Advertisement

James Wiseman thrives, but Detroit Pistons scorched late by Miami Heat, 112-100

Detroit Pistons center James Wiseman dunks in the second half against the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena, March 19, 2023.

A hot night from James Wiseman put the Detroit Pistons in the driver's seat late. But Tyler Herro’s heroics allowed the Miami Heat to escape Little Caesars Arena with a needed victory.

Herro scored eight points — including the dagger 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining — to help power a 12-0 run that allowed the Heat to clinch a 112-100 win Sunday night. Wiseman’s tip in with 4:20 remaining in the game gave the Pistons a 98-96 lead, but Miami’s run followed. Herro’s 3-pointer gave the Heat a 108-98 lead, and Wiseman's bucket ended up being Detroit's final field goal of the night. The Pistons were outscored 38-19 in the fourth quarter.

Wiseman finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds while making 10 of 13 shot attempts for the NBA-worst Pistons (16-56), who have lost 14 of 15. Killian Hayes also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 assists, and Cory Joseph (16 points), Rodney McGruder (15 points, nine rebounds), Marvin Bagley II (14 points) and Jaden Ivey (11 points, five assists) also reached double figures.

NBA DRAFT BIG BOARD:How would top 7 prospects fit in this Pistons rebuild?

ADVERTISEMENT

STAR TURN:Pistons want Jalen Duren to become their version of Miami's Bam Adebayo, and he knows it

Jimmy Butler led all scorers with 26 points and 10 assists, and Bam Adebayo added 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Heat (39-34).

The Pistons started strong, shooting 13-for-20 in the first quarter, but went cold in the second quarter with a 5-for-19 performance. It allowed Miami to build an 11-point lead after a 13-2 run in the second quarter, before the Pistons answered with a 22-12 third-quarter run that helped them carry an 81-74 lead going into the final period. Detroit also finished cold, making just six of 19 shots in the final period. Ivey knocked down a pair of free throws with 58 seconds remaining for Detroit's final points of the night.

Jalen Duren left the game in the third quarter with a head injury. The Pistons' injury report is long, already without Cade Cunningham, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, Isaiah Stewart, Isaiah Livers, Hamidou Diallo and R.J. Hampton. Hampton was listed as questionable before the game with low back spasms before being ruled out.

Wiseman thrives in two-big lineup; Duren exits with injury