Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv 86-88 Barça: Show of character

FC Barcelona have secured a hard-fought victory in neutral Serbia over Maccabi in a game decided in the final seconds after a dramatic fightback by the Catalans. Despite trailing by 16 points in the third quarter, the team rallied thanks to standout performances from Justin Anderson, Kevin Punter, and Jabari Parker to finally get a win on the board after a dispiriting run of four straight losses.

The game began evenly, with Barça taking a 7-point lead midway through the first quarter, extending it to 8 points by the end (16-22). But Maccabi turned the tide in the second, reversing the score to lead 44-37 at half time.

In the third quarter, Maccabi widened the gap to 16 points. It was beginning to look done and dusted. But Anderson and Parker led a spirited Barça comeback, narrowing the deficit to just 2 points by the end of the quarter (66-64). In a matter of moments, all the Israelis' hard work had been undone and Barça were staring right down their necks.

The comeback was completed when Barça regained the lead early in the final period, with Willy Hernangómez playing a pivotal role. A crucial three-pointer by Anderson in the closing moments sealed the win in a nail-biting finish.

MATCH STATS

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, 86
Barça, 88

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv: Horad (20), Rayman (6), Rivero (8), Randolph (12), Blatt (14), Sorkin (4), Jokubaitis (8), Shayok (2), De Julius (3), Cohen (6), Gabriel (-) & Dibartolomeo (3)
Barça: Punter (18), Parker (18), Fall (-), Anderson (16), Satoransky (6), Vesely (9), Abrines (5), Núñez (5), Hernangómez (11) & Parra (-)

Periods: 16-22; 28-15 // 22-27; 20-24

Referees: Sreten Radovic, Saso Petek & Jurgis Laurinavicius