Tim Hardaway Jr.’s Clutch OT Heroics Lift Pistons Past Heat 125-124 in Thriller

Tim Hardaway Jr. knocked down three critical 3-pointers in overtime, and the Detroit Pistons overcame a furious Miami Heat rally to pull off a nail-biting 125-124 victory on Monday night, snapping Miami’s four-game winning streak.

Cade Cunningham orchestrated Detroit’s offense with precision, recording a triple-double for the sixth time this season. Cunningham stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, a career-high 18 assists, and 11 rebounds, proving yet again that he’s the heartbeat of the Pistons’ attack.

On the other side, Jimmy Butler delivered a monster performance for the Heat, finishing with 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming only the third player in NBA history to record such an all-around stat line. But despite Butler’s dominance, Miami couldn’t overcome Hardaway Jr.’s late-game heroics.

Detroit held a commanding 19-point lead in the second half, looking poised to cruise to a comfortable win. But as expected, Miami didn’t go quietly. The Heat erupted for an 18-2 run to close regulation, forcing overtime and stunning the Pistons in the process. Tyler Herro, who struggled mightily from beyond the arc, helped spark the Heat’s comeback during that stretch.

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The extra period belonged to Hardaway Jr. and his ice-cold shooting. Miami opened overtime by scoring eight straight points, seemingly in control. However, Hardaway Jr. flipped the momentum, drilling back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 122-120 with 1:35 remaining.

After Tyler Herro’s off-balance jumper fell short, Hardaway Jr. struck again. His third triple of OT gave Detroit a 123-122 lead, igniting the Pistons’ bench and leaving Miami scrambling for answers.

The closing seconds were pure chaos. Butler traded buckets with Cunningham to keep Miami within striking distance. Then, with 19 seconds left, Herro missed a go-ahead jumper, but a late Pistons turnover gave the Heat one last shot. Herro let it fly at the buzzer, but the 3-pointer clanked off the rim, sealing the victory for Detroit.

Malik Beasley provided consistent scoring for the Pistons, leading the team with 28 points on an efficient 7-of-13 shooting from 3-point range. His floor-spacing proved critical, especially with Detroit shorthanded. Jaden Ivey (knee) and Tobias Harris (thumb) were sidelined, and Isaiah Stewart exited early with a hyperextended left knee. The absences gave additional minutes to Paul Reed, who contributed energy and defense.

Pistons impressive three points

The Pistons were scorching from deep, shooting an impressive 50% (20-of-40) from 3-point range. That perimeter efficiency, combined with Cunningham’s playmaking and Hardaway Jr.’s heroics, gave Detroit just enough firepower to survive Miami’s comeback bid.

For the Heat, Herro’s struggles from deep loomed large. Although he extended his streak to 58 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer — the second-longest in franchise history behind Duncan Robinson’s 69-game record — Herro shot just 4-of-17 from long range, including critical misses late in overtime.

A key stat of the night was Butler’s historic outing. His 35-19-10 stat line, accompanied by four steals, put him in elite company alongside DeMarcus Cousins (2018) and George McGinnis (1976) as the only players in NBA history to post such numbers. It was an awe-inspiring individual effort, though it wasn’t enough to carry Miami to its fifth straight victory.

The game’s pivotal moment came early in the second half when the Pistons blitzed the Heat with an 11-2 run, stretching their lead and putting Miami on its heels. While the Heat would recover late, that early surge ultimately provided Detroit with enough of a cushion to weather Miami’s late push.

Up next, Miami will look to bounce back when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. Meanwhile, the Pistons aim to build on this dramatic win when they welcome the Utah Jazz to town on Thursday.

For Detroit, this game was about resilience and timely shot-making. Hardaway Jr. delivered when it mattered most, Cunningham continued his stellar season, and Beasley kept the offense flowing. For Miami, Butler’s historic effort and their ability to erase a massive deficit are silver linings, but late-game execution remains a concern moving forward.