FAST BREAKDOWN
Three quick observations from Tuesday night’s 117-108 loss to the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena
EARLY ONSLAUGHT – The Miami Heat did exactly what they were supposed to do to a team playing under duress – smack the Pistons in the mouth early with the full expectation their disadvantaged opponent would cash in early. The Pistons flipped the script – they cut a 29-point deficit to nine midway through the fourth quarter – but didn’t have enough in the tank without any of their veteran stars available for a stretch run.
The Pistons – who didn’t arrive in Miami from snowy Detroit until nearly dawn – showed the effects of their Monday travails, falling behind by double digits midway through the first quarter on a night they were further hampered by the absence of Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose.