Fantasy basketball. Game summaries and key stats for games on 12/22/2015.
Pistons 93, Heat 92
Though the Pistons had several days to rest after an exhausting four-overtime match with the Bulls on Dec. 19, the Pistons looked sluggish coming out of the gate in this one. Noticeably disjoint on offense, the Pistons turned the ball over 9 times in the first quarter, which the Heat capitalizing en route to a 34–16 first quarter lead.
Then, the Pistons three-pointers started dropping. As the saying goes, three points is better than two—the Pistons made 7 straight three-pointers to end the 1st and start the 4th, turning a 19–34 deficit to a 40–44 ballgame. In that span, Anthony Tolliver, Steve Blake, and rookie Stanley Johnson all hit two threes, with Caldwell-Pope the last three to end the run.
The game stayed competitive down the stretch. Ultimately, the Pistons pulled this one out, with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh successively missing go ahead shots to win the game in the closing seconds. One play before, Kendavious Caldwell-Pope successfully hit what became the game-winning 17 footer with 55 seconds left, though the Pistons did get away with a Reggie Jackson travel on the play.
Beno Udrih got some burn with Goran Dragic (thumb) sitting, and there where several moments in the game where you could have mistaken him for Dragic. Udrih finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists, and no turnovers and is worth a short-term flier. Dwyane Wade finished with 19 points 5 rebounds, 1 assist a steal, and no turnovers on 8-21 shooting; Chris Bosh had 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 threes on 9-21 shooting. Hassan Whiteside looked great in his matchup with Andre Drummond, finishing with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He continues to prove last season was no fluke.
