Euroleague champions opened their US tour with a huge loss against Orlando Magic. CSKA Moscow let 37 points in their basket in the first quarter while scoring 19 themselves. The other two quarters were lost by 5 points and the final period was equal.
CSKA players had to adjust to NBA rules quickly and it didn't work that well. The main problem of the visitors' defence was Dwight Howard who was a member a gold-winning USA Olympic team.
The starting five of Euroleague champs scored less than half of team's points. Trajan Langdon was the most impressive among the starters with 12 points. Meanwhile J.R. Holden left the court with empty hands as he missed all of his 9 shots.
Tonny Battie, Adonal Foyle and Courtney Lee were not registered for the game for Magic.
Ettore Messina stressed the difference in players' physicality. He wasn't happy with the lack of agression from his team. Howevere, according to CSKA's Italian coach, it was a good experience for the team.
94 – Orlando Magic (37+15+19+23): Dwight Howard 28, Hidayet Turkoglu 16, Rashard Lewis 15, Brian Cook 7, Jeremy Richardson 6, JJ Redick 5, Jameer Nelson 4, Marcin Gortat 4, Mickael Pietrus 3, Anthony Johnson 2, Dwayen Jones 2, Mike Wilks 2, Keith Bogans 0.
66 – CSKA Moscow (19+10+14+23): Terence Morris 16, Trajan Langdon 12, Zroan Planinic 8, Matjaz Smodis 6, Erazem Lorbek 6, Ramunas Siskauskas 4, Nikos Zisis 4, Viktor Khryapa 2, Sasha Kaun 2, Viktor Keyru 2, Alexey Savrasenko 2, Alexandr Shved 2, J.R. Holden 0.
