The Detroit Pistons recently lost to the Miami Heat, 106-98, suffering their fourth straight loss to start the 2024-25 season. This defeat follows a 124-118 loss to the Boston Celtics, where Detroit erased a 23-point deficit and held a six-point lead with five minutes remaining. However, Boston’s championship pedigree showed late, as a 10-4 run handed the Pistons their third straight loss. Given their strong performances, one could argue they deserve to be 4-0 instead of winless.
In what has become a familiar pattern, the Pistons faltered once again in the fourth quarter. Cade Cunningham continues to trend upward, while Jaden Ivey continues to play the best basketball of his young career. Malik Beasley struggled to find his rhythm, but Tim Hardaway Jr. ignited Detroit’s third-quarter comeback with his perimeter shooting. Despite their efforts, the team couldn’t finish strong and let the game slip away again.
The Heat have now beaten the Pistons in five straight games. Each one of their games has been ultra-competitive, usually coming down to the wire. As Detroit travels to Philadelphia to face the 76ers, let’s dive into some key takeaways from tonight’s loss.
Common Problems Continue to Plague Pistons Amid 0-4 Season Start
Duren Faces Another Test Against Adebayo
Jalen Duren encountered another tough matchup tonight, continuing a trend from his first three games. Up until the last game, Duren averaged 11.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and shot 86%, but he has struggled against elite competition. Opposing centers Myles Turner, Jarrett Allen, and Al Horford have combined to average 18 points and 8.3 rebounds, using their experience to outplay the young big man. Against the Heat, Duren faced another elite challenge in Bam Adebayo.
Fresh off an Olympic gold with Team USA, Adebayo has yet to find his rhythm this season. In his first three games, he has averaged just 11 points and 8.7 rebounds on 38.7% shooting. However, his early struggles shouldn’t fool anyone—Adebayo has averaged 15.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 18 career games against Detroit.
Last night, both players effectively canceled each other out. Duren’s defense limited Adebayo’s aggressiveness, but the Heat center found moments to exploit Duren’s perimeter defense. Bam posted 12 points and 10 rebounds while Duren recorded 10 points and 11 rebounds. Overall, Duren played a solid game, scoring efficiently in the paint and showing potential as a rim protector when not forced to defend on the perimeter.
Pistons Struggle Against Perimeter Shooting and Bench Players
After holding the Pacers to 9-of-31 shooting from deep in their season opener, Detroit allowed the Cavaliers and Celtics to combine for 35-of-82 (42%) from three in their next two games. Despite ranking 14th in three-pointers made per game (13.3), the Heat launched 47 threes against the Pistons, hitting 15. Unfortunately, many of those misses weren’t due to strong defense—Detroit’s perimeter defense remained below average, and the Heat simply missed some open looks.
A recurring issue for the Pistons has been allowing a bench player to make a significant impact. In previous games, Bennedict Mathurin scored 14 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Ty Jerome added 13, and Payton Pritchard chipped in 19. Last night, Jaime Jaquez Jr. came off the bench to score 12 points and grab nine rebounds. His minutes sparked several key runs that forced the Pistons to fight hard to stay competitive.
Pistons’ Collective Strategy Has Failed to Neutralize Stars
In addition to letting bench players have big scoring nights the Pistons’ defense has failed to neutralize the opposing team’s stars. Jimmy Butler got off to a slow start this season, scoring three points on opening night. Regardless, Butler remains a two-way threat capable of taking over games. He showcased this by notching 23 points and seven assists to beat the Pistons. Detroit needed to pressure him early to force him into foul trouble.
Containing Butler required a collective effort. His relentless play on both offense and defense frustrates opponents, often forcing them into foul trouble. Butler dictated the game from the outset. His aggressiveness drew fouls on Detroit’s defenders, and his playmaking opened opportunities for his teammates. Jayson Tatum poured in 37 points against the Pistons further underscoring the Pistons’ inability to contain stars. To compete in future matchups, the Pistons must stay more disciplined defensively, especially against star players.
The Last Word
The Pistons continue to show promise but are still searching for consistency and the ability to close out games. Their fourth-quarter struggles, defensive lapses, and inability to contain key bench contributions remain hurdles. However, individual performances from Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey offer hope for improvement. As they prepare to face the 76ers, Detroit will need to build on their positives, tighten up defensively, and play a full 48 minutes to turn these flashes of potential into their first win.
