Predictably more difficult

CSKA vs. Khimki (Moscow region): 94-81 (+13)

CSKA: De Colo (12 + 6 rb + 4 to), Teodosic (18 + 4 rb + 6 as + 3 to), Fridzon (3), Nichols (5 + 3 rb), Jackson (8 + 6 as + 3 st), Markoishvili (3), Korobkov (2), Vorontsevich (13 + 7 rb), Kaun (17 + 4 rb), Hines (2), Kirilenko (11 + 8 rb + 2 bs)…

Khimki: Rice (9 + 5 as), Augustine (5 + 5 rb), Popovic (9 + 5 as + 5 pf), Koponen (13 + 4 as), Vyaltsev (2), Claver (10 + 5 rb), Il’nitskiy (3 + 5 pf), Monya (10 + 9 rb), Davis (14 + 4 rb + 4 as + 3 to), Sheleketo (6 + 4 pf)…

We played very good game, set the tone from the beginning. Approximately 25 minutes we played with high level of intensity, showed great basketball on both ends of the floor. The guys played dedicated, focused, determined, they shared the ball, helped each other on defense. There was a period when we lost concentration, looked like we relaxed a bit after taking 20-point lead. Obviously we should also credit Khimki who have great players and excellent coaching staff. Still in difficult moments we managed to take right decisions, we cleared our minds. Now we move to Khimki and we suppose that the opponents gonna react. We will try to go on the floor with big desire. I want to thank the fans who came here and created amazing atmosphere. The players perform better in this kind of conditions. I would like also to congratulate Andrey Vorontsevich with his well-deserved trophy. He is having great season so far.

After the first loss Khimki looked better and fought for the win. We expected that they will not give up. We fought too and after the first quarter we got 10 points advantage, soon after the half – 20 points. Then we relaxed and lost concentration. We let the opponent feel opportunity to come back in the game. The third game will be also tough but we are going to do our best to win. Khimki has an important key to win, it’s their fans.