The Miami Heat’s woes deepened Wednesday night as they suffered their ninth consecutive loss, falling 116-113 to the Detroit Pistons at Kaseya Center. Miami, now sitting at 29-40, squandered yet another late lead, as Cade Cunningham’s game-winning three-pointer sealed another heartbreaking defeat for Erik Spoelstra’s squad.
The loss marked Miami’s longest losing streak since the 2007-08 season, a period that saw them drop 11 straight games. Despite leading for much of the contest and holding an eight-point advantage with just over nine minutes remaining, the Heat faltered in crunch time. A critical 22-13 Pistons run erased Miami’s edge, and Cunningham’s heroics delivered the decisive blow.
Tyler Herro, who finished with 29 points, nearly forced overtime after tying the game at 113 with five seconds remaining on a pair of clutch free throws. However, Detroit’s final possession proved fatal for Miami. Cunningham, with Bam Adebayo draped over him, hoisted a high-arching three that banked off the glass and through the net, sending the Heat into further despair. Miami’s desperation heave from Davion Mitchell fell short, sealing yet another demoralizing loss.
Adebayo played well despite the outcome, posting 30 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, while Herro added 29 points of his own. Rookie big man Kel’el Ware provided a spark with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, but their efforts ultimately weren’t enough to halt Miami’s downward spiral.
Miami’s fourth-quarter struggles were once again on display. Outscored 28-20 in the final period, the Heat’s inability to close games has been a defining issue throughout the losing streak. The team has now blown 17 fourth-quarter leads in losses this season, tied for the most in the NBA. Defensive breakdowns in the paint were particularly costly, as Detroit exploited Miami’s interior, scoring a staggering 70 points inside—far exceeding the Heat’s season average of 48.9 points allowed in the paint per game.
Cunningham led the Pistons with a triple-double, recording 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. His late-game shot-making overshadowed Miami’s otherwise strong defensive efforts against Detroit’s perimeter attack. The Pistons attempted just 23 three-pointers but connected on 39 percent, with Cunningham drilling two clutch shots from beyond the arc in the final minute.
Injuries and roster instability have also contributed to Miami’s struggles. Newly acquired forward Andrew Wiggins missed his second straight game with a lower leg contusion, and the Heat were without key rotation players such as Nikola Jovic, Dru Smith, and Isaiah Stevens. The constant lineup changes have made it difficult for the Heat to develop continuity, as evidenced by their use of 22 different starting lineups this season.
Despite the team’s downward trend, Spoelstra remains optimistic. “The only thing we have to do now is stay the course,” he said postgame. “You just have to find more resolve. We’re all getting tested in ways we don’t want to be tested, but there can be beauty in these challenges if we just stay stubborn.”
With just 13 games left in the regular season, the Heat remains in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, still positioned for a Play-In Tournament spot. However, with the losing streak reaching historic levels, Miami faces mounting pressure to regain form before it’s too late. The Heat’s homestand continues Friday against the Houston Rockets, where they will desperately seek to snap their losing skid and restore a glimmer hope in a season that has turned into a disaster.
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