Detroit Pistons show heart in loss to Miami Heat: 3 takeaways

Pistons vs. Heat: Free throw and points in the paint

The Pistons lost this game at the free-throw line, where they went just 14-of-22 for a pathetic 63 percent.

The Miami Heat not only got WAY more attempts but knocked them down, going 35-of-39 for an outstanding 89 percent as a team.

Like usual, the Detroit Pistons couldn’t get a call, which has been a theme of late, but they can’t blame the refs for missing eight freebies in a game that was decided by seven points.

It was nice to see Isaiah Stewart back in the lineup and his impact was felt right away, as the Pistons won the battle of points in the paint. They were behind in points in the paint in all of the games Stewart missed but had a decisive 42-28 advantage in this one.

This was partly due to the number of fouls the Heat drew, as some of their points at the line might have been points in the paint, but it also shows the value of Beef Stew to this team, even on a night when he didn’t score much and had limited minutes due to foul trouble.

He challenges the sixth-most shots in the NBA and provides toughness the Pistons lack when he is on the bench.