The Detroit Pistons were on track to end a two-game losing streak in commanding fashion. Instead, they needed clutch plays to close out a win after giving up a big fourth-quarter run.
They defeated the Miami Heat on the road, 138-135, thanks to big shots by Cade Cunningham and Daniss Jenkins. After leading by 22 points with 8:09 remaining in the game, the Heat went on a furious 30-10 run to cut the lead to two with under a minute remaining.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) fouls Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half at Kaseya Center in Miami on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.SCHEDULE CHANGE: Here's who Detroit Pistons play now after NBA Cup elimination
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJenkins (nine points, four assists and two steals) made a layup with 40.5 seconds remaining to extend the lead back to four, 133-129. After the Heat cut it to two again, Cunningham hit a midrange jumper with 20.2 seconds on the clock to make it a two-possession game. On the other end, Cunningham knocked the ball out of Norm Powell's hands during.a drive to the rim and forced a Heat turnover to help ice the win. With 4.4 seconds left, Jenkins made two free throws to extend the lead to five, 138-133.
The Pistons were without Jalen Duren, who suffered a lower left leg contusion during Friday's 112-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. They also were without Caris LeVert (right knee soreness) on the second half of a back-to-back.
Tobias Harris scored 26 points on 10-for-12 shooting, and Duncan Robinson added 18 points in his return to the city he spent the first seven years of his career. Paul Reed (13 points, 10 rebounds), Ausar Thompson (10 points, eight rebounds) and Ron Holland (10 points, three assists and three steals) also scored in double figures. The Heat were led by Powell's 28 points.
Cade Cunningham leads all-around hot offensive night
He’s the NBA’s leading scorer in the fourth quarter, but Cunningham was hot in the first on Saturday. He scored nine points on 4-for-5 shooting and dished out four assists in the first quarter, helping the Pistons open a 36-23 lead at the end of the period. They shot 15-for-24 (62.5%) and ended the quarter on a 13-0 run to take control.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe offense stagnated when Cunningham subbed out toward the end of the quarter, allowing the Heat to open the second quarter with a 12-0 run. The Pistons’ momentum promptly picked back up when Cunningham checked in with Thompson with 9:45 to play before halftime. Cunningham converted a pair of tough finishes during a 9-0 Pistons run that extended their lead back to double digits.
By halftime, the Pistons were up 12 and Cunningham had seemingly done the bulk of his work for the night with 19 points and five assists. In the second half, his teammates stayed hot as the Pistons built a solid lead.
The Pistons’ second unit answered a Heat run with nine unanswered points to extend a 10-point lead to 19 late in the third quarter. Six points were scored in a 10-second stretch that featured two free throws from Reed and back-to-back steals by Holland and Jenkins, who both scored on the other end.
Harris scored 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting in the second half as the Pistons led by as many as 22. His 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter pushed their lead to 20 for the first time, 111,91, with 11:15 to play. Even after giving up a big Heat run in the final period, they shot 11-for-18 in the fourth quarter and 59.1% in the second half.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDaniss Jenkins, Paul Reed take advantage of opportunity
Despite both posting big performances as the Pistons battled injuries during their 13-game winning streak, Reed and Jenkins have both played limited minutes over the last week as the team has gotten healthier.
Saturday marked the first time in four games Jenkins played double-digit minutes. He was pivotal during the second unit’s 9-0 run at the end of the third quarter and helped the Pistons close out the game with his late bucket and free throws in the final minute.
It was Reed’s first time playing double-digit minutes in six games, and he tallied his second double-double of the season.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons snap 2-game skid with 138-135 win over Miami Heat
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