The Miami Heat were looking to send a message to the Detroit Pistons Saturday night. Instead, it was the Heat that learned that they are not on the same level as the top-seeded Eastern Conference team. Even short-handed, the Pistons had their way with the Heat.
Miami would make it close late, but the Pistons controlled the game from the opening tip. Detroit would lead by as many as 22 in the second half, before holding on to a 138-135 win. As the top-seed in the East, the Pistons, even without Jalen Duren, proved that they are still head and shoulders above the rising Heat.