Cade Cunningham Shines, But Pistons Fall Short Against Heat
The Detroit Pistons faced a challenging start to the new year, suffering a hard-fought 118-112 defeat to the Miami Heat. While the loss stings, it showcased the brilliance of Cade Cunningham, who amassed 31 points and surpassed one million votes in the NBA’s first All-Star fan voting returns. His impressive performance, however, was overshadowed by Miami’s offensive firepower.
Heat’s Offensive Surge
Norman Powell was the standout for Miami, exploding for 36 points, including a remarkable seven three-pointers that lit up the scoreboard. Meanwhile, Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 points in approximately 30 minutes, punctuating his contributions with a series of highlight plays.
Miami started the game with an aggressive offensive strategy, as Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell struck early to set a commanding tone. Despite the Pistons’ efforts to rein in the Heat’s momentum with solid defense inside the arc, Miami’s offense quickly found its rhythm.
Pistons’ Struggles from Long Range
Detroit fought back valiantly, utilizing their inside game and drawing fouls for free throw opportunities. Duncan Robinson contributed the Pistons’ first three-pointer midway through the first quarter, one of only two they managed in that opening frame.
As the game progressed, Miami began to pull away, thanks to their sharpshooting. The Heat finished the night with 14 successful three-pointers out of 39 attempts, while the Pistons struggled to maintain their recent perimeter form. Despite a strong showing in their previous games, where they shot over 40% from beyond the arc in three of their last four outings, they only managed a 34.6% success rate against Miami, with Marcus Sasser leading the charge with four makes on six attempts.
Stewart’s Return to the Starting Lineup
Isaiah Stewart made his return to the starting lineup for the first time since a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in early December. The sixth-year Piston adapted well to the smaller lineups deployed by Detroit, contributing significantly to the team’s defensive efforts. He finished the game with a team-high five blocks, marking his third game this season with five or more rejections.
The contest was a testament to the Pistons’ potential, underscored by Cunningham’s All-Star ambitions. Yet, the challenge remains for Detroit as they seek to find consistency and capitalize on their strengths in the upcoming games.
