CSKA defeated Khimki at home in Game 1 of the finals, 94-88.
Seeking a 6th-straight title, CSKA completely dominated Game 1 for three quarters, soaring to a 78-51 lead with 10 minutes to go.
Though Khimki fought back, cutting the deficit to six by the final buzzer, the visitors were never in the game. Alexey Shved struggled to find a rhythm against the CSKA defense, finishing with 18 points on 4-16 shooting (including 0-6 from beyond the arc).
The Army Men dominated the glass, 40-29, and took advantage at the free-throw line, shooting 24-28. Back-up forward Semyon Antonov also had a big game, scoring 16 points on 6-6 shooting.
Both offenses were subdued in the opening period as CSKA staked an 18-13 lead. That quickly changed in the 2nd. The home team put up 33 points and expanded the lead to 13 at halftime.
The 3rd quarter proved disastrous for Dusko Ivanovic’s men. Already down by double digits, the visitors were outscored 27-13 in the period, effectively ending any hope of a comeback.
Semyon Antonov became the star of the game. The forward came in averaging 2.6 points per game, but proved the X-factor in this match-up. Antonov’s 16 points on 6-6 shooting, coupled with a strong team showing, proved too much for Khimki. This was Antonov’s highest-scoring game in a CSKA uniform.
E.J. Rowland scored 15 points and made 5 assists.
