Heat take advantage of Pistons' woeful third quarter in win

[March 14, 2019]  Justise Winslow led a balanced attack with 16 points and the host Miami Heat scored the first 21 points of the second half to roll past the Detroit Pistons 108-74 on Wednesday.

The Heat outscored the Pistons 33-8 in the third quarter. It was Detroit's lowest scoring quarter since Nov. 21, 2012, when it had an eight-point quarter against Orlando.

Dion Waiters had 14 points, while Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson scored 13 apiece. Dwyane Wade tossed in 11 points off the bench for Miami.

Blake Griffin led Detroit with 13 points. Former Heat guard Wayne Ellington added 11 points and Luke Kennard chipped in 10 off the bench.

The Pistons have lost two in a row following a five-game winning streak. The teams, both of which are fighting for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, split their four-game season series.

Andre Drummond, the league's top rebounder, was held to five points and nine rebounds before fouling out.

The Pistons trailed by 12 after the first quarter but cut the deficit to five by halftime. Griffin hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to make it 54-49.

Griffin and Ellington had 11 points apiece in the opening half. Winslow had the same amount to lead the Heat, while Whiteside supplied nine off the bench.

The Heat took control after returning from the locker room.

Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) dunks the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Kelly Olynyk got the outburst going with a three-point play. Waiters made a 3-pointer and Bam Adebayo scored seven points during the spurt, including a lob dunk and a three-point play. Pistons coach Dwane Casey was called for a technical, and Richardson made the free throw.

Olynyk hit two free throws to give the Heat a 21-point advantage. Waiters then made a baseline shot and Winslow knocked down a corner three.

Griffin finally ended Detroit's scoring drought by making two free throws with 5:27 left in the quarter. The Pistons didn't make their first field goal of the half until 2:52 remaining in the quarter, when Thon Maker hit a short jumper.

Richardson's 3-pointer later in the quarter gave the Heat a 30-point advantage.

--Field Level Media

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