Tâm Đinh scored 28 points to help the Hanoi Buffaloes go to the Finals after four years of waiting. — Photo courtesy of VBA

HÀ NỘI — There were no surprises at Hoàng Mai Sport Complex in August 23 night as the home team Hanoi Buffaloes with a full fit squad and the support of the home fans won against the Nha Trang Dolphins with a final score of 81-63 in game two of a best two out of three series.

With this result, the Hanoi Buffaloes will meet the Saigon Heat in the finals. This is the Hanoi Buffaloes' first trip to the VBA Finals in four years.

As for the Nha Trang Dolphins, although they could not reach the final round, this can still be considered a successful season for them, as they played very impressively and finished in second place after the regular season.

The guests had many disadvantages before entering the second game as their point guard Cleveland Jackson could not play due to injury and head coach Todd Purves was sent off after receiving two technical fouls in the first game in Nha Trang. 

Big man Whitfield Flenard had to play point guard and the “twin towers of Nha Trang” (Vietnamese oversea player Domique Tham and Flenard) did not play effectively in the low post area. 

The home team rotated the ball outside the three-point line and forced Tham and Flenard to defend far from the basket, which created a lot of space for Hanoi players such as Tâm Đinh, Minh Hiếu and Shane Henry to score easily in the low post area.

Tâm Đinh had his greatest game so far this season with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists. 

The Vietnamese overseas player also won the NovaWorld Player Of The Game award after the match.

The Buffaloes' opponent in the final is the Saigon Heat. The defending champion did not have much trouble defeating the Ho Chi Minh City Wings after only two games. The Heat is considered the favourite to win this year's championship.

The final series takes place in a best of five format. Thanks to being ranked first in the regular season, the Heat will be able to play the first two games on their home court - CIS in District 7, HCM City.

The VBA 2022 final series will start this Sunday, August 28. — VNS