Opponent Scouting: Miami Heat (45-24)
Tonight at 7:30pm EST the Detroit Pistons are taking their talents to south beach to face the Miami Heat. The Pistons are on one day after losing to the Boston Celtics, while the Heat are on two days after losing to the Timberwolves.
The Them:
The Heat come into tonight with the league’s 11th best offense and the 5th best defense.
They are led by Bam Adebayo, who is averaging 19/10/3.5 and is in contention for defensive player of the year. He is a sort of offensive hub, a good passer who can hit some jumpers and finish at the rim. Kyle Lowry is old but he is still a pest on defense, a classic point-guard who knows how to run the offense and keep people involved, and can still nail pull-up threes. Jimmy Butler has forgotten how to shoot threes but is still a bully who can get his shots inside the arc and a tough defender.
Tyler Herro comes off the bench but has the greenest of lights to shoot. Duncan Robinson is a sniper, PJ Tucker is strong. Gabe Vincent can shoot a bit. Dewayne Dedmon does standard big-guy stuff, Markieff Morris is tough with some offensive ability.
This team is the embodiment of the cliche “heat culture” crap they peddle. Pure steel and discipline.
Matchups to watch:
Cade Cunningham vs. A knowing defense: You started to see it against the Celtics, but a good defense that adjusts with the idea of making Cade’s life difficult can wear him down. He will figure out how to counter it, but it may not happen right away.
Pistons bench vs. Herro: The Pistons bench has been teetering lately, Herro as a 6th man will be a tough test.
Pistons vs. Defensive energy: The Heat’s relentless drive and kick offense is hugely challenging to defend because it requires constant effort, the Pistons will need every ounce if they are to survive without Stew in the middle.
Saddiq Bey vs. Quashing the slump: Three straight games where Saddiq has looked to have transformed away from the guy of the last few months. It would be a shame for him to fall all the way into a rut to close the season.
Bagley vs. Adebayo: Adebayo is probably the Heat’s best player and without Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons do not have a good defensive option for him. On the flip side, Bagley will present challenges to Adebayo’s defense in ways Stewart would not. Need to hope Bagley comes to play tonight.
So in conclusion…
Run for the hills if:
The Heat are getting every shot they want.
Cade finally looks contained from the get-go
Tyler Herro has 20 points at half-time
Wink knowingly at your friends if:
Cade continues to force his way towards his numbers
Saddiq busts out of the slump
Bagley gives as good as he gets
Opportunities for me to look stupid:
Saddiq stays in his slump
Cade still goes for 20/10
The Pistons bench somehow manages to stay above water
Pistons 106 - Heat 100