Pre-game breakdown
The weekend was off for the Army Men: the players visited CSKA for treatments only. Only Joel Bolomboy did not have days off as he helped Russian National Team to beat Northern Macedonia at Perm.
Will Clyburn, Andrey Vorontsevich and Mikhail Kulagin remain out for the Red-Blues.
Barcelona has not won against CSKA in Moscow in more than seven years. Only Ante Tomic remains for Barcelona and Andrey Vorontsevich for CSKA from Barca’s last win in Moscow on December 13, 2012.
Pre-game quotes
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach
We all know the qualities that Barcelona has, they are in the top group of the standings. The team is targeting high, there are big expectations from their side. We are willing to fight in front of our fans in the crowded gym and we hope to have our best performance.
Kyle Hines, CSKA center:
Barcelona is a very talented team, they have a lot of talent on every position. They are playing realy well in the first part of the season. It is a very important game for us, now at this point of the season, every game is important. It is important for us to play well and defend our home court as we are trying to secure playoff position.
“Relativity” connections
Cory Higgins faces his former team, for which he played the last four years – his first four in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. He helped CSKA win two titles in and will now face many of his former teammates.
Johannes Voigtmann and Adam Hanga of FC Barcelona were teammates at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz during the 2016-17 season.
Mike James was a teammate of Barcelona’s Adam Hanga at Baskonia during the 2015-16 season. They reached the 2016 Final Four together.
James and Barcelona point guard Thomas Heurtel were briefly teammates at Baskonia in December 2014.
Important numbers
Coach Itoudis has used 11 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 18 straight games. He ranks fourth this season with 2.8 three-point shots made per game.
James has scored in double figures in each of his last 23 games. He ranks second in scoring this season with 21.3 points per game.
James has recorded a performance index rating in double figures in 22 of his last 23 games. Mike James ranks third this season in average PIR with 21.1 per game.
Kyle Hines has blocked at least 1 shot in 10 of his last 11 games. Kyle ranks third all-time with 231 blocked shots. Injured Anadolu Efes center Bryant Dunston is second with 242 career rejections.
Kyle Hines ranks seventh in offensive rebounds this season with 2.4 per game. He ranks second all-time with 573 offensive rebounds. Felipe Reyes of Real Madrid is the all-time leader with 696.
Kyle ranks seventh all-time with 1,274 rebounds. Mirsad Turkcan is sixth with 1,287.
Hines ranks fifth all-time with 950 two-pointers made. Paulius Jankunas of Zalgiris Kaunas is fourth with 960 and counting.
Kyle Hines needs 5 more steals to reach 200 for his career.
Johannes Voigtmann has made at least 1 three-pointer in 10 of his last 11 games; he is shooting 21 for 42 (50.0%) from downtown over that stretch.
Janis Strelnieks ranks sixth all-time in free-throw accuracy at 90.8%.
Past matchups
Win-loss record: 20-14
Game of 2019-20 EuroLeague season
Barcelona – CSKA: 67-96 (+29)
Short dossier
Barcelona, Spain
Founded: 1926
Colors: balaustine, violet, gold
Home court: Palau Blaugrana (8,250)
President: Josep Maria Bartomeu
Head coach: Svetislav Pesic
Website: www.fcbarcelona.cat
Trophy case:
- 2-time Euroleague champion (2003, 2010);
- 2-time Saporta Cup winner (1985, 1986);
- 2-time Korac Cup winner (1987, 1999);
- 18-time Spanish champion (1959, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014);
- 25-time Copa Del Rey winner (1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1959, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019)
- 6-time Spanish Supercup winner (1988, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015)
