DETROIT — — Bam Adebayo scored a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Miami Heat to a 104-101 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Cade Cunningham missed a 3-pointer for Detroit with 9 seconds left and Terry Rozier sprinted up the court with the rebound. He couldn’t reach the basket, so he threw the ball to Adebayo, who made the 12th three-pointer of his seven-year career.
“Sometimes there’s karma in this game,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Bam was just outstanding for us, especially defensively, with everything he did and everything he had on the glass. Sometimes the ball finds that guy.
A week ago, Adebayo was a career 11.8 percent 3-point shooter. He’s 3-for-3 in the last three games, including Sunday’s 30-footer from the top of the arc.
“I saw it was his fourth of the season, but that’s basketball,” said Evan Fournier, who scored 18 points, a season high for Detroit.
Duncan Robinson scored a season-high 30 points for Miami on 10-of-15 shooting. Adebayo had 20 points and 17 rebounds as the Heat beat the Pistons for the second time in three days.
Robinson made his 1,000th career 3-pointer in the first quarter. He reached the 343-game mark, breaking the NBA record of 350 set by Buddy Hield.
Cunningham had 17 points and nine assists, but he went 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.
The Pistons honored their 2004 NBA champion team at halftime, and one of the stars had encouraging words for a fan base that hasn’t seen a playoff victory since 2008, nor a 30-year season. victories since 2018.
“They’ll be fine,” said Portland Trail Blazers coach and 2004 Finals MVP Chauncey Billups. “It just takes time.”
Miami played without Jimmy Butler, forcing Spoelstra to use his franchise-record 32nd starting lineup of the season.
“When you don’t have Jimmy and you don’t have Tyler (Herro), you have to maximize your next best plays,” he said. “Bam will always be involved, but Duncan has touched every aspect of the game offensively.”
Robinson converted a four-point play with 2:00 left, giving Miami a 101-96 lead. Isaiah Stewart’s 3-pointer cut the margin to two and Adebayo’s putback was decided just after the shot clock expired.
Cunningham’s layup tied the game and Robinson turned the ball over to give Detroit a chance to take its first lead of the game.
With the shot clock stopped, Cunningham made the 3-pointer earlier than expected.
“Maybe it was a little too much time, but if he hit the shot, no one would say a word,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “I’m not going to go after anyone for that kind of possession.”
Miami led 90-85 with 6:33 to play, thanks to a possession when Adebayo fouled out and grabbed three offensive rebounds before tipping in the final one. But Fournier responded with his fourth 3 and Jalen Duren tied it at the free throw line.
The Heat led 60-50 at halftime and increased the margin to 73-56 on Haywood Highsmith’s jump hook midway through the quarter.
FOLLOWING
Heat: At the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
Pistons: At the Boston Celtics on Monday.
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