Saigon Heat were defeated on Wednesday by Westports Malaysia Dragons by a score of 84-82 in their first match of the year in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

Saigon Heat are ranked in the ABL’s top four. 

Due to their weak defence, the Heat trailed 25-21 in the early minutes of the game.

Minutes later, the combination of Trevon Hughes and Kyle Barone helped the Heat raise the score to 41-39.

The team continued strongly in the third quarter, bringing the score to 70-59.

But the Dragons did not give up, overtaking the heat 82-79 in the final minutes.

The Heat’s captain Murphy Burnatowski brought the score level with a three-point shot, but Winston Shepard of the Dragons scored a dunk as the game ended to secure the win.

Despite the loss, Hughes contributed 20 points, six rebounds and three steals while Barone put up 25 points, 17 rebounds and one block. Burnatowski poured in 20 points, eight rebounds and two blocks and Henry Nguyễn contributed eight points to the Heat.

Saigon Heat will return to their home ground CIS to play Mono Vampire on January 6. — VNS