Caldwell-Pope’s Jumper Lifts Pistons Past Heat, 93-92

The Pistons were 15 for 29 from 3-point range, outscoring Miami 45-12 in that department.

After a dunk by Bosh, a 3-pointer by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (14 points) made it four-point game.

The Heat had opportunities to hit the front late on but Dwyane Wade missed and Chris Bosh was unsuccessful on the buzzer.

DeMar DeRozan inspired the Toronto Raptors to a 103-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The lead changed hands three times from there, but the Heat didn’t score in the game’s final 1:18.

Elsewhere, the lowly Philadelphia 76ers fell to an 11th consecutive defeat, beaten 104-90 by the Memphis Grizzlies. Hassan Whiteside (16 points, 16 rebounds, four blocked shots) scored the first six points while Drummond slumbered.

The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, prevailed 111-107 against the Denver Nuggets. With no James to pick up the slack, the wards of head coach Erik Spoelstra simply failed to answer the challenge.

Down 40-22 early in the second quarter, the bench shot 6-for-9 from three in the quarter to help the Pistons come back and take a halftime lead.

Johnson made four 3s in the half, Blake and Anthony Tolliver made two more apiece before the break and the Pistons took a 54-52 edge into the locker room. Jennings was available for the first time this season after rupturing his left Achilles 11 months ago, but did not play. Johnson would out-do his counterpart Justise Winslow, with 14 first-half points, shooting 4-7 from three. KCP would make a nice off-the-dribble jumper to give the Pistons the 93-92 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. They’ll have a fantastic chance to prove their relevance on Tuesday night as they go on the road to AmericanAirlines Arena for a matchup with another quality Eastern Conference team in the Miami Heat.

Dragic has a variety of ailments, including a sore left calf and achy right thumb – he’s played through both – and now a troublesome left wrist that kept him out of the game. He’ll be evaluated again before Miami’s Christmas Day game against New Orleans.

“Heading into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Pistons, the 7’0” Heat center was on pace to block the most shots in a single season since Dikembe Mutombo in 1995-96.