Photo Gallery: CSKA vs Lokomotiv

CSKA vs Lokomotiv (Min.Vody): 101-59

On the first true spring day, the USH CSKA stands held only 500 fans, who came to support the Army team in the first game of the quarterfinal playoffs of the Russian Championship against Lokomotiv from Mineralnye Vody. The difference in class of the two squads didn’t make for much intrigue in the game, and for that reason, not many fans showed up. Lokomotiv president Anatoliy Sukhachev didn’t help much to attract interest in the game. When asked by reporters whether his team had any chance to win at least one game against CSKA, he said they were making fun of him.

Nonetheless, the fans had something to watch even before tip-off. The pre-game video show, put together after the win over Efes Pilsen, would have lit up even a Euroleague game. Set to Spanish music and showing the beaches and streets of Barcelona, and the best moments of the most recent game reminded fans of the upcoming trip to the Euroleague Final Four.

There was only one change in the starting line-up. Victor Khryapa was replaced by Sergey Monya, who played outstandingly in the game against Efes. Only 19 seconds into the game, Viktor Alexander opened up the scoring by putting in a short baby-hook. Four minutes into the game, CSKA was already leading 8-2. It became evident that CSKA would decide the fate of the game early on by breaking their by the end of the first quarter. However, the visitors weren’t planning to accept such a role. Karasev and Tsypachev, who took advantage of the passive CSKA defense, began to cut into the lead. With 1 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter, Karasev hit a free throw to put Lokomotiv ahead 19-18.

Ivkovic wasn’t able to get through to his players immediately, and they began to play for the crowd, while missing shots and making turnovers. CSKA couldn;t build more than a 10-point lead until only 2 minutes remained in the first half, but in the final four minutes of the half they put together a 19-2 run. The burst completely demoralized Lokomotiv’s young roster. In the critical quarter, Lokomotiv practically ceased to compete, allowing the Army team to hit shots from wherever and however. Every 10 points the home team would cap off with big dunks. The 20-point lead (72-51) was secured by Aleksey Savrasenko, who got a two-handed dunk with a foul. Aleksander Bashminov gave CSKA a 30-point lead (83-53) with a dunk. And it was Sergey Monya who gave the fans their beloved 100 points with a dunk, giving CSKA the 101-59 victory. But the award of the night in this dunk-fest goes to Viktor Khryapa, who finished off a drive to the basket with an unexpected reverse jam.