Heat snap four-game skid with win over Pistons

Field Level Media|published: Fri 15th March, 21:34 2024

Mar 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) dribbles the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Little Caesars Arena. credits: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Bam Adebayo produced 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as the Miami Heat snapped a four-game losing streak with a 108-95 win over the host Detroit Pistons on Friday.

Caleb Martin had 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Miami (36-30). Terry Rozier also scored 18 points, Duncan Robinson supplied 16 points and five assists and Jimmy Butler added 14 points.

Simone Fontecchio put up 24 points for the Pistons (12-54), who had won three of their previous four games. Jalen Duren had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey tossed in 14 points and handed out nine assists.

Detroit's Evan Fournier had 12 points, and Cade Cunningham was limited to 11 points on 5-for-15 shooting, though he added nine assists.

The Heat emerged from the first half with a 56-54 lead. Adebayo led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds as Miami's 3-point shooters made just 3 of 16 attempts.

Fontecchio topped the Pistons with 16 points before the break and Duren had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Neither team led by more than eight points during the half.

Adebayo made two baskets in the first two minutes of the second half off Robinson feeds to give Miami a 64-56 lead.

Duren's layup with 6:18 remaining in the quarter cut the Heat's advantage to 68-65. Miami then turned up the defense and reeled off 15 unanswered points.

Rozier scored the first six points on two layups and two free throws. Robinson then fired in three 3-pointers in a 48-second span, making steals prior to the last two of those long balls.

The Pistons finished the quarter with a 7-1 run but Miami still led 84-72 entering the fourth.

Butler scored on the first possession of the final quarter. Thomas Bryant's dunk off a Jaime Jaquez Jr. pass gave Miami a 94-79 lead with 8:16 lead.

Martin scored on consecutive possessions midway through the quarter to give Miami a 19-point advantage. Bryant stretched the lead past 20 points with a short jumper with 5:02 left.

The teams will play once again in Detroit on Sunday afternoon.

—Field Level Media

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