Pistons Roll Past Heat 128-111, Leading From the Opening Minutes
Detroit opened on a 17-2 run and stayed in front all night, while Miami's slow start to the season now includes a franchise-worst 259 points allowed.
Detroit led from the opening minutes and never gave it back, beating Miami 128-111 on Friday night in a game that left both teams with injury questions and the Heat with a defensive problem.
How it was decided
The Pistons opened on a 17-2 run and led 65-53 at halftime, according to the Associated Press, and led wire-to-wire. John Collins scored 23 points, Paul Reed added 19 off the bench, Duncan Robinson had 17 and Cade Cunningham 16.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Miami with 36 points and 12 rebounds, and Davion Mitchell scored 18, with Bobby Portis Jr. adding 11 off the bench. The support around them was thin. Bam Adebayo was scoreless in the first half, with one shot and three fouls in seven minutes, and finished with four points. Klay Thompson missed all five of his first-half three-pointers and ended with six points on 2-for-11 shooting.
Injuries on both sides
Detroit's win came with a cost. Jalen Duren played 10 first-half minutes before leaving with a right thigh issue, and Ausar Thompson left in the third quarter after an awkward fall. The AP reported that both would be evaluated Saturday and that no update was given after the game.
What it means
For Miami, the concern is at the other end of the floor. The Heat have allowed a franchise-worst 259 points through two games and have been outscored by a combined 42 points. They are 0-2 for only the eighth time in the franchise's 39-year history. The AP noted it is the first time Antetokounmpo has played in a season's first two games and seen his team start 0-2; Milwaukee also began 0-2 in 2015-16, but he was suspended for that opener.
Detroit is 2-0 for the first time since 2018-19. The Pistons visit Philadelphia on Sunday and face the New York Knicks on Tuesday, per the AP; Miami goes to Charlotte on Saturday.