Krasnodar nearly coughed up a 29-point lead in the 4th quarter, but held on to win by seven and snap a five-game losing streak at the BCMO.
Lokomotiv-Kuban clinches 3rd place with the win, improving to 17-6 on the season.
Khimki needed a win, too, trailing Avtodor for 5th place by half a game entering the May 9 holiday.
But Krasnodar was simply unstoppable in the first half, scorching the Moscow Region defense for 58 points. Khimki trailed by 22 at halftime and 29 entering the 4th quarter.
A 19-3 run to open the final frame pulled the home team within 13, 83-70, with 4+ minutes remaining. Sasa Obradovic was forced to call a timeout, his team reeling from turnover woes and atrocious shooting.
Krasnodar was able to briefly stem the bleeding and led by 12 with under a minute to go. But Khimki continued to press, forcing several turnovers. Alexey Shved had a chance to cut the lead to three with 10 seconds left, but his triple was off the mark and Krasnodar held on to win.
Moscow Region drops to 12-11. The club needs a win vs. Enisey and Avtodor loss to Astana on Saturday to finish in 5th place. Otherwise, these two teams will meet again in the playoff quarterfinals.
