In a gripping NBA Cup encounter, the Detroit Pistons narrowly defeated the Miami Heat 123-121, highlighting an intense game filled with dramatic moments.
The pivotal moment came with Malik Beasley making a decisive free throw with just 1.1 seconds left in overtime. This opportunity arose after Miami called a timeout when they had none remaining, resulting in a technical foul. Previously, Tyler Herro’s jumper had given Miami a 121-119 advantage with only 1.8 seconds remaining.
Cade Cunningham played a crucial role for the Pistons, setting up Jalen Duren for an alley-oop on the inbounds play after the timeout, tying the score. Following the technical timeout infringement by Miami, Beasley converted the free hit and soon after sealed the win by adding another free throw with 0.1 seconds left on the clock.
Both Beasley and Cunningham contributed significantly to the Pistons’ offense, each scoring 21 points. Last year’s NBA Cup was challenging for the Pistons as they ended winless, which made this narrow victory even more significant.
On the other hand, Tyler Herro shone brightly for the Heat, registering an impressive 40 points. His performance was particularly remarkable in the fourth quarter and overtime, where he scored 20 points.
However, the game was marred by injuries. Nikola Jovic left the game early due to a collision that led to a bloody nose and mouth. The third quarter saw another concerning incident when Tim Hardaway Jr. was hit in the head and had to be taken off in a wheelchair after extensive medical attention.
Initially, the Pistons had a commanding lead of 39-21 in the second quarter, suggesting they might run away with the game. However, a spirited comeback led by Bam Adebayo, Herro, and Duncan Robinson put Miami in front 44-43 shortly before halftime.
Herro’s performance was noteworthy in the fourth quarter, where he demonstrated sharpshooting by hitting six out of eight attempts from the three-point range. This scoring drive was crucial in keeping the Heat competitive.
Looking ahead, the Pistons are set to face Milwaukee next, while the Heat will have a brief break before facing Indiana.
The Detroit Pistons’ narrow victory over the Miami Heat underscores the unpredictability and excitement of the NBA Cup’s competitive landscape, highlighting both teams’ determination and resolve.
Source: WSVN 7News
