Khimki Moscow region vs. CSKA: 88-89 (+1)
Khimki: Shved (36 + 5 rb + 6 as + 4 to + 4 pf), Gill (7 + 2 as + 5 to), Anderson (10 + 4 pf), Jenkins (5 + 3 rb + 3 as + 4 pf), Thomas (3 + 2 as) – start; Robinson (5 + 5 rb), Honeycutt (3 + 4 rb + 2 as + 2 st + 3 bs), Vyaltsev (2), Zaytsev (DNP), Markovic (9 + 3 rb + 2 as), Monya (8 + 4 rb), Todorovic (0)…
CSKA: Westermann (6 + 4 as + 3 st + 4 pf), Antonov (13 + 4 rb + 4 pf), Higgins (20 + 4 rb + 2 as + 2 st + 3 to), Kurbanov (4 + 3 rb + 2 as + 2 st), Hunter (5 + 4 rb) – start; Rudd (DNP), Fridzon (0), Rodriguez (14 + 3 as), Vorontsevich (15 + 5 rb), Clyburn (12 + 6 rb + 3 as + 3 st), Khryapa (0), Makiev (DNP)…
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
I would like to congratulate the team with another Final Four. It is important for the organozation, for each of us individually, for the fans. Congratulations to our opponents as well. They showed great resistance, played great basketball, deserve full respect. Regarding the game, obviously, we had two different halves with thrilling end. We dominated in the first from the very beginning, created opportunities on defense and offense. In the third quarter we went up by 17, we took 6 offensive rebounds but could not make open shots. Our opponents had great comback. One of the reasons for it is that we were indecisive on switches. Still we found opportunities to win it in clutch. I would like to note also that the speech of our President [after morning shootaround] was very important for us, even though it is an internal thing. The moment showed that we are all together. I would like to mention also how difficult is to play without two very important players. Still many others stepped up in comparison to Game 3. We showed character. Now we have time to prepare and to heal our wounds. Time will work on us.
