Malik Beasley made a crucial technical free throw with 1.1 seconds left in overtime, helping the Detroit Pistons secure a thrilling 123-121 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday in the NBA Cup opener for both teams.
Tyler Herro, who had scored the final nine points of regulation with three 3-pointers to force overtime, put the Heat ahead by two with a bank shot with 1.8 seconds left in overtime. However, Jalen Duren quickly tied the game with an alley-oop dunk from Cade Cunningham off an inbounds pass.
Miami then called a timeout when they didn’t have any left, resulting in a technical foul. Beasley made one of two free throws, giving Detroit a 122-121 lead. After Miami was called for a take foul, Beasley made another free throw, sealing the win.
Beasley and Cunningham both finished with 21 points. Cunningham also had nine assists and seven rebounds but struggled with seven turnovers. Jaden Ivey added 19 points, Tobias Harris scored 18, and Isaiah Stewart had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Herro had a standout performance, scoring 40 points, including 10 3-pointers, which tied a Heat record and set an NBA Cup single-game record. Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and 12 rebounds.
The Heat were without Jimmy Butler, who is out with a sprained right ankle for the second consecutive game. Detroit started strong, scoring the first 10 points of the game and leading 32-21 by the end of the first quarter.
The Pistons’ lead grew to 18 points after scoring the first seven points of the second quarter, but the Heat responded with a 23-4 run to take a one-point lead. Detroit ended the half with a 10-4 run to go up 57-51.
Cunningham hit his first basket, a 3-pointer, to put Detroit up 64-59 early in the second half. The Pistons ended the third quarter with an 8-2 run to take a 91-82 lead.
Herro hit two quick 3-pointers to trim Detroit’s lead to eight midway through the fourth. After a dunk by Stewart gave Detroit a nine-point advantage, Herro exploded with consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 111. However, after a Pistons turnover, Herro missed a midrange shot on Miami’s final possession of regulation.
