CSKA defeated Lokomotiv-Kuban at home in Game 1 of the playoff semifinals, 101-95.
CSKA and Loko surprised everyone in the first half by engaging in a full-fledged shootout, combining for 110 points in the opening 20 minutes! Matt Janning answered Vitaly Fridzon’s sharp shooting as both teams lit up the perimeter. Near the end of the 2nd quarter, Moscow started to pull away, with Janning’s 3-pointer to close the half keeping Krasnodar within two possessions, 58-52.
CSKA appeared to have the momentum, but Loko refused to let the home team take control. 68-66, midway through the 3rd. A timeout from Dimitris Itoudis had the desired effect. James Augustine got CSKA going with Victor Khryapa’s fast-break dunk pushing the lead to 11, 81-70.
Loko came charging back in the final quarter. Krasnodar continued to drain 3-pointers, with Collins cutting the lead to three, 97-94 in the final minute. CSKA, however, took care of the business at the free-throw line, hanging on for victory after Janning’s 3-pointer rimmed out in the final seconds. The Red-Blues open the series with a 101-95 win.
Matt Janning scored 21 points, Ian Vougioukas – 10.
