We would be tempted to write that it was a “Heat” victory… In front of their audience, Jimmy Butler’s teammates won 103-102 against the Pistons, very happy to see Cade Cunningham’s last shot hit the back of the circle. The 2023 finalists played a score that we know by heart, since they led by 19 points with 9 minutes remaining, and they are not going to score a single point in the last three minutes!
The fault lies with the eye-catching Pistons, like Cunningham who compiled 30 points and 9 assists for his big return to the field. Through his defense, but also his vista and his external address, the former number 1 of the Draft air-conditioned the room in “money time”. Whether it’s planting a 3-pointer, or sending Jalen Duren (17 pts, 14 rebounds, 4 cts) to the alley-oop.
But the Heat of Bam Adebayo (22 points) and Jimmy Butler (19 points, 13 rebounds) came out with a miracle, with the precious help of Duncan Robinson and a double-double Kevin Love. It was a miracle because the Pistons had four match points in the last minute. They missed them all! Too bad for the first of Monty Williams on the bench.
TO REMEMBER
The Heat “clutch”. Last season, the Heat played 25 matches (regular season and playoffs combined), which were played to 3 points or less, and won 16 of them!
Hayes enterprising. The day Killian Hayes equips himself with a 3-point shot, he will do big damage! The Frenchman, holder, confirmed that he was much more aggressive in attack, and his duo works well with Cunningham. But it will work even better when put in from afar.
Miami punishes. How to target the difference between a 2023 finalist and a team used to targeting the first choice of the Draft? Just look at the first half with Miami players scoring 21 points on Detroit’s loose balls! Opposite, the Pistons only register 3…
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
