By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With seven players scoring in double-digit numbers, CSKA Moscow fired at will against Khimki Moscow to win the teams’ second semifinal 99-87 and get one step away from the VTB League finals. Khimki now has a mountain to climb, since it needs three consecutive wins versus the Euroleague champions.
The impressive teamwork of the hosts once again bore some quite flavorful fruits, as it is also evident by their 28 assists. Milos Teodosic was once again the top scorer for CSKA with 18 points, while 6 of his passes where made into baskets by his teammates.
After gaining a 23-16 advantage in the first quarter, CSKA Moscow saw Khimki fighting back and even taking a 41 – 43 lead in the mid of the second period. That was short-lived however, since coach Itoudis’ players scored six unanswered points to finish the first half ahead and then began an offensive ultra-violence in the third quarter, scoring 34 points against their opponents’ 23.
Khimki hasn’t said its final word, transforming the 83 – 63 into 85 – 78 with Tyrese Rice (16 points, 4 assists) scoring and creating. But after an angry timeout by coach Itoudis, CSKA answered emphatically, first with an 6-0 run and then with back to back three-pointers by Andrei Vorontsevich that made it 99 – 85 with two minutes to go.