Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat 3/15/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
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Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat Matchup Preview (3/15/22)
Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons (18-50) travel to face the 1st seed Miami Heat (45-24) Tuesday night. The Pistons are 5-6 in their last 11 games with the 17th Offensive Rating and 18th Defensive Rating. However, they are currently on a 3-game losing streak. The Pistons lost a heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Clippers. They were up 14 points at halftime, but the Clippers stormed back to win 106-102. Rookie Cade Cunningham almost secured a triple-double. He had 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists on 10/20 from the field. Jerami Grant played well with 21 points and 5 rebounds on 7/15 from the field and 4/8 from three. The Pistons couldn’t stop Marcus Morris, who scored 31 points on 10/19 shooting. Reggie Jackson’s shot was off, but he managed to contribute 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. Isaiah Stewart is set to return against the Heat after missing the past three games. Killian Hayes and Rodney McGruder are game time decisions.
The Heat are 8-3 over their last 11 games with the 19th Offensive Rating and 1st Defensive Rating. They are coming off a 113-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bam Adebayo produced 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists on 7/12 from the field. The bench backcourt torched the Timberwolves. Tyler Herro scored 30 points on 6/10 from three, and Max Strus scored 19 on 5/11 from three. The Timberwolves were extremely balanced with 8 players going for at least 11 points. Karl-Anthony Towns (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Naz Reid (11 points, 10 rebounds) both had double-doubles. The Heat were without Jimmy Butler, but he is ready to go against the Pistons. Victor Oladipo will also play after resting against the Timberwolves. Caleb Martin is expected to be out, but the bench is still deep without him.
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat Betting Odds
The Heat are 2-1 against the Pistons this year with the most recent game being a 115-112 Heat win on December 23rd. Herro had 29 points off the bench, and Lowry contributed 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Heat are essentially at full strength here, which should terrify the Pistons. They have some nice pieces in the starting lineup, but the Pistons bench is underwhelming. This weakness will be on full display against the best bench in the NBA. I would usually like the Heat to win here by 8-10 points, but Cade Cunningham’s status is scaring me. Without him, the game will be a blow out. The game won’t be a high scoring (230+) one because of this lethal Heat defense. The Pistons are not terrible defensively either, so a total around 220-225 points is reasonable.
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TV Schedule
Date: 3/15/22
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: FTX Arena – Miami, FL
Channel: NBA League Pass
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Detroit Pistons Starting Lineup
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Cory Joseph
SF: Saddiq Bey
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Isaiah Stewart
Detroit Pistons Analysis
The Pistons are seeing their future potential with the way Cunningham is playing right now. In his last 11 games, he is averaging 22.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 6.0 APG on 43.6 FG%. Jerami Grant has become the 2nd option now – he averaged 19.4 PPG on 5.5 less FGA per game over the same stretch. Cade and Jerami can attack the basket, while Saddiq Bey and Cory Joseph space the floor. Bey is averaging 15.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 3.3 APG in his last 11 games on a 43/36/80 shooting split. Grant will be marked by PJ Tucker, who has the strength to stonewall Grant. Therefore, the Pistons need other players to step up.
The Pistons are too reliant on Cunningham’s ball handling. Grant is a transition threat, and Bey is better as a catch and shoot player. Joseph has experience in the pick and roll, but that was in a limited capacity against bench units. Cade is stepping up to the workload; however, it likely ruins them against this tough Heat defense. The Heat have multiple perimeter defenders who can bother Cade. Jimmy Butler doesn’t usually guard opposing point guards, but Cade is not a usual point guard at 6’6”. If the Heat did put Butler on Cunningham, the Pistons would be in trouble and could not get the necessary shot creation. They have had a fun stretch since the All-Star break, but I think the Heat pummel them back into reality.
Miami Heat Starting Lineup
PG: Kyle Lowry
SG: Duncan Robinson
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: PJ Tucker
C: Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat Analysis
Bam Adebayo will be the main threat for the Heat starting lineup in this game. Isaiah Stewart’s offense needs work, and Adebayo’s elite defense will shut him down. The Pistons will struggle to score in the paint because of Adebayo’s anticipation and defensive instincts. Offensively, the Heat have used him as a point-center capable of finding the open man. Stewart struggles to defend the pick and roll, so look for Bam to exploit this. Butler is always good for 20+ points, and Robinson can get hot from three. Lowry doesn’t score as much as he used to, but he makes his presence felt through playmaking and defense. There are so many weapons that it’s impossible to feel good about the Pistons defense here.
The bench advantage is the most striking thing in this matchup. Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and Max Strus could all legitimately start for a playoff team. Herro is averaging 25.0 PPG on a blistering 50/46/80 shooting split in his last 10 games. Oladipo is coming back from injury, but he was a two-way force when healthy. Yurtseven and Dedmon provide rebounding at the center position. The Pistons have Saben Lee, Isaiah Livers, Kelly Olynyk, and Marvin Bagley on the bench. Bagley has shown promise, but that squad is far less talented than the Heat bench. Overall, it’s hard to not like the Heat here. They have such a large talent advantage in every aspect.
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat Daily Fantasy Picks
I like Adebayo, Herro, and Cunningham to produce solid numbers. Adebayo has a favorable matchup against Stewart, and I expect him to score 18+ here. A double-double is likely since Adebayo will be there to clean up the Pistons missed field goals. Herro is a microwave scorer off the bench who will drop 25+ against the weak Pistons bench. He’s been hitting his shots, and volume will not be a problem. For the Pistons, it’s hard to confidently pick anybody but Cunningham. He has filled the box score recently and projects to continue his massive volume. Even against this Heat defense, I expect him to have a good game.
