Lokomotiv Kuban defeated CSKA in the Semifinals Game 7 and advances to the Finals – 103:100 OT (25-22, 14-25, 21-21, 25-17, 18-15).
Game progress
CSKA and Lokomotiv Kuban Super Series came down to the Game 7 in Moscow. The first quarter was equal and the teams played offensive basketball. In the second quarter, the Army team kept the rhythm, while Loko slowly reduced. An important factor was the guests’ problems with three-point percentage, 1 out of 7 in the first half. CSKA had their usual sharpshooters on the court. Alexey Shved and DeVontae Cacok aggressive offensive play gave the hosts an 8-point lead by the halftime.
After the break, Lokomotiv Kuban’s shooters woke up and made 5 three-pointers in one quarter. At the end of the quarter, the Krasnodar team nearly caught up the hosts, but Dallas Moore and Casper Ware threes gave CSKA a lead before the final quarter.
By the middle of the fourth quarter, Chris Horton had 10 points and Loko turned the game into the clutch.
In the clutch, Loko took the lead after Okaro White made shots, but CSKA tied the game with Dejan Davidovac free-throws and Ivan Ukhov points – 85:85 with 29 seconds left. In the decisive possession of the regulation, Barford failed to scored – overtime.
Key moment
Loko started overtime with White three-pointer and Vladislav Emchenko free-throws, but soon Barford and Akoon-Purcell fouled out, allowing CSKA to tie the game.
Aleksandr Scherbenev became a hero of the game with a 3-pointer made at a decisive moment and then made 2 free-throws (a 5-point lease with 105 seconds to go).
CSKA tried to catch up in the remaining time, but Shved and Moore failed to use their chances. In the last minute, Shcherbenev and White made free-throws, Loko took the win and became the first finalist of the season!
Fact
For the first time in the League history, the Final series will be without CSKA. The Army team has been without a title twice (Khimki in 2011 and Zenit in 2022), but both times the Moscow team lost in the decisive games.
For the first time since 2002, the Final series will be without CSKA. In 2002, Ural Great defeated UNICS in the Finals.
Key factor
CSKA’s poor free-throw shooting became a key factor, 29 out of 41. 12 missed shots in overtime were crucial for the Moscow team (Loko missed only 5).
Leaders
CSKA: Alexey Shved (22 + 5 rebounds + 13 assists), Dallas Moore (17), DeVontae Cacok (15 + 9 rebounds), Casper Ware (13), Nikola Milutinov (11 + 5 rebounds).
Lokomotiv Kuban: Okaro White (21 + 8 rebounds), Jaylen Barford (17 + 9 rebounds, 7 assists), Aleksandr Shcherbenev (15), Chris Horton (12 + 6 rebounds), Andrey Martiuk (12).
