In a thrilling overtime clash, the Detroit Pistons narrowly defeated the Miami Heat 123-121 in an NBA Cup game on Tuesday night, thanks to a crucial free throw by Malik Beasley with just 1.1 seconds remaining. The tension escalated after Miami incurred a technical foul for calling a timeout they were not permitted to take.
As the clock wound down, Tyler Herro had previously put the Heat ahead with a jumper at 121-119. However, with urgency in the air, Cade Cunningham connected with Jalen Duren for an alley-oop on the ensuing inbounds play. The Heat’s ill-timed timeout allowed Beasley to convert the technical foul shot, placing the Pistons in the lead at 122-121. He then sealed the game with another free throw just before the buzzer sounded.
Both Beasley and Cunningham scored 21 points for Detroit, marking a significant improvement for the team that struggled last season with an 0-4 record in the NBA Cup. On the other side, Tyler Herro delivered an outstanding performance for the Heat, scoring a game-high 40 points, with 20 of those coming in a pivotal fourth quarter and overtime.
The game also featured unfortunate injuries, as Nikola Jovic had to exit early due to a collision that left him bloodied. In a separate incident, Tim Hardaway Jr. was injured during a play that required significant medical attention, leading to him being wheeled off the court.
The Pistons held a commanding 39-21 lead early in the second quarter but faced a comeback led by Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Duncan Robinson, who propelled Miami on a 23-4 run, turning the tide momentarily.
Looking ahead, the Pistons are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, while the Heat will take a break before their weekend games in Indiana.
This thrilling matchup not only showcased the resilience and determination of both teams but also highlighted the potential of the Pistons, who are determined to bounce back from last season’s struggles. With exciting talents like Cunningham and Beasley, Detroit fans can look forward to a promising season ahead. Meanwhile, the Heat will aim to regroup and harness the momentum from Herro’s exceptional performance as they continue their season.