All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat: Defense rebounds in a big way against Pistons

By Duncan Smith

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 13: Goran Dragic #7 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat smile during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 13, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 13: Goran Dragic #7 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat smile during a game against the Detroit Pistons on March 13, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Detroit Pistons came to town to face the Miami Heat in a game with major playoff implications and were overwhelmed by a strong defensive effort.

The Miami Heat had something to prove defensively after allowing franchise records for 3-pointers allowed to be set against them in back-to-back games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors, and they proved it with a vengeance against the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons came into this game with the best offensive rating (114.4 points per 100 possessions) and the best 3-point shooting percentage (40.4 percent) in the NBA since the beginning of February, and it was clear from the start that the Heat had gameplanned to take away easy 3-point opportunities.

The Pistons went a mere 8-of-37 from long range, a mark of just 21.6 percent. The Heat threw a mix of zone and man coverage at the Pistons, and the Pistons were never able to adjust. Of some concern for the Pistons, this was the second straight game in which they were flummoxed by a zone defense after being held to just 75 points by the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night.

The Heat took over for good to begin the third quarter with a 21-0 start and never let up en route to a 54-25 beat down in the second half, and they got some theatrics in between Josh Richardson, Dwyane Wade and Derrick Jones Jr. while they were at it as you see in this clip from the official Heat Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/1106006527620591616

The Pistons are slumping badly but the uptick in defensive attention in this game from the Heat shows some promise. While the Pistons did end up getting 11 3-point attempts from the corners, they were difficult and challenging attempts with nothing conceded easily.

Next. What to make of Dwyane Wade's ownership hopes. dark

As mentioned in our preview, the Heat would have to win the battle of the bigs and limit Andre Drummond, and the duo of Bam Adebayo and Hassan Whiteside held him to five points, nine rebounds and he fouled out in 24 minutes while committing five turnovers. Safe to say, the Heat won that matchup.

Home/Heat News