DETROIT — For weeks, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has acknowledged that little has been easy about this season.
Tuesday night, the Heat had an opportunity that’s about as easy as it gets these days in the NBA and still had trouble gaining their footing, blowing all of an early 17-point lead, then all of a 12-point third-quarter lead and even falling behind in the fourth quarter before finishing off the Detroit Pistons, 118-105, at Little Caesars Arena.
Ultimately, it took far more than should have been expected or expended by Jimmy Butler, who seized control in the fourth quarter to finish with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.