Vietnamese team Sai Gon Heat made a losing start to the 2013 Asean Basketball League, going down 70-80 at home to Westports Malaysia Dragons.

The Heat, playing in the region's biggest basketball tournament for the second year, did not start well and trailed 13-24 in the first quarter.

They improved after the resumption, but the gap remained on 11 points as both teams scored 16.

Heat reduced the gap to six points in the third quarter, thanks to David Palmer, who finished with 34 points.

But the more balanced Westports outscored them again in the last quarter to clinch their first victory of the season.

Heat next play Chang Thai Slammers in Bangkok tomorrow.-VNS