FC Barcelona returned to winning ways on Tuesday, January 6, with a 93-83 home victory over Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv at Palau Blaugrana, ending a two-game losing streak.
The win was sparked by the return of Toko Shengelia, who scored a team-high 22 points in his first EuroLeague game since Round 15, also contributing 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
Barcelona built a commanding 24-point lead in the second quarter, but Maccabi fought back to narrow the gap to 77-72 late in the fourth, before Shengelia and Myles Cale made key plays to restore a 10-point cushion.
Nicolas Laprovittola added 14 points, Kevin Punter contributed 12, and Willy Hernangomez recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite playing in an empty arena and committing 18 turnovers, Barcelona hit 15 three-pointers, including six in a 22-3 opening run, establishing momentum that carried through the first half.
Maccabi struggled early, allowing Barcelona to dominate the boards and dictate pace, though Tamir Blatt scored 17 points with five three-pointers, Jaylen Hoard added 15, and Iffe Lundberg tallied 14 in a losing effort.
The win improves Barcelona to 13-7, setting up a Friday home clash against Partizan Mozart Bet Belgrade, while Maccabi drops to 8-12 and travels to face Real Madrid on Thursday in a critical battle for postseason positioning.
