CSKA — Lokomotiv Kuban, 09 May 2014

CSKA vs. Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar: 83-87 (-4)

CSKA: Teodosic (12 + 5 as + 3 to), Micov (8 + 3 rb), Fridzon (7 + 3 rb), Krstic (16 + 5 rb), Weems (12 + 5 rb), Vorontsevich (6 + 4 pf), Kaun (9), Khryapa (6 + 4 rb + 2 bs + 3 to), Hines (7 + 4 rb + 4 pf)…

Lokomotiv: Brown (20 + 5 rb + 2 bs), Williams (22 + 3 rb + 4 as + 5 pf), Hendrix (4 + 7 rb), Kalnietis (2), Lihodey (3 + 4 pf), Maric (12 + 6 rb + 4 pf), Ponkrashov (8 + 4 pf), Simon (16)…

I’d like to congratulate the opponents who believed that they are able to come back. As for what we did, it is difficult to comment. How to explain, when your team lets the opponent score 6 points in the first quarter and 81 in the other three?.. We could not use Victor Khryapa and Aaron Jackson in the end. Both had pains after their previous injuries. Victor said that he can play but I saw him holding his leg, limiting himself, slowing down. I don’t want to risk with our captain before the Final Four. Aaron had serious problem with his foot. Without this two guys we completely lost control and I think we will have to play without them tomorrow. We were out of control mentally and my biggest frustration is that I could not control the situation. Though there is nothing new, we had this kinds of setbacks earlier this season.

They score some lucky shots. Loko played with patience, it reminds me of our game in Euroleague when we were up in the first half but then we relaxed a little bit. The good thing that it’s just our first game – tomorrow is another one and in Krasnodar also. We took experience of it. Our offence was awful especially in last quarter when we played without any idea – this is the thing we have to improve. Hopefully we will wake up and play better tomorrow.