Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat 2011 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: Head coach John Kuester will lead the Detroit Pistons on the road to the American Airlines Arena to take on the struggling Miami Heat on Friday night at 7:30 PM ET. The Pistons and Heat are both coming off a loss and are 5-5 in their last 10 games but Detroit enters the game with a 17-29 record 4th in the Central while the Heat come in at 31-14 1st in the Southeast. The Heat has been hobbled by injuries lately to one or more of the big three and Chris Bosh is still out indefinitely with an ankle injury. LeBron James missed a few games with a leg injury as well and Dwayne Wade has had leg injuries as well as suffered from migraines. The Heat have missed Bosh in the point and have been outscored there 3 consecutive outings. “I never get frustrated, man,” Bosh said. “Every day it’s getting better. Getting frustrated doesn’t help. I don’t like to be frustrated.” The odds makers at Bodog have the Miami Heat a -12 point favorite at home against the Detroit Pistons.
The Heat is coming off a road loss 93-88 against the New York Knicks with a 4th quarter let down scoring only 15 points while giving up 29 in the quarter to move to 20-24-1 ATS for the season. Shooting Guard Dwayne Wade led the heat with 34 points 16 rebounds and 5 assists while LeBron James added 24 points 11 rebounds and 5 assist playing often in the post. James Jones was the only other Heat player in double digits with 15 points and 5 rebounds. The total has gone UNDER in 9 of last 12 games when playing at home against Detroit. Vegas odds makers have the Miami Heat +200 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Pistons are coming off a home loss 109-100 to the Denver Nuggets moving them to a respectable 26-20 ATS for the season. Forward-Center Greg Monroe with 14 points and 7 boards and Tracy McGrady with 14 points 6 rebounds and 8 dimes led the Pistons. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games on the road and Detriot is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Miami. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 189 1/2 points combined of the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons.
I predict a Heat victory at Home!