Pistons overcome injuries, Heat star's big game in blowout win

MIAMI — At the end of the third quarter, fans inside the Kaseya Center expressed their frustration toward the Miami Heat with boos.

The displeasure seemed to stem not only from Giannis Antetokounmpo’s unsuccessful foul-drawing attempt, which led to a poor shot, but also from the Detroit Pistons‘ strong performance throughout the game. As a result, the Pistons took a commanding 103-80 lead into the fourth quarter.

Despite a subpar start to the final period, the Pistons left with a 128-111 win over the Heat on Friday, Oct. 23. The Pistons have started the 2026-27 season 2-0.

BOX SCORE: Pistons 128, Heat 111

John Collins led the Pistons with 23 points and seven rebounds. Duncan Robinson continued his hot shooting from the Pistons’ season-opening win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, adding 17 points while going 5-for-10 from deep.

Collins and Robinson scored the Pistons’ first nine points, shooting a combined 3-for-3 from deep. Both players went on to score six and 11 points, respectively, in the first quarter, giving Detroit a 41-26 lead. The Pistons finished the quarter 8-for-15 from deep and maintained that production all game. They finished 50% from deep, with 18 made triples.

Despite adding 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting and eight assists, Cade Cunningham played below par. He accounted for seven of Detroit’s 20 turnovers. He also spent most of the night in foul trouble by picking up five.

The Pistons earned a wire-to-wire win over the Heat, but the win came with challenges as Detroit lost both Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson to injuries. Duren left midway through the second quarter with a right thigh injury. Later, Thompson exited in the third quarter after a hard fall that caused a back injury. Neither player returned after the injury.

Paul Reed started in Duren’s place in the second half and scored 12 of his 19 points. Reed finished with a double-double, grabbing 11 rebounds. Isaiah Joe had his best game since joining the Pistons by adding 12 points off the bench.

With the loss, the Heat opened their highly anticipated season 0-2. After a slow start, Antetokounmpo led Miami with 36 points on 15-for-26 shooting, plus 12 rebounds and five assists. Davion Mitchell added 18 points.

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons overcome injuries, Heat star’s big game in blowout win