Heat win back-and-forth game over Pistons / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Credit Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Herro had 29 points and Max Strus scored 26, including the go-ahead 3-point basket in the final minute, as the host Miami Heat topped the Detroit Pistons 115-112 on Thursday.

Player of the Game EFF 24 Tyler Herro Points 29 Accuracy 11-21 Rebounds 4 Assists 4

Kyle Lowry contributed 21 points and six assists, while Gabe Vincent had 15 points and seven assists.

Trey Lyles scored a career-high 28 points for the Pistons, who have lost 16 of their last 17 games. Saddiq Bey had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Cory Joseph supplied 21 points and nine assists, and Frank Jackson tossed in 19 points for Detroit.

Both teams were decimated by injuries or illness. The Heat were missing starters Jimmy Butler, P.J. Tucker and Bam Adebayo due to injuries.

The Pistons had only nine players available after five entered the league's health and safety protocols this week, including starters Isaiah Stewart, Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes. Pistons coach Dwane Casey missed the game due to personal reasons.

The game was tied at 29 after the first quarter. Clinging to a 45-43 lead with just under eight minutes left in the first half, the Pistons reeled off 11 unanswered points, including eight from Lyles.

Herro ended the run with a layup, and Miami closed the half with a 12-5 spurt, cutting Detroit's advantage to 61-55. Herro had 20 points in the first half, and Lyles led Detroit with 16.

The Heat used an 11-2 run that included five points from Vincent to take a 73-72 lead midway through the third quarter. Udonis Haslem scored seven points in the last 3:45 of the quarter as Miami held an 88-87 lead after three periods.

Herro scored six points in the first 2:17 of the fourth to give the Heat a 96-92 edge. The Pistons hung around and took a 103-100 lead when Joseph nailed a 3-pointer with 4:49 remaining. Lowry scored two baskets in a 29-second span to cut Detroit's lead to one, 110-109.

Herro drained a 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring and 1:12 left to put the Heat on top. A bucket by Bey tied it, but Strus answered with his 3-pointer and 40.4 seconds left. Joseph missed a corner 3-point try in the closing seconds.

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