CSKA
The game is over
Moscow
22 January 2021 Friday / 20:00 MSK
Megasport Sport Palace
CSKA
83
89
Jan. 22 (Fri):
LIVE (for Russia): Match TV, MatchTV.ru, Sportbox.ru
LIVE (pay): Euroleague.tv
22:20: Match! Country

Jan. 23 (Sat):
0:15, 8:35: Match! Game
13:05: Match! Country
21.01.2021
Our team to face one of the hottest teams in EuroLeague. On the Megasport floor the Army Men had always tough games against Fenerbahce...
The opponent is on fire

PRE-GAME BREAKDOWN

The game in Istanbul unsettled Fener. The Turkish club started the season with two victories, but lost to the Army Team in overtime, lost the rhythm and won only three times in 13 games. But recently, the team went back on track and won five times in a row. This is connected with the return of injured leaders, and with the acquisition of Marco Guduric, who returned from overseas. This week, the Istanbul side also announced the signing of another NBA player - the experienced "big" Kyle O'Quinn.

For two-time EuroLeague champion in red-and-blue uniform Nando De Colo will make his first appearance in Moscow after leaving in the summer of 2019. Last season CSKA defeated Fener at home in the absence of an injured Frenchman.

The coaching staff is gradually trying to get the injured players back into action. Andrey Lopatin will definitely not play on Friday. For Mike James, Will Clyburn and Daniel Hackett, the decision will be made on game day.

PRE-GAME QUOTES

Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:

We gonna face different Fenerbahce in comparison to the one that we faced in the first leg. They have new roster with some additions, that's the team that hustles even more and fights until the end. Considering the players they have, the results they have - and it's 5 wins in a row - they play better basketball. It raises the difficulty of the game. We need to go out there and hustle, we need to go and play at the edge. We are trying to practice the best possible way, unfortunately we have injuries, players in and out, but we got no excuses for tomorrow, we have to come out and give it all.

Johannes Voigtmann, CSKA forward:

Fenerbahce is getting into rhythm slowly, they are having a streak after tough couple of months. With new additions, by playing longer together, they started to play well and they became a really dangerous team. They have good, very skilled guards and obviously big men who can defend.

CLOSE “RELATIONS”

De Colo returns to Moscow where he spent five seasons as an All-EuroLeague performer for CSKA, helping the team win 2016 and 2019 EuroLeague titles.

De Colo and Toko Shengelia were teammates at Valencia Basket during the 2009-10 season and won the 2010 EuroCup title together that season.

Johannes Voigtmann and Fenerbahce’s Danilo Barthel were teammates on the German national team at the 2019 World Cup.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Ten different players have appeared in CSKA's starting lineups so far this season. Only Nikita Kurbanov has started every game.

Mike James has made at least 1 three-point shot in 14 straight and 39 of his last 40 games. He ranks fourth this season with 2.7 three-point shots made per game. Mike needs 1 more three-pointer to reach 300 for his career.

James has scored in double figures in 14 straight and 44 of his last 45 games. Mike James leads the EuroLeague in scoring this season with 20.4 points per game.

James ranks sixth this season with 5.9 assists per game.

James has posted a PIR of at least 19 in 12 straight games. He ranks second this season in average PIR with 21.5 per game and Nikola Milutinov ranks seventh with 17.4 per game.

Milutinov leads the league this season with 8.6 rebounds per game and in offensive rebounding with 4.4 per game. He ranks seventh all-time with 451 offensive rebounds. Jan Vesely of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul is fifth with 457 and counting.

Will Clyburn has made at least 1 three-pointer in eight of his last nine games.

Darrun Hilliard has made at least 1 three-pointer in eight of his last nine games.

Hilliard has made 14 consecutive free throws.

Janis Strelnieks ranks ninth all-time in free-throw accuracy at 90.34%.

PAST MATCHUPS

Wins/losses: 25-11

SHORT DOSSIER

Fenerbahce Istanbul, Turkey

Founded: 1913
Colors: yellow, dark-blue
Homecourt: Ulker Sports Arena (13800)
President: Azim Yildirim
Head coach: Igor Kokoskov
Website: www.fenerbahce.org
Trophy case: EuroLeague champions (2017), Turkish champions (1991, 2007, 08, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18), 

Upcoming tournament games