CSKA Moscow – Panathinaikos preview, prediction and where to watch

The Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season formally comes to a close on Wednesday night when CSKA Moscow hosts Panathinaikos OPAP Athens in a makeup game from Round 25. CSKA (23-10), which has already clinched second place in the standings and a matchup with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the playoffs, will look to build on its five-game winning streak. Panathinaikos (11-22), which has lost eight of its last 10 games, is 16th in the standings and can overtake ALBA Berlin for 15th if it wins.

For CSKA, this game is for protocol only and could be a good chance for Coach Itoudis to spread minutes around. That could still prove to be a winning formula as second-string players try to use every available minute to fight for more playing time come the playoffs. A strong showing on the boards and good sharing of the ball would be the perfect recipe for another CSKA victory.

• Nikola Milutinov could miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
• Mike James has been suspended by head coach Dimitris Itoudis.
• Daniel Hackett will miss this game due to a shoulder injury.

The Greens will be shorthanded since Mario Hezonja is not eligible because he was not yet registered when this game was originally scheduled to be played in February. Accordingly, the Greens will need players like Ben Bentil, Shelvin Mack and Howard Sant-Roos to assist Nedovic in filling the basket to have a shot at finishing the season on a high note.

• Mario Hezonja is not available to play since he was not with the team on the original date the game was scheduled.