The Miami Heat were looking to send a message to the Detroit Pistons Saturday night. Instead, it was the Heat that learned that they are not on the same level as the top-seeded Eastern Conference team. Even short-handed, the Pistons had their way with the Heat.
Miami would make it close late, but the Pistons controlled the game from the opening tip. Detroit would lead by as many as 22 in the second half, before holding on to a 138-135 win. As the top-seed in the East, the Pistons, even without Jalen Duren, proved that they are still head and shoulders above the rising Heat.
The Heat's offensive issues plagued them again
The Heat's 44-point fourth quarter made the final score respectable, but through three quarters, the team's offense still seemed off. It looked better down the stretch, but you can't help but wonder how much that was due to Detroit taking its foot off the gas a bit.
The Tyler Herro fit still looks a bit wonky, and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is still trying to find the right rotation with the roster finally healthy.
Miami was without Jaime Jaquez Jr., but it does seem that the Heat has some big identity questions they need to ask before that even becomes a viable excuse.
Right now, the Heat doesn't look as comfortable as it did during the first month of the season. While many will quickly jump to the conclusion that it's Herro's fault for the Heat's offensive issues of late, I'm not sure it's that simple.
There could be many issues at play here, and Spo needs to get to the bottom of it. And quickly.
If Miami is going to continue to emerge as the surprise team they want to be in the East, they're going to have to figure some things out on the offensive end of the floor. That's what has held this team back over the last few games.
And, sure, the Heat was able to get by the Dallas Mavericks and an undermanned Milwaukee Bucks team with those offensive issues, but not against the Pistons.
If the Heat wants to prove that they deserve to be in the same conversation with the rest of the top seeds in the East, they have to play much more consistently on the offensive end of the floor than they've performed over the last few games.
Miami got a rude awakening against the Pistons. How will they respond now?