Barcelona opened their EuroLeague home campaign with a hard-earned 90-87 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Palau Blaugrana, surviving a nervy final minute in which the Israeli champions had two looks to force overtime. In a game that swung back and forth for 40 minutes, the hosts' composure at the free-throw line and a decisive fourth-quarter run proved the difference in a match that will be remembered for its late-game drama.

Match Overview

Both teams came out intent on pushing the tempo, and the first half delivered exactly the kind of open, high-scoring basketball the EuroLeague regularly produces in October. Barcelona built an early cushion behind crisp ball movement and second-chance points, but Maccabi's perimeter shooting kept the visitors within touching distance throughout. Neither side led by more than eight points at any stage, and the lead changed hands 11 times.

Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring

• Q1: Barcelona 24-21 Maccabi
• Q2: Barcelona 22-25 Maccabi (half-time: 46-46)
• Q3: Barcelona 21-20 Maccabi (67-66)
• Q4: Barcelona 23-21 Maccabi (final: 90-87)

How the Game Turned

With just under six minutes remaining, Maccabi edged ahead by four and looked to have seized the momentum, forcing Barcelona into two rushed possessions. The response was immediate: a corner three, a transition dunk off a stolen inbound pass, and a pair of free throws flipped the game back in the hosts' favour inside 90 seconds. From there, Barcelona slowed the tempo, emptied the shot clock on almost every possession, and dared Maccabi to score in the half court.

The visitors had a genuine chance to tie in the closing seconds, but a contested three from the wing rimmed out and the rebound was secured, allowing Barcelona to run out the clock.

Tactical Story

Barcelona's advantage came on the glass and in the paint, where their size created a steady stream of offensive rebounds and second-chance points. Maccabi countered with a switch-heavy defensive scheme designed to disrupt pick-and-roll action, and it worked for long stretches — the hosts finished with a modest assist-to-turnover ratio by their standards. The difference was Barcelona's ability to generate points when the offence broke down, driven by individual shot-making late in the clock.

Standout Performers

• Barcelona: A composed 22-point, 6-assist night from the backcourt led the scoring, while the frontcourt pairing combined for a double-double and three blocks.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv: Their guard rotation kept the visitors alive with timely three-point shooting, and a 17-point, 8-rebound performance from the forward spots underlined how competitive the Israeli side were on the road.

What It Means

The win keeps Barcelona unbeaten at home in the early weeks of the EuroLeague season and reinforces their status as a playoff contender in a crowded standings picture. For Maccabi, it is a frustrating near-miss on the road — the kind of result that can be crucial when the league table tightens in the spring. Both teams now turn their attention to the next round, with Barcelona hoping to carry their late-game execution into a tougher road test and Maccabi eager to convert narrow defeats into wins on home soil.