Khimki beat CSKA at home – 96:80 (20:21, 25:20, 24:17, 27:22).
Top scorers
Khimki: Janis Timma (26), Jeremy Evans (17 + 8 rebounds), Alexey Shved (18 + 9 assists)
CSKA: Darrun HIlliard (24), Mike James (20), Johannes Voigtmann (9 + 6 rebounds)
Story
Khimki lost the status of League’s only undefeated team after hosting Lokomotiv-Kuban in the last game of 2019. CSKA, to the contraty, was chasing the rivals after a bad start. This was the first VTB League game held at Euroleague arena in Mytishchi to the joy of 6877 fans.
Khimki started with a 7:1 run, but the Red-blues woke up and leveled the game with Kyle Hines’ shots. Alexey Shved was supposed to be the hosts’ main sniper, but the guard found troubles making only 2 of 9 field goals in the first half. The Army club’s key option was Darrun Hilliard who helped them win the first quarter 21:20.
Johaness Voigtmann was the sign of CSKA attempt to run away in the second quarter. Later, CSKA offense got untuned as the German was knocked on the head and had to leave the court. Khimki diversified their offense with Janis Timma and Jeremy Evans and took control of the game. In the middle of the quarter the Red-blues spent 4 minutes scoreless and were trailing 29:35. Mike James saved the intrigue: with 8 points, he denied Khimki’s run to make it 45:41 by the halftime.
🚨 «Химки» совершают рывок 13-0 во 2-й четверти | Khimki run 13-0 in 2nd Q!
Первая половина игры позади | 1st Half is over:@Khimkibasket 45@cskabasket 41 pic.twitter.com/lrC8XemP92
— VTB United League (@VTBUL) January 6, 2020
CSKA again were scoreless during the first 3 minutes of the second half and Khimki reached the maximum margin thanks to baskets of Jonas Jerebko, Shved and Timma (55:44). Daniel Hackett and Hilliard’s efforts were to catch the running opponent, but the hosts won the third quarter 24:17 and were leading by 11 before the final quarter (69:58).
Key moment
Khimki started the fourth quarter with a 6:0 run as Shved and Jovic sank threes (75:58). With this margin, the Yellow-blues had confidence to get the win. After this one, Khimki’s 1st place is even more secure.
Stat
+16. Khimki’s biggest win over CSKA in the United League. -16 is the second worst CSKA loss in the League. The worst happened in 2012 against Nymburk (-19).
Soldout
6877 spectators at arena Mytishchi set new season attendance record.
Hero
Janis Timma. Khimki leader Shved couldn’t find the basket (5 of 17) and switched to assisting mode while Timma became team’s main offensive power. The Latvian made 11 of 15 field goals to score 26 points.
Next
Khimki: January 19 vs Enisey
CSKA: January 20 at Zenit
