Miami Heat wins 103-102 in season opener vs Detroit

Miami Heat managed a slim victory over Detroit in the first home game of the season
The atmosphere in the downtown arena lacked its usual fervor early on, with the ‘Let’s go Heat’ chants starting but quickly losing momentum.
As the evening progressed, the energy in the arena gradually increased for Miami on Wednesday night. What was expected to be a routine game against a rebuilding Detroit Pistons team turned into a nail-biting finish.

READ ALSONBA star Lillard to join Antetkounmpo in Milwaukee: reports
It was only in those tense final moments, when the home team needed a lift the most, that the crowd really came alive. Miami secured a 103-102 victory, narrowly escaping defeat as a last-second Pistons shot missed its mark.
Coach Erik Spoelstra remarked, ‘To secure a win, I’ll take that any day of the week,’ while Jimmy Butler added, ‘We may not have been at our best, but a win is a win.’ This season opener may not have been the most impressive showing for Miami, but it was a hard-fought and close call.
The Detroit Pistons’ roster is so youthful that they’d likely get carded on South Beach. Their starting lineup had a mere nine combined seasons of NBA experience, compared to the Miami Heat’s lineup, which boasted a collective 54 seasons.

READ ALSONBA open to game at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu
Remarkably, one of Detroit’s starters was just 19 years old, while another was 20. The three ‘veterans’ on their side were all 22 years old, with Cade Cunningham leading the charge with an impressive 30-point performance. In contrast, the Miami starters featured the seasoned trio of Kyle Lowry, 37, Kevin Love, 35, and Jimmy Butler, 34.
The true litmus tests to evaluate Miami’s bold offseason approach to maintaining the status quo are on the horizon.
While the Pistons have embarked on a complete rebuild, the Heat’s strategy seems to be one of stability and optimism. They’re a year older, and a year more experienced, but will it translate to a stronger team?