The Miami Heat headed to the Palace in Auburn Hills as they faced the Detroit Pistons. Heading into the game, the Heat were going to be without Justise Winslow, who suffered an ankle sprain in Sunday’s game against the Orlando Magic. The Pistons would also be without a key player of their own in Reggie Jackson.
In the first quarter, both teams were having trouble getting their shots off until Goran Dragic would make the first points of the game for Miami. Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris would put Detroit on the board and give them the lead. Dragic and Luol Deng give Miami the lead again, although they were shooting 3 for 10 from the field. Steve Blake would get his name in the stat sheets for the Pistons with a layup and a basket, while Hassan Whiteside would do the same for the Heat with two blocked shots and a basket for the Heat. The Heat would continue their offense with Joe Johnson and Dragic, but the Pistons would answer back with Andre Drummond, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Stanley Johnson, who would tie the game. Amare Stoudemire would put the Heat ahead to end the first quarter with a 19 to 17 advantage.
In the second quarter, Aaron Baynes would tie the game for Detroit, but Miami would answer back quickly with a layup from Dragic and a pair of free throws from Gerald Green. During the quarter, Dragic would lose another tooth after getting whacked in the face by Spencer Dinwiddie, but continued playing as he casually tossed it to the side. Detroit would continue scoring with Anthony Tolliver and Reggie Bullock, Luol Deng would take over the scoring load for the Heat. Miami would go on a nine to four run, which was led by Whiteside and Dwyane Wade, but the Pistons went on a seven to nothing run led by Caldwell-Pope. By halftime, both teams were tied at 50.
As the third quarter began, Dwyane Wade would make a layup to give Miami the lead, but Detroit would answer back with a put back from Drummond, a slam dunk from Marcus Morris, and a pair of free throws from Harris. Whiteside would also make his presence felt with a jump shot, a pair of free throws, and another blocked shot. Whiteside would also make an error on the defense as he would make a goal tend, giving 2 points to Tobias Harris. Nevertheless, Miami would answer back with a bucket from Joe Johnson and a two pointer from Whiteside. Udonis Haslem would enter the game for Miami as the Pistons were beginning take over the game. This would lead to Miami taking back the lead from Detroit as they would end the third quarter with a 71 to 69 lead.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Detroit’s Aaron Baynes and Reggie Bullock would put their team ahead for awhile, only for Wade to tie the game for Miami. Miami would also get some scoring from Dragic and a three pointer from Joe Johnson to swing the game in their favor. Miami would then go on a fourteen to six run, which included another three pointer from Joe Johnson and a lob to Whiteside. Detroit would will themselves back in the game with some free throws from Harris, a two pointer and an extra basket by Drummond, plus a three pointer from Marcus Morris. In the closing moments, Joe Johnson and Luol Deng would make a pair of three pointers to seal a 99 to 93 victory for Miami.
Miami got another much needed win as they are now 3rd place in the Eastern Conference standings, despite having the same record as the Atlanta Hawks, who the Heat have beaten 3 out of 4 times in the regular season. Things got rocky for the Heat until they found their rhythm in the second half when Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, and Joe Johnson lead Miami’s offense. Miami also improved its defense by stopping the Pistons at times, and it has paid off.
Joe Johnson would surpass Chauncey Billups for ninth place on on the all time 3 pointer list, thanks to his performance in the second half. In addition to the Heat’s victory, Miami would acquire Dorrell Wright, who had spent the majority of the regular season playing in China. Wright was also part of Miami’s first championship run in 2006.
“I don’t like shooting here,” Wade said from The Palace’s cramped visitors’ locker room with an ice pack wrapped around his left shoulder.
For the Heat, Luol Deng has a double double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, Joe Johnson led the way with 25 points, Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade both with 14 points, and Goran Dragic with 16 points. For the Pistons, Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris made 16 points each, Andre Drummond with 9 points and 18 rebounds, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 17 points and Steve Blake with 10 points.
Miami now heads to Bean-Town for the final game of the regular season to face the Boston Celtics tonight at 8.
“It comes down to one game,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And both teams have something to play for.”
You can catch the game locally on Sun Sports or nationally on ESPN.
The Heat Check Magazine 