HÀ NỘI — Danang Dragon have a last chance to enter the top four before the play-off.

They must beat Saigon Heat in the Việt Nam Basketball Association League’s last qualification match on Sunday.

In their most recent meet on October 5, the Dragons surprisingly defeated the Heat 75-73 on the former’s home court. However, this time it will be far more difficult as the bottom-placed Dragons have to play away from home against the top rivals, who are the first Vietnamese professional club and have been playing at the ASEAN Basketball League for several years.

Moreover, the Dragons’ performance has not been stable recently as they depend too much on Joly Rudolphe. And with Rudolphe being guarded closely, the Dragons are finding it hard to create opportunities for attack.

Meanwhile, other players, such as Stefan Nguyen, Đàm Huy Đại, Horace Nguyen and Jimmy Kien, are not playing consistently and their scoring skills are limited.

On the other hand, the Heat are in a secure position, with top place and leading stars in the line-up. Việt Arnold is a genius with perfect three-point throws, while Trần Đăng Khoa and Miller Darrell have proven their talents at matches, having also been voted Most Valuable Player several times.

In another game, HCM City Wings, who share the first spot with the Heat, need a win over Hanoi Buffaloes as encouragement ahead of the tense play-off round.

The Wings have one win more than the Buffaloes, helping them move ahead of their rivals in the points table.

Their fourth clash this season will be a chance for the Buffaloes to equalise their result after losing twice and winning one against the Wings previously.

The huge number of home fans at the Hà Nội University of Science and Technology Gymnasium will be to the advantage of the Buffaloes. What they need to do is to limit the power of Jaywuan Hill, who is appreciated for his great ball managing skills and smart improvisation.

Further, eyes on Nguyễn Huỳnh Hải, Ngô Tuấn Trung, Lê Ngọc Tú and Lại Xương Thanh are needed to make sure they have no room to work around.

People have complained about the Buffaloes playing a defensive game. Some said that with these tactics, coach Todd Purves may not be successful in the long term.

However currently at No. 3 position the Buffaloes are still one of the candidates who could win the trophy. — VNS