The Miami Heat, who have won four straight games, are about to get tested.
Miami will host the Detroit Pistons, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference, on Sunday. And the Pistons could land in Miami angry after being upset by the lowly Brooklyn Nets, 107-105, on Saturday night as they squandered a 23-point lead for their third consecutive defeat — their longest losing streak of the season.
There were extenuating circumstances to that loss as Detroit star Cade Cunningham missed the game due to a left quadriceps contusion, an injury he suffered against San Antonio on Thursday. Cunningham could return on Sunday, according to reports. He ranks 12th in the NBA in scoring (25.2) and second in assists (9.8).
The Pistons also played on Saturday without starting forward Ausar Thompson, who suffered a sprained right ankle earlier in the week.
“Ausar means a lot to us,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “What he does defensively, we will miss. We have to find a way to pick him up.”
Indeed, Thompson — who averages 10.2 points — ranks fifth on the team in minutes per game (25.6). But he’s first in steals (1.9), second in offensive rebounds (2.1) and total rebounds (5.9), and tied for second in blocks (0.9).
This season, the Pistons and Heat have split two games, with each squad winning on their rival’s home court. Cunningham averaged 30 points in those two games. The Sunday game will conclude the season series between the teams.
In Cunningham’s absence, Jalen Duren had 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds on Saturday.
Another Pistons player to watch is Duncan Robinson, who played his first seven NBA seasons with Miami before landing in Detroit in July. Robinson leads Detroit in 3-point attempts made with 172.
Detroit will be playing on shorter rest than the Heat, who haven’t competed since defeating the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Miami has its own key injury as leading scorer Norman Powell has missed four straight games due to a groin injury. Powell is averaging 22.5 points.
Beyond Powell, the Heat played on Friday without starter Andrew Wiggins (knee and toe) and role players Nikola Jovic (back) and Simone Fontecchio (groin). Wiggins has started a team-high 57 games and is averaging 15.9 points per game.
The Heat are led by Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
On Friday, Herro posted 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in an impressive 128-120 win at Charlotte, which saw its six-game winning streak snapped. Herro, who has played just 19 of 64 games this season due to injuries, made 8-of-10 shots from 3-point range.
Adebayo also was a force on Friday, providing 24 points and 12 rebounds.
For the season, Herro is averaging 21.9 points and 3.7 assists. Adebayo is averaging 18.8 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds.
“Bam and Tyler set the tone for us,” said Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s top reserve. “But it was a total team effort.”
The Heat, 20-11 at home, seemingly are getting hot at the right time as the playoffs approach. Miami is fighting with the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic for the final two guaranteed playoff spots in the East.
“I think we have a collective grit,” Heat guard Dru Smith said. “Hopefully we can continue to put our offense and defense together.”
