March 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Duncan Robinson (55) takes a shot in the second half of a game against the Brooklyn Nets at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Image The Miami Heat, who are on a 4-game winning streak, are about to be tested.
Miami hosts the Detroit Pistons, who have the best record in the Eastern Conference, on Sunday. And the Pistons could land in Miami with an upset at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets, who fell 107-105 last Saturday night, after squandering a 23-point lead for their third straight loss (their longest losing streak of the season).
There were extenuating circumstances in that loss, as Detroit star Cade Cunningham missed the game with a left quadriceps contusion, an injury suffered in Thursday’s win over San Antonio. Cunningham could reportedly return on Sunday. He ranks 12th in the NBA in scoring (25.2) and second in assists (9.8).
The Pistons also played Saturday’s game without starting forward Ausar Thompson, who sprained his right ankle earlier in the week.
“Ausar means a lot to us,” Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff said. “We’re going to miss what he does defensively. We’ve got to find a way to pick him up.”
In fact, Thompson, who averages 10.2 points, ranks fifth on the team in minutes per game (25.6). However, he ranks first in steals (1.9), offensive rebounds (2.1), second in total rebounds (5.9), and tied for second in blocks (0.9).
This season, the Pistons and Heat have split two games, with each team winning on their rival’s home court. Cunningham averaged 30 points in two games. Sunday’s game concludes the season series between the teams.
In Cunningham’s absence, Jalen Duren had 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds on Saturday.
Another Pistons player to watch is Duncan Robinson. He spent his first seven NBA seasons in Miami before landing in Detroit in July. Robinson leads Detroit in 3-point attempts with 172.
Detroit will have a shorter break from the Heat, who haven’t played since defeating the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Miami suffered injuries of its own as leading scorer Norman Powell missed his fourth straight game with a groin injury. Powell is averaging 22.5 points.
In addition to Powell, the Heat played Friday without starting pitcher Andrew Wiggins (knee and toe) and role players Nikola Jovic (back) and Simone Fontecchio (groin). Wiggins has appeared in a team-high 57 games and is averaging 15.9 points per game.
The Heat are led by Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
On Friday, Herro had 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in an impressive 128-120 win at Charlotte, which had a six-game winning streak snapped. Herro, who played in only 19 of 64 games this season due to injury, made 8 of 10 3-pointers.
Adebayo also had a strong performance on Friday, scoring 24 points and 12 rebounds.
This season, Herro is averaging 21.9 points and 3.7 assists. Adebayo is averaging 18.8 points and a team-high 9.8 rebounds.
“Bam and Tyler set the tone for us,” said Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s top reserve player. “But it was a whole team effort.”
The Heat, who are 20-11 at home, appear to be heating up at the right time as the playoffs approach. Miami is battling the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic for the final two playoff spots in the East.
“I think we have the collective will,” Heat guard Dru Smith said. “Hopefully we can continue to put our offense and defense together.”
–Field level media
