Game 9 Preview: Singapore Slingers vs. Saigon Heat

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Wednesday 25th January 2012, Tan Binh Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The first game for the AirAsia ABL season 3's Week 3 sees the Saigon Heat hosting their first home game at Tan Binh Stadium against the Singapore Slingers, who have just beaten defending champions Chang Thailand Slammers last week. The Heat are still looking for their first win of the season and what better way to do that than at home in front of their local fans.

Both teams will have been well rested for this match-up as the Slingers’ last game was a week ago and the Saigon Heat have had ten days to rest and watch the rest of their competition during the Week 2 match-ups.

Heat’s import Julius Hodge will look for some help from his teammates in this game. Hodge scored 37 out of his team’s 58 points in their 1st game in the league. The Heat need more than Julius Hodge to win the this home opener. Their import Jonathan Jones and ASEAN import John Smith plus Sophoeun Oeun will need to make shots. Jones and Oeun did not make a fiel goal. Smith also stuggled as he was only able to make 4 field goals from 19 shots in their last game.

Slingers’ local players Desmond Oh scored 16 points in Slingers last game against the Chang Thailand Slammers. Slingers’ General Manager Michael Johnson was pleased with Desmond’s performace. “Des(mond) did it. He played four quarters of very good basketball,” said Michael, “He hit some big shots in pressure situations.” Slingers’ Louis Graham continued his impressive play with another double-double at 23 points and 15 rebounds. The Slingers would surely love to see the league’s current leading rebounder record his third straight double-double.