Game Preview
The Miami Heat are riding a four-game winning streak as they head into Detroit to face the struggling Pistons on Monday night. Over their last five games, the Heat have been scorching hot, averaging a blistering 138.8 points per contest while holding opponents to just 105.8. They've been clicking on all cylinders, shooting nearly 49% from the field and just under 40% from three-point range during this stretch.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have stumbled of late, dropping four of their last five games. Their offense has sputtered, scoring just 108.4 points per game over this span while allowing a whopping 120.6 points on the other end. Detroit's shooting numbers have hovered around their season averages, but their defensive struggles and 40.6 rebounds per game have proven costly.
Looking at the bigger picture, the Heat's 13-10 record has them firmly in the playoff hunt, buoyed by their top-10 scoring offense averaging 117.3 points per game. They've been particularly strong on the glass, grabbing nearly 47 rebounds per contest to complement their balanced scoring attack. Miami's perimeter defense has also been a bright spot, allowing opponents to shoot just a shade above 38% from three-point range.
The Pistons, on the other hand, are still finding their footing at 10-16. While their 110.1 points per game keeps them competitive most nights, they've struggled to get stops, surrendering 113.4 points on average. Detroit's rebounding has been solid at just over 45 boards per game, but 15.6 turnovers are preventing them from maximizing their offensive possessions.
With the Heat rolling and the Pistons scuffling, this matchup has all the makings of Miami extending their winning streak. Detroit will need to tighten up their defense and take better care of the ball to keep pace with the red-hot Heat on their home floor.