Falling with a series of 3 points from Slingers, Saigon Heat is leading 0-1 at ABL Playoffs 2023
Contrary to the first match between NS Matrix and Hong Kong Eastern when it ended with a big victory, Saigon Heat and Singapore Slingers brought the right atmosphere of the Playoffs series, suffocating and not lacking in beautiful balls.
No one is willing to give in to anyone in a tight battle. If Saigon Heat is better at throwing 3 points, the representative of the lion island nation takes advantage of the strength in the 3-second zone, continuously attacking in the area below the basket.
After three innings with scores of 20-18, 24-29 and 20-19 respectively, the Slingers entered the last 10 minutes with only 2 points. Here, the two teams began to alternate with impressive points.
Singapore Slingers started to break out and extended the advantage to 6 points, forcing coach Matt Van Pelt to call a timeout. Immediately after, "Mr 30" revived with a series of 6-0 points to equalize the score.
Next was a series of 3-pointers from both teams, including L.Liew on the Slingers side and Khoa Tran bursting into Saigon Heat. But when the game entered the decisive phase, the home team lost themselves.
A little carelessness in defense combined with the opponent's too good 3-point throwing style, the Heat received an 11-0 shake from the Slingers when the game was only 1 minute 30 seconds. The score from 77-78 instantly became 77-89.
Although Evan Gilyard tried very hard with the next two points, it was not enough because time was no longer on "Mr 30's side".
The final whistle sounded with the victory going to the Singapore Slingers. The final score was 94-82, the Singapore representative temporarily took a 1-0 lead in the ABL 2023 semi-final series.
Evan Gilyard is the highest scorer on the Saigon Heat side with 24 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Jairus Holder is right behind with 21 points, 4 rebounds, 5-10 3PT.
Jeremy Combs scored 15 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Hassan Thomas scored 8 points and 9 rebounds but was not effective, only reaching 4-13 FG. Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh is the remaining outstanding name with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3-6 3PT.
On the Singapore Slingers side, 4 different players scored on points, led by 24 points - 12 rebounds from CJ Gettys and 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks from Kentrell Barkley. Internally Larry Liew successfully threw all 3 of his 3-pointers in the last round, ending the match with 17 points (5-11 FG, 3-7 3PT).
Game 2 of the 2023 ABL Playoffs series between Saigon Heat and Singapore Slingers will take place at 8pm on Wednesday at Nguyen Du Stadium. This is a match that coach Matt Van Pelt's team will have to win to keep their hopes up in the final series.
