Jimmy Butler III scored 26 points (15 in the fourth quarter), and the Miami Heat went on a 15-0 run in the third quarter to beat the Detroit Pistons 118-110.
The Pistons went on a 14-4 run to lead 69-65 with 9:40 left in the third quarter. Terry Rozier’s 3-pointer put the Heat ahead for good with 8:17 left in the quarter. He made 2 3-pointers, both on passes from Butler during the run, and they led 80-69 with 6:54 left in the quarter.
The Pistons got within 106-105 on Jalen Duren’s 2 free throws with 2:40 to play, but Rozier answered with a driving layup, and the Pistons got no closer.
During clutch time, the Heat outscored the Pistons 12-5. Butler scored 7 of the Heat’s 12 on 2 for 2 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line.
Butler scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter.
For the Pistons, Cade Cunningham had 23 points and 8 assists, and Simone Fontecchio added 22 points (11 in the second quarter) with 5 3-pointers off the bench.
The Heat shot 49.4% from the field and 45.2% from 3 to the Pistons’ 43.8% and 28.6%.