Most would concede that both the Miami Heat and the Detroit Pistons became considerably better teams over the off-season. How did the two teams match up a season ago, and how will they preform this season?
After playing the Heat a total of four times, the Detroit Pistons came away with two victories last year. The first showdown however, did not prove to be fortuitous for the Pistons as they fell in overtime after Josh Richardson scored 27 points.
This was at the beginning of the Pistons small collapse to tip off the season, after winning their first four games they lost their next five, including this one to Miami.
Next came a game in January – a game in which Andre Drummond most notably did not play for a majority of the game after suffering a nasal injury in the first quarter. The Pistons led by 16 points at one point, before surrendering their lead and only scoring a total of 12 points in the third quarter – a quarter in which the Pistons struggled in all season.
Detroit had to play small and played Zaza Pachulia and Blake Griffin at center for the remainder of the game – the latter scoring 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. The Pistons were able to overcome adversity and come away with the win.
The third game was far and away one of the Pistons best victories of the season. Langston Galloway came in off the bench scoring the fastest 17 point anyone has ever seen, hitting 4-of-5 3-point attempts, and 6-of-7 from the field. Ish Smith was the spark plug Pistons fans always knew him to be – 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting and hit his only shot from deep. There was no conceivable way Detroit could lose this game with the way their second unit was clicking.
Detroit won the game, and continued their playoff push.
The final – Miami went on a 21-point run to open the second half, and won 108-74. There was nothing to say other than the playoff aspirations were looking tired.