After reaching the final four in 7 of the last 8 seasons, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s European season came to an end Thursday night after CSKA Moscow crushed Maccabi 92-71 in the third and decisive game 3 of the euroleague quarter-final series.
CSKA, The defending champs, clinched their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance. With a very dominant first quarter, CSKA put the game out of Maccabi’s reach. Simas Jasaitis was the only player effective in yellow, scoring 18 points.
Langdon led 5 CSKA players with double figures, scoring 20 points. Papaloukas had a great game, contributing 14 points, 10 assists and 2 steals.
CSKA got off to a quick start, 10-2, with Maccabi in state of shock. The Russians hit shots in an amazing percentage from all over the court and Papaloukas’ three made it 25-6, even worse for Maccabi than game 1 of the series. The first quarter ended 32-13 for CSKA, and Maccabi never recovered.
CSKA ran away for its biggest lead of the game, 55-23, and Jasaitis’ good shooting cut the lead to 59-37 at halftime. CSKA shot an incredible 13-of-15 for 2 points and 9-of-14 threes in the half.
CSKA was in full control in the second half as well, and Maccabi didn’t come close to the hosts, who now face Malaga in the 2007 final four at Athens.
Maccabi: Jasaitis 18, Vujcic 9, Sharp 9, Bynum 8, Shason 7, Jeretin 7, Green 6, Burstein 5, Eliyahu 2.
CSKA: Langdon 20, Smodis 15, Andersen 15, Papaloukas 14, Torres 14, Holden 8, Savrasenko 5, Van den Spiegel 1.