Kim Bản with two clutch shots helped the Heat defeat the City Wings. Photo courtesy of VBA.

HCM CITY — The Saigon Heat defeated the Ho Chi Minh City Wings at Hồ Xuân Hương Gymnasium on Thursday.

Before the game, the Heat were in first place in the standings, while the City Wings were at the bottom of the table.

Despite being in opposite positions, both teams needed a win to relieve the pressure from recent defeats.

The City Wings started the game better, thanks to the impressive performance of Shon Briggs and three three-pointers from Tim De Kok and reserve shooter Nguyễn Hoàng Tuấn.

However, in the second quarter, the Heat decided to play defensively and leveled the score at 38-38 before the break.

After the break, Wings captain Khoa Trần, a former point guard of the Heat, continued to lead the team to victory by increasing the tempo with steals and fast-break plays.

The City Wings continued to dominate the score but the gap was only about five points.

With less than two minutes left on the clock, shooter Võ Kim Bản made two three- pointers, directly gaving the Heat the upper hand at 82-75.

Receiving a fatal blow, in the remaining time, the home team continuously exchanged fouls for time in the hope of tying the score.

But with the Heat's iron will on the free throw line, the City Wings had absolutely no chance.

In the end, the Heat won 85-81.

Jevonnie Scott, who saved the Heat in this match, was the Player of the Game with 26 points, ten rebounds and a shooting percentage of 78 per cent (11/14).

In this match, the Heat launched 40 shots at the three-point line, but only succeeded nine times, achieving a low efficiency of 22 per cent.

There is still work to do for coach David Grice and his team to get the team back to their good form.

After the game, the Heat consolidated their number one position with a record of six wins and one loss, while the City Wings remained at the bottom with a record of one win and five losses.

The City Wings will meet the Cần Thơ Catfish, a team in good form, on Saturday, while the Heat will meet the Đà Nẵng Dragons on Sunday.

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