Evan Gilyard explodes with 41 points, Saigon Heat defeats Eastern at ABL Finals Game 2

With a 1-0 lead by Hong Kong Eastern in the ABL 2023 final series, Saigon Heat is forced to win and survive, and hopes to make history with the goal of winning the Southeast Professional Basketball Championship for the first time. ASIAN.

Things weren't so bright when the Heat didn't enter as well as Game 1 and let Eastern lead by 10 points in the first half. But thanks to a focused defense and a brilliant individual performance by Evan Gilyard, "Mr 30" was able to overcome a slow start to win.

Next to Gilyard was Jeremy Combs, the owner of a comprehensive performance that included 17 points, 8 rebounds and especially 8 assists, nearly pocketing a triple-double. Hassan Thomas and Jairus Holder each scored 12 points and had 5 and 7 rebounds, respectively.

From an even position, coach Matt Van Pelt's teachers and students took the lead by 14 points (the score of 71-57) thanks to a series of different names. Not only Evan Gilyard but also Jairus Holder, Jeremy Combs, Hassan Thomas and Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh contributed.

After this series of points, "Mr 30" took the full initiative at both ends of the field, causing Hong Kong Eastern to collapse and could not return.

With this victory, Saigon Heat equaled the final series of ABL 2023 with a score of 1-1. Soon, teachers and coaches Matt Van Pelt will have a valuable rest after having to work continuously from the semi-final series to two finals in two days.

At 19:30 on Tuesday, March 14 at Nguyen Du Arena, Game 3 of ABL Finals 2023 will take place between Saigon Heat and Hong Kong Eastern.