The Miami Heat are fresh off a successful seven-game homestand in which they went 6-1. They’ll be away from South Beach, though, for their next two games, beginning with a road trip in Auburn Hills, where the Detroit Pistons will look to break their two-game skid. Read on for a breakdown of this matchup. You can also check out our breakdown of Cavs vs. Raptors here.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons Betting Preview
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills
When: Wednesday, November 25, 2015, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Miami Heat (9-4)
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Heat is on. With Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh leading the attack, Miami extended its win streak to three games after dismantling the New York Knicks on Monday, 95-78.
Bosh and Wade had 16 points apiece against the Knicks, not the astounding numbers they used to make, but were enough to complement Miami’s strangling defense that limited New York to shoot for only 32.2 percent from the floor. Defense has seemingly been the calling card to success for Miami this year, as the team has a second-ranked defense that allows only 91.8 points per contest on only 40.4 FG%—best in the NBA.
Bosh and shot-block artist Hassan Whiteside could be the busiest players on the defensive end of the floor, as they’ll try to contain Detroit’s offense that scores 44.9 points in the paint per game. It’s going to be interesting how Bosh and Whiteside would fare against Andre Drummond and company, but they’ll sure make it hard for the Pistons, as evidenced by the Heat’s average of just 39.5 points allowed in the paint per game—fifth fewest in the league.
As for the offense, the Heat will surely look for Wade and Bosh to produce once again. Wade paces the team with 18.4 PPG, while Bosh has an average of 17.9 PPG. Whiteside, who registered a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards against New York, is right behind the two vets with 14.5PPG Goran Dragic, however, needs to begin playing like someone who fully deserved a five-year, $90-million contract. Dragic is averaging just 10.5 PPG thus far this season, much lower than the 16.6 PPG he put up in 26 games with Miami last season.
Miami is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games in Auburn Hills.
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Betting on the Detroit Pistons (7-7)
Detroit is just second to Golden State in starters scoring this season, but on Monday, that unit which previously averaged 77.4 points per game managed to put up just 43 points in a 109-88 loss to Milwaukee.
Reggie Jackson turned into a ghost against the Bucks, as the normally high-scoring guard put up a measly seven-point performance on 3-for-11 shooting. Jackson is the team’s top scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game, so he’ll have to get it together later tonight if the Pistons are to bounce back against Miami. Ersan Ilyasova, meanwhile, had zero points against Milwaukee on 0-for-7 attempts. Ilyasova is among the most inconsistent players in the league, capable of scoring 20 points one night before taking a nosedive like he did in the Bucks game. Nevertheless, Ilyasova’s range should help space the floor for Andre Drummond against Miami. Ilyasova is putting up 10.2 PPG and is shooting 41.2% from deep.
Drummond, who had 15 points and 15 boards against Milwaukee, will play a pivotal role in keeping Miami’s big men on their heels on both ends of the court. Drummond is the league’s top rebounder, collaring 17.6 RPG to go along with an 18.1 PPG average. Overall, Detroit is fourth in the league in rebounding with 47.0 per contest.
While the importance of their starting unit’s production can’t be stressed enough, the Pistons’ reserves will also have to step up. So far this season, Detroit has the worst scoring bench, one that chips in just 21.4.
Detroit is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami wins, 101-97.
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