Hanoi Buffaloes beat Danang Dragons and won a ticket to the playoffs in the 33rd Game of Việt Nam Basketball (VBA)’s League, held on Tuesday at the 5th Military Zone Gymnasium.

Mike Bell (9) produced 21 points and helped Hanoi Buffaloes to victory. — Photo courtesy of organisers

Hanoi Buffaloes soon took the lead at 7-0 thanks to Stefan Nguyễn and Đinh Tiến Công.

Though Danang Dragons’s major player Zach Allmon produced 12 points to shorten the gap, the Buffaloes continued to lead at 19-16.

In the second quarter, Danang Dragons used their best players Chris Dierker and Allmon to notch up 26 points and played a counterattack to lead 42-36 over the Buffaloes.

They continued with 14 points in the third quarter after just a few minutes, raising the score to 52-38.

Keeping their spirit, the capital team regained control of the match and managed to turn the score to 63-62 over the hosts.

In the final minutes, speedy Lê Ngọc Tú from the Buffaloes added 11 points for the visiting team and they beat the Dragons 82-71, entering the playoffs with the Cantho Catfish, Saigon Heat and Thang Long Warriors.

Most valuable player (MVP) Tú gave 21 points, Bell contributed 21 points, 17 rebounds, and Stefan gave 20 points to the Buffaloes.

Allmon poured in 35 points, 17 rebounds and Dierker gave 18 points, 17 rebounds to the Dragons.

Danang Dragons will meet Thang Long Warriors at Hà Nội National University of Education Gymnasium on August 7 and Hanoi Buffaloes will meet Cantho Catfish on August 2. — VNS