Jimmy Butler posted a game-high 26 points and added eight assists and six rebounds, leading the host Miami Heat to a 118-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Cade Cunningham posted 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who at 9-52 are tied with the Washington Wizards for the worst record in the NBA. Cunningham scored 30 points on the Heat on Opening Night.
Miami also got 18 points and seven rebounds from Bam Adebayo as the Heat improved to 11-3 in their past 14 games. Terry Rozier added 17 points and seven assists, and Caleb Martin posted 15 points off the bench despite missing some time due to a sprained right ankle sustained in the second quarter.
For the Pistons, Jalen Duren had a double-double with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, and reserve Simone Fontecchio added 22 points, including 5-of-12 shooting on 3-pointers. Detroit has dropped nine of its last 10 games.
Miami played without second-leading scorer Tyler Herro and key reserve Kevin Love, who both missed the game due to foot injuries. Miami’s Josh Richardson is out longer term due to a dislocated shoulder.
In addition, Heat forward Nikola Jovic, who argued a foul call, was issued his second technical and thus ejected with 5:43 left in the third period. Those were his first career technical fouls.
Miami, despite five early lead changes, had a 36-26 advantage after the first quarter. Miami shot 60 percent overall and 4-for-4 on 3-pointers. Detroit made just 43.5 percent, including 1-of-8 on 3-pointers.
The Pistons cut their deficit to 61-60 at halftime. Detroit got 11 second-quarter points from Fontecchio and 10 from Duren, who was perfect from the floor (4-for-4) and the foul line (2-for-2).
Miami got 11 third-quarter points from Adebayo as the Heat stretched their lead to 93-88. The Heat had a 13-0 run in the third, but Detroit still kept it close.
In the fourth quarter, Miami closed out the game with a decisive 12-5 run.
–Field Level Media
