For the second-straight game, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored at least 35 points, recording 36 on Friday.
And for the second-straight game, the Heat provided nowhere near enough help for the 10-time All-Star.
Despite an outstanding game from their newest superstar, Cade Cunningham and the Pistons pummeled Miami 128-111 inside Kaseya Center.
This marks the first time they have started 0-2 since 2022-23 and the first time they have lost both their first two home games since 2023-24, when it started 1-4.
The Heat shot just 38.2 percent from the floor and 15-of-51 from 3-point range. More importantly, the two shooters they acquired this summer — Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. — combined to go 4-of-16 from deep; Davion Mitchell shot 3-of-9 from deep, despite finishing with 18 points, five assists and two blocks; Andrew Wiggins was 1-of-6 from deep; Pelle Larsson was also 1-of-4.
Bam Adebayo played one of his worst games in a Heat uniform. Adebayo picked three first-quarter fouls and had just two rebounds to his name in the first half. He had six points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, but looked three steps too slow the whoel night.
Detroit withstood an early injury from Jalen Duren, who played just 10 minutes before departing with a hamstring injury. Paul Reed stepped in and provided a massive impact, tallying 19 points with 11 rebounds. From the opening tip, the newest Piston, John Collins, had 23 points on 5-of-6 from deep.
The greatest shooter in Heat history, Duncan Robinson, also had a great night, scoring 17 points with five threes.
Overall, it was another sluggish performance from Miami. They are shooting well, they aren’t defending well and they’re getting outhustled on the glass and on loose balls.
They hit the road for their first road trip of the new season, completing the second leg of a back-to-back tomorrow night against teh Charlotte Hornets.
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that port bc way overcrowded any one of 4 would do.heat bucks could be close game
I am no coach but I think the offense could benefit from incorporating more high-low actions and inverted pick-and-rolls to maximize both Bam Adebayo’s and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s strengths.
For example, when Giannis drives downhill and draws multiple defenders, Bam could position himself around the elbow as a passing outlet, provided the passing lane is open. Once Bam receives the ball, he can read the defense and choose between a dribble handoff, a quick feed to Giannis sealing near the rim, an open midrange jumper, a short-roll pass, or a backdoor pass to a cutting teammate.
The important part is that Bam shouldn’t become stationary after making his decision. Depending on how the defense reacts, he can set a screen for a shooter, roll toward the rim, cut into open space, or relocate to maintain a useful passing angle. Combining these actions with inverted pick-and-rolls could give the offense more ways to create mismatches, exploit defensive rotations, and keep both bigs involved without forcing Bam to rely on three-point shooting or isolation scoring.
impressive stuff here does spo read this site how can we get this to top 15.makes sense bam looks lost in space if your old u remember that show
Mama said…………
knock u out
Mama told you not to come…