CET. 

MATCH STATS 

Barça, 67
Maccabi, 68

Barça: Calathes (11), Higgins (16), Abrines (3), Mirotic (12) i Pustovyi (8) -starting five- Bolmaro (-), Sergi Martinez (), Smits (5), Oriola (-), Kuric (12) i Hanga (-).  
Maccabi: Hunter (10), Bryant (10), Wilbekin (7), Caloiaro (4) i Bender (15) -starting five- Jones (2), Casspi (2), Dorsey (14), Dibartolomeo (2), Blayzer (-), Zizic (2) i Zoosman (0).