Heat Fall Short in Overtime After Furious Comeback, Streak Snapped at Four

The Miami Heat clawed back from a 19-point deficit, rallied to force overtime, but couldn’t hold on as Tim Hardaway Jr.’s clutch shooting handed the Detroit Pistons a 125-124 victory on Monday night. Miami’s four-game winning streak came to an end in heartbreaking fashion, despite a historic performance from Jimmy Butler. Butler delivered a masterpiece for the Heat, finishing with 35 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals — a stat line that places him in rare company. Only DeMarcus Cousins in 2018 and George McInnis in 1976 have posted such a performance in NBA history. Yet, even Butler’s heroics were not enough to stave off a Pistons team that caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting 20-of-40 3-pointers, including three massive shots from Hardaway in overtime.

After falling behind early in the second half, Miami looked out of answers as Detroit pushed its lead to 19 points with an 11-2 run in the third quarter. But just when it seemed like the game was slipping away, the Heat stormed back with a furious 18-2 run to close regulation, led by Butler’s relentless effort and a defense that tightened when it mattered most. Miami carried that momentum into overtime, opening with an 8-0 burst to seemingly take control. But the Pistons found life in the form of Hardaway, who drained two quick 3-pointers to pull Detroit within two. Moments later, with Miami leading 122-120 and under two minutes remaining, Tyler Herro’s off-balance jumper missed the mark, setting the stage for Hardaway’s third 3-pointer of overtime — a dagger that put Detroit ahead for good.

Butler answered with a layup to keep Miami’s hopes alive, but Cade Cunningham, who notched a triple-double of his own with 20 points, 18 assists, and 11 rebounds, responded with a tough basket to maintain Detroit’s slim edge. Herro had two final opportunities to be the hero, but his contested jumper and a last-second 3-point attempt both fell short, sealing the win for the Pistons. It was a frustrating night for Herro, who extended his streak to 58 games with a made 3-pointer but struggled overall, shooting 4-of-17 from deep.

Despite the loss, Butler’s brilliance stood out, carrying the Heat with his all-around effort in a game where Miami’s supporting cast couldn’t quite deliver down the stretch. Detroit, on the other hand, overcame injuries to key players like Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris, while Malik Beasley’s 28 points and Hardaway’s late-game heroics proved to be the difference. The Heat will look to regroup as they return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, aiming to bounce back and start a new winning streak. While the comeback showcased Miami’s fight, it also served as a reminder that digging early holes against sharp-shooting teams can be a recipe for heartbreak.

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