A crucial showdown at Palau Blaugrana will see Barcelona (21-11) attempt to take a step closer to a top-four qualification against a dangerous Maccabi team (19-13) that must win to maintain its slim hopes of the same achievement.
Roger Grimau, Barcelona: 'They have many threats at one-on-one'
Maccabi is on fire after winning six straight games with an explosive offense led by Wade Baldwin (at least 14 points in 13 consecutive games) in the backcourt and Josh Nebo (double-digits scoring in eight straight games) in the paint. Barca took a thrilling 90-92 win when these teams met in November. Nico Laprovittola led that effort with 23 points and Barca crashed the boards to the tune of 16 offensive rebounds. With the home team needing a win to keep control of home-court advantage in the playoffs, expect the intensity of a final between a pair of title candidates.
Roger Grimau, Barcelona head coach
"This team is full of taleneted players. We all have to be ready to play defense. They have many threats at one-on-one. They can score rather easily, so we have to be ready for the defensive aids. We also have to crash the boards and do not allow for the second options because they are great at offensive rebounds. We just think about the game in front of us. The standings are tight and you can't help looking at them, but we are motivated for this game and we want to play at our level in front of our fans. Maccabi is a great team with great players and they are in a great moment."
Oded Kattash, Maccabi head coach
"We are aware that we face a game at the highest quality that Europe has to offer, and it is going to be challenging and complicated. To earn a good result, we will need to play a near-perfect game. Regardless of other games' results, we want to go out and win, because it's an important game for us."
Nico Lapprovitola, Barcelona player
"We were second in the standings for a long time. I think I am happy with our season so far. This team can do a lot of good things and it can dominate. I trust all my temmates, and I think we are all doing a great job. This game is important for us because we play at home. I hope this game can be a big boost for us to finally make the playoffs."
Bonzie Colson, Maccabi player
"We are preparing like we prepare for all the other games of the season. It's going to be a high-intensity game, but we are focusing on ourselves and doing everything we can to get the win. It will be a fun atmosphere and we are excited about it. We have to play like we have been playing lately."