Erik Spoelstra, who is widely known as one of the NBA's top coaches, shouldered blame for a brutal timeout infraction, calling it a "serious mental error" in the final seconds of a Miami Heat loss to the Detroit Pistons.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra admitted that his own “horrendous mistake” cost the team in its 123-121 defeat to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

Spoelstra was assessed a technical foul, and Pistons guard Malik Beasley sank the ensuing free throw, giving Detroit a late lead the club would not relinquish. After the game, Spoelstra took accountability for the mistake that led to Detroit's victory.