Pre-game breakdown
These teams faced each other in Round 1, in a highly-anticipated showdown between last season’s EuroLeague and EuroCup champions. CSKA gave Valencia no chance, downing the Spanish powerhouse 71-96 at La Fonteta.
The Army Men had an optional practice on Tuesday and normal practice on Wednesday.
Injured Will Clyburn and Janis Strelnieks stay out.
Pre-game quotes
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We played against Valencia long-long time ago in the first round. And they are totally different team, they play different basketball, they are more efficient, they have deep roster with a lot of good players on every position. They may use different lineups, going big or small, like every Spanish team they like to run. This is their strength along with rebounding and athletic abilities. It is a respectful opponent that requires our attention for 40 minutes.
Nikita Kurbanov, CSKA forward:
The big margin of our win in the first game of the season should not fool anyone. Valencia had some players injured and they improved a lot the quality of their game. They fight, they run and they jumped into Top 8 in the standings. So we are set to play very seriously as we are facing playoff-level team.
“Relativity” connections
Valencia swingman Fernando San Emeterio and CSKA guard Mike James were teammates at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz during the 2014-15 season.
Johannes Voigtmann and Aaron Doornekamp were teammates at Fraport Skyliners from 2014 to 2016.
Ron Baker and Maurice Ndour played for New York Knicks and its G-League affiliate Winchester Knicks in 2016-17 season.
Important numbers
Coach Itoudis has used 10 different players in his starting lineups this season. Only Nikita Kurbanov has started every game.
Mike James has made at least 1 three-point shot in 13 straight games. He ranks fifth this season with 2.9 three-point shots made per game.
James has scored in double figures in each of his last 18 games. He is this season’s leader in scoring with 21.5 points per game.
James has recorded a performance index rating in double figures in 17 of his last 18 games. He ranks second this season in average PIR with 22.0 per game.
Kyle Hines has blocked at least 1 shot in six straight games. Kyle Hines ranks third all-time with 227 blocked shots.
Hines ranks second all-time with 556 offensive rebounds. Felipe Reyes is the all-time leader with 695.
Hines ranks sixth all-time with 935 two-pointers made. Mike Batiste is fifth with 949.
Hines ranks seventh all-time with 1,240 rebounds. Mirsad Turkcan is sixth with 1,287.
Kyle needs 8 more steals to reach 200 for his career.
Johannes Voigtmann has made at least 1 three-pointer in each of his last six games.
Nikita Kurbanov has made 10 consecutive free throws.
Darrun Hilliard has made 10 consecutive free throws.
Janis Strelnieks ranks fifth all-time in free-throw accuracy at 91.2%.
Hackett needs 14 rebounds to reach 500 for his career.
Past matchups
Wins/losses: 3-2
2010-11 Euroleague Regular Season
Valencia – CSKA: 82-57 (-25)
CSKA – Valencia: 73-63 (+10)
2017-18 Euroleague Regular Season
CSKA – Valencia: 94-67 (+27)
Valencia – CSKA: 103-99 (-4)
2019-20 Euroleague Regular Season
Valencia – CSKA: 71-96 (+25)
Short dossier
Valencia Basket, Spain
Founded: 1986
Colors: orange, white, black
Home court: Pabellon Fuente De San Luis (9,000)
President: Vicente J. Solà Sanz
Head coach: Jaume Ponsarnau
Website: www.valenciabasket.com
Trophy case: EuroCup winner (2003, 2010, 2014), Spanish League champion (2016-17), Spanish Cup winner (1998), Spanish SuperCup winner (2017)
