Pre-game breakdown
Leo Westermann (hip surgery) remains out for the Army Men.
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
We go back to VTB League competition after tough 2-game week in EuroLeague. We face Astana which has ambitions, the team is improving step-by-step during the season, they recently were close to surprise Khimki and UNICS, so they are up to a very good level of basketball. Astana has a number of athletic and energetic players. They are definitely more rested than us so the key for us will be to match their energy. Also I need to mention that we are playing on the Christmas Day and I would like to congratulate everyone who celebrates it.
Past matchups
Win-loss record: 15-0
Game in 2017-18 season:
08-Oct-2017. Astana – CSKA: 72-92 (+20)
Short dossier
BC Astana (Kazakhstan)
Founded: 2000
Colors: yellow, blue
Home court: SC Velotrack/Saryarka (9,270), Barys Arena (11626).
President: Valery Tikhonenko
Head coach: Kostas Flevarakis
Website: pbcastana.kz
Trophy case: 5-time Kazahstan champion (2012-15, 17), 5-time Kazakhstan Cup winner (2011-14, 17), FIBA Asia Champions Cup bronze winner (2017).
