RUS – Smodis returns but CSKA fall to Khimki

MOSCOW (Superleague) - CSKA Moscow got 23 points from Ramunas Siskauskas and Slovenia star Matjzas Smodis played for the first time since having back surgery but still suffered a rare defeat on Sunday.

Sergio Scariolo’s BC Khimki beat CSKA 73-68 in the Russian Superleague.

Robert Minard had 18 points and Russia international Vitaliy Fridzon scored 13 for Khimki.

Evgeny Pashutin, who has guided CSKA to victory in the inaugural VTB League and the Russian Cup and has also steered the club into the Euroleague Final Four, expressed his happiness that Smodis had returned and played more than 17 minutes.

“I am glad for Matjaz, who looked good in our team's actions, showed worthy basketball, defended effectively and interacted with (Viktor) Khryapa quite well,” Pashutin said.

Pashutin, the former Russia national team point guard who served as an assistant to Ettore Messina before being appointed coach this season, said Khimki deserved that win that had prevented CSKA from clinching first place in the Superleague Regular Season.

"I'd like to congratulate Khimki with the win and decent game,” he said.

“They played zone for 40 minutes and we weren't effective enough against it. We were passive both on defense and on offense, we were lacking aggressiveness.

“It's difficult to say why we weren't ready for the game mentally - we prepared very seriously. We will analyze. We'll try to find out what went wrong, but I ask you not to look for the players who are guilty. I take full responsibility.”

CSKA dropped to 15-2 while Khimki improved to 14-3.

FIBA