Preview: CSKA not cocky

Aris TT will play in Moscow without injured big-man Gioannis Giannoulis and former Real Madrid star Alex Scales, while Terrell Castle and Giorgos Kalaitzis face CSKA nursing injuries.

The Greek side will sorely miss Scales, who was critical to their 66-58 opening night victory over Fenerbahce last week scoring 14 points and hauling in five rebounds.

Still, CSKA coach Ettore Messina holds onto memories of last year when his club lost 69-74 hosting Montepaschi Siena in their first home game of the regular season.

"Last year we lost our first home game of the Euroleague season, so we know it won't be easy and that we have to be ready," Messina said.

Greek star Theodoros Papaloukas, who was CSKA Moscow's second-leading scorer with 14 points in their opening-round victory over Napoli, said the champions were a superior team to Aris but would not underestimate their opponents.

"We're a better team, but we'll have to go out on the floor and prove that. They are going to come in here looking for a win," the MVP of last year's Euroleague Final Four said.

"We lost our Euroleague home opener last year, but I don't expect to repeat that this year. We've played a lot more games together and have much more experience since then."