Miami's biggest lead in its 131-106 opening loss to Minnesota was 4 points. Tonight's opponent, Detroit, won 60 games last season and is 1-0 this year.
The Rout Lingers
Minnesota led by 30 on Wednesday, and nothing about the night was close. Antetokounmpo scored 35 on 13-of-19 shooting. The next-best Heat scorer was Adebayo with 15. The starters scored 82 points and the bench scored 16. Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald carried the locker-room verdict: "We weren't ourselves." ESPN's Cameron Wolfe reported that Antetokounmpo said the Heat need to trust each other more. One set of power rankings now puts Miami 27th, a week after it sat 13th.
Detroit Brings Muscle
The Pistons finished last season with a 108.9 defensive rating and a plus-8.4 net. Cade Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists. Jalen Duren put up 19.5 points and 10.5 boards a night. Taurean Prince is day-to-day for personal reasons. Miami has no one on its injury report, so health is not an excuse.
Protect the Ball
Davion Mitchell had 11 assists against Minnesota, but he also had 5 turnovers and finished at minus-27. Adebayo was minus-28 in 31 minutes. Careless possessions against Cunningham turn into easy points the other way. Spoelstra's group has to be cleaner from the opening tip.
No Day Off
Miami plays at Charlotte on October 24 and then hosts Dallas on October 26. Opening the home slate with three games in four nights is a conditioning test, and it starts tonight. A team that runs out of energy in the second half of game one gets exposed by game three.
Bottom Line
Antetokounmpo held up his end. Andrew Wiggins scored 11 on 5-of-11 shooting, and Klay Thompson made 3 of 6 threes in only 16 minutes. The open question is who gives Antetokounmpo real help against a defense this good. If nobody does, Detroit will load up on him and make someone else beat them.
When do the Heat play the Pistons?
Miami hosts Detroit tonight, October 23. The Heat play at Charlotte the next night.
Are any Heat players injured against Detroit?
No Heat player is on the injury report. For Detroit, Taurean Prince is day-to-day for personal reasons.
