Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat creates best SEO possibilities of season – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Hannukah, Angry Birds, Wikileak

Essentials

Teams: Detroit Pistons at Miami Heat

Date: Dec. 1, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Television: Fox Sports Detroit

Records

Pistons: 6-12

Heat: 10-8

Probable starters

Pistons:

• Rodney Stuckey
• Richard Hamilton
• Tayshaun Prince
• Jason Maxiell
• Ben Wallace

Heat:

• Carlos Arroyo
• Dwyane Wade
• LeBron James
• Chris Bosh
• Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Las Vegas projection

Spread: Pistons +11.5

Over/under: 191

Score: Heat win, 101.25-89.75

Three things to watch

1. Chance to be overlooked

The Heat have lost 4-of-6. Players are pointing fingers at Erik Spoelstra. Imagine the chaos surrounding the Pistons this year, and magnify it by the gigantic media microscope following the Heat. Add LeBron’s homecoming in Cleveland tomorrow, and there’s a chance the Heat look past this game.

On the other hand, Miami has feasted on bad teams, and the Pistons are certainly one of those. The Heat are 1-6 against the Celtics, Magic, Hornets, Jazz and Mavericks. That makes them 9-2 against everyone else.

2. Pistons’ pick-and-roll defense

The Heat have relied on a pick-and-roll-based offense, maybe too much. But it might pay off tonight.

The Pistons are 21st in the league in defending the pick-and-roll when the ball handler keeps it and 26th when he doesn’t, according to Synergy.

The only other category of defense they ranked lower in is transition.

3. Pistons’ offensive rebounding

Without Jonas Jerebko, the Pistons’ offensive rebounding has dropped off considerably. Without Udonis Haslem, the Heat’s defensive rebounding has dropped off considerably. Something has to give.

Tonight is a great opportunity for Jason Maxiell to pound the offensive glass, create a couple putbacks and prove his worth.

Pregame Reading

• Ben Wallace has no interest playing for another team, according to Tim Povtak of FanHouse.
• The Pistons playing Miami gives Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press to offer his opinion on the Heat.
• Raul Takahashi previews the game for Hot Hot Hoops.
• The Cavaliers are investigating whether the Heat tampered, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
• John Krolik analyzes how smart of a player LeBron James is.
• Ball Don’t Lie’s create a caption features John Kuester.

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