The Pistons were outdone by a script that they know all too well
The Pistons’ performance, a narrow six-point loss at home to the Miami Heat on Thursday night, must be viewed as an aberration as Detroit failed in several key areas that the squad typically uses to dominate.
All season long, the Pistons have dominated the glass, score with volume in the paint and capitalize on turnovers with a quick-fire transition offense. But playing at home tonight, Detroit allowed the Heat to dictate the game, including these crucial areas, for most of the night.
Now, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham delivered with a textbook performance with 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks for the Detroit All-Star, but even Cade’s brilliance was not enough to slow down a Miami squad that attacked the boards with authority to help generate extra looks. In that department, the Heat outrebounded the Pistons by a 47-41 margin, and the visiting team was particularly successful on the offensive glass with 13 bonus possessions on the night.
When examining the transition game, the Heat held a steady in that department as well, 26-18. On most nights, the Pistons use their youth and turnover-forcing abilities to create fastbreak opportunities, but Miami was more effective in this facet on Thursday.
Now, the battle between the two squads was much more even in the paint, with the Pistons holding a slim 54-52 lead there. However, Detroit usually blows teams out with a heavy focus on scoring in the post, so this could be chalked up as a relative victory for the Heat.
Overall, the Pistons looked a bit sluggish on the court while moving to 25-9 on the season. Detroit was missing veteran forward Tobias Harris and guard Caris LeVert for this contest, but that actually served to distribute the minutes around to some players that do not see as regular of an opportunity.
To that effect, Pistons third-year guard Marcus Sasser had another massive performance, coming off the bench and immediately lighting it up with his perimeter shot, speed and defensive tenacity. Sasser scored 18 points against the Heat with another 4-for-6 performance from three-point range, and the Houston product is showing that he can provide the outside shooting that the Pistons so desperately need this season.
Apart from Sasser, Duncan Robinson has been the only reliable outside shot on Detroit’s roster this year at a 38.5% conversion rate, but Sasser’s return as an additional outside threat could really create some more balance on this Pistons team. Sasser has knocked down four triples in consecutive games now, and he’s proving that he finally feels up to speed after missing the early part of the season with a hip injury.
Pistons center Jalen Duren left the game during the second half due to a sprained ankle, and JD did not return to the contest.
Next, the Pistons will travel to Cleveland for a 2 pm game against the Cavaliers on Sunday, Jan. 4.
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