Russian League Finals, Game 2: May 23, 2008
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CSKA got closer to win its sixth consecutive Russian League title by downing Khimki 74-66 in Game 2 of the best-of-five final series on Friday. CSKA has a 2-0 lead in the series and needs just one more win to win its 39th domestic league title, counting those won in Russian and the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Khimki is in a do-or-die situation but hosts Game 3 on Monday. Euroleague Final Four MVP Trajan Langdon paced the winners with 20 points. Matjaz Smodis added 16, Ramunas Siskauskas had 15 while Victor Khryapa grabbed 11 rebounds for CSKA. Pat Burke had 17 points for Khimki while Clay Tucker added 14 for the guests. CSKA led 11-10 early but but a 2-10 run that Tucker capped with a four-point play gave Khimki a 13-20 lead after 10 minutes. Back-to-back baskets by Kelly McCarty and Vladimir Veremeenko made it a nine-point game, 23-32, but Khryapa and Siskauskas got CSKA within 31-36 at halftime. CSKA improved its offense after the break through Smodis and an outstanding Langdon, who led a 14-2 run for a 53-46 lead. Back-to-back triples by Tucker kept Khimki close, 53-52, after 30 minutes. Tucker struck again from downtown to give Khimki its last lead, 53-55. Smodis led a 10-0 run that put CSKA ahead for good, 63-55. Khimki still got within 67-64 with 2:23 remaining, but Langdon, Smodis and Siskauskas stepped up to seal the win.
| Final Playoffs, best of 5 games |
| Record | Team | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | | 2 | CSKA Moscow (1) | 97 | 74 | May 26 | *May 27 | *May 29 | | 0 | Khimki (2) | 76 | 66 | - | - | - |
| Final games | | Game 1 | CSKA Moscow vs. Khimki | 97-76 | May 22 | | Game 2 | CSKA Moscow vs. Khimki | 74-66 | May 23 | | Game 3 | Khimki vs. CSKA Moscow | - | May 26 | | Game 4 | Khimki vs. CSKA Moscow | - | *May 27 | | Game 5 | CSKA Moscow vs. Khimki | - | *May 29 |
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Euroleague.net
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