The Singapore Slingers slumped to their third straight defeat after they were handed a comprehensive 86-71 beating by the Westport Malaysia Dragons in Malaysia.
After starting the season with four wins and a single defeat, they now have a 4-4 win-loss record. How the Slingers simply broke down in their set-back is definitely a cause for concern among fans.
The Dragons sprinted out to a 12-0 lead and it took the away team more than three minutes to get their first basket. By the end of the first half, they were starting at a 21-7 deficit. The Slingers have been plagued by slow starts throughout the season, but while they were able to regroup in previous matches, the Dragons really punished them on this occasion.
Only against the San Miguel Beermen were the Slingers able to get off to a flying start. They have struggled to really find their groove in the starting minutes and this time they were particularly woeful.
“As a group, this was our worse defensive game of the season,” bemoaned general manager Micheal Johnson of his team’s defensive performance.
“We could not cope with their physical and aggressive style of play and we just played badly. Getting off to a good start will be something that we have to work on in coming matches.”
A double digit lead was maintained in the entirety of the match, save for a brief period in the third where the Slingers cut the lead down to eight. Even then, the Dragons were able to quickly pile on the pressure and restore their lead.
The foreign duo of Tiras Wade and Brian Williams were the ones that dismantled the Slingers. They combined for 64 of their team’s 86 points and shot tremendously well. Williams, in particular, boss the boards and dominated Donald Little, as he finished with a double-double of 34 points and 15 rebounds from 61% shooting.
Only the two of them made significant impact on the game. The other Dragons players did not shoot well and none of them were able to make it to double digits.
In stark contrast, the American pair of Little and Louis Graham were unable to impose themselves on the match. Points wise, they were able to record some decent numbers, managing 19 and 25 respectively, but in terms of rebounds, they struggled.
Little could not put this large frame to good use and only grabbed five off the glass while Graham, who already has seven double-doubles, only got nine.
Still, it was the two of them that gave the Slingers a fighting chance. A disappointing shabby performance from the local boys was the reason for this defeat. They have yet to be able to perform on the road this season and they all combined for 2-of-13 shooting with Wong Wei Long particularly off his game, missing his four three pointer attempts. The 25-year-old was handed his first start of the season, but was unable to put his time on court to good use.
The locals have to really step up and support the imports especially when they are on the road. Back at home, Wei Long and co. are able to bring their A-game and give fans something to cheer about, but when they depart the Singapore Indoor Stadium, it seems like they are unable to make a real impact. While the ability to turn in quality performances week in week out comes with experience, it is about time the local cagers get going on the road.
They will have another attempt at doing as they face the Indonesia Warriors in Jakarta, who defeated them comprehensively at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in their first game of the season.
Written by: Koh Yizhe
