Winderman’s view: Pistons 120, Heat 100

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 120-100 loss to the Detroit Pistons at AmericanAirlines Arena:

— It well could be that Jimmy Butler, indeed, means this much to the Heat.

— But relying so much on a single player is a particularly risky proposition this season in the NBA.

— Still, without Butler, can there be continuity?

— First, there has to be normalcy.

— Which probably means something other than Gabe Vincent opening at point guard.

— This time he fouled out in 15 minutes, 2 of 9 from the field.

— The reality is that Tyler Herro also means plenty to the Heat.

— That was obvious in the second half Thursday in Philadelphia, and again Saturday.

— It got so ugly that after falling behind by 17 in the third period, the Heat turned to . . . Chris Silva.

— And to their zone defense. — All the while with turnovers that continued to plague.

— KZ Okpala not only got his first NBA start, but his first stint included 4-of-5 shooting, including 2 for 2 on 3-pointers, the game’s first player to score in double figures.

— Included in that run was a baseline turnaround hook shot.

— He kept going from there.

— It’s as if it’s been a week of open auditions for the Heat.

— This time without Butler, Herro, Avery Bradley and Meyers Leonard.

— What do the true Heat look like?

— Who knows?

— With Herro out due to neck spasms, Erik Spoelstra tossed a curve into his rotation by starting Okpala.

— Other options could have been Kendrick Nunn or Moe Harkless.

— As it is, Vincent remained in the starting lineup.

— Which was another example of the Heat’s commitment to play Goran Dragic as a reserve.

— Joining Okpala and Vincent in the first five were Adebayo, Duncan Robinson and Kelly Olynyk.

— That five had never played together as a unit prior to Saturday’s opening tip.

— And it sort of looked that way with the Heat’s early turnovers.

— It was the Heat’s eighth starting lineup in their 11 games.

— As for Herro, it looks like a Monday return is likely.

— “It just didn’t loosen up [Friday],” Spoelstra said. “That was kind of to be expected. He’s been dealing with it for about a week. I think another day will be good for him.”

— As for those who returned after being in pandemic protocol, Spoelstra said, “Not much practice. Not a whole lot. Just kind of waiting.”

— Of having Adebayo, Dragic and the others back, Spoelstra said, “I think it’ll be a great boost in our spirit and energy for our group.”

— Or not.

— Dragic, Precious Achiuwa and Nunn entered together, as the Heat’s first three reserves.

— Later followed by Andre Iguodala.

— It was a nine-man rotation in this one most of the way.

— Until the Heat totally lost their way.

— With his final basket of the first quarter, Adebayo reached 2,500 career points, all, of course, with the Heat.

— Pistons coach Dwane Casey spoke pregame of the uncertainty over whether Saturday’s game would be played.

— “We really didn’t know whether we were going to go on the plane to come down here yesterday,” he said. “And Troy [Weaver, the Pistons’ general manager] was in touch with Miami and they weren’t sure about their protocol situation. So, uncertainty is part of the daily life.”

— Of the shadow of the pandemic over the league, Casey said, “We will make it through it. The NBA is doing a great job of taking care of us to make sure we’re safe. But the only thing that is in control right now is that crazy-ass virus.”

— He added, “We just have to trust in the medical people, trust in the league.”

— And, “In the end, we know that we have no control.”

— Casey arrived to face a Heat team still lacking Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley, as well as the rest of the Heat roster situation.

— “You don’t know who exactly you’re preparing for, but you have to prepare,” Casey said.

— Casey summed it up with, “We knew this year was going to be this way. We knew there was going to be a lot of uncertainty and we have to be flexible. We have to roll with the flow, and in the meantime make sure everybody stays safe.”

— With the appearance, Iguodala tied Danny Schayes for 58th place on the NBA’s all-time games-played list at 1,138.

— With his third 3-point attempt, Olynyk passed Tyler Johnson for 12th place on the Heat’s all-time list.