NBA Game Of The Week Preview: Heat Vs Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are back to full strength while Miami Heat will be looking to make it three wins from as many games against the Pistons which makes this our Game Of The Week!

The Miami Heat (21-21) are set to face the Detroit Pistons (18-24) on Friday, January 18th. The Heat are 10-9 on the road, while the Pistons are equally inconsistent – 11-10 at home.

Detroit’s second unit is bouyed by the return of point guard Ish Smith and center Zaza Pachulia. Smith has played the last two games after missing more than a month with an adductor tear. Pachulia was back in action during the Pistons’ 120-115 overtime victory against Orlando on Wednesday after missing the previous eight games due to a leg contusion.

The reserves supplied 42 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists while making just two turnovers against the Magic. The Pistons (19-24) won for just the sixth time in 23 games.

“We feel whole,” coach Dwane Casey said to Detroit Free Press. “The speed of the game, the physicality is back with the second unit. The passing, the screening is back with the second unit with Zaza back. We have players that have gifts where other players have weaknesses. They kind of complement each other. You take one of those out, it really disrupts us.”

Pachulia had an encouraging performance with six points, three rebounds and three assists in a 15-minute stint.

The Heat will have to work hard to keep Blake Griffin in check if they are to win the game. Griffin scored 30 points against the Magic, including the last five of the game.

Dion Waiters wasn’t happy with his game time in Miami’s loss to Milwaukee (124-86) on Tuesday.

“I want to play. I’ve been patient long enough,” he said to the Miami Herald. “What do I got to be patient for? Come on, man. I’ve been patient. I think everybody knows that. It’s time. What are we waiting for? If I’m out there, play me.”

We’re predicting this to be a hard fought game but the lack of depth will hurt the Pistons which will see the Heat come away with victory in a tight affair.