Defending champs in Motown
Essentials
- Teams: Miami Heat (20-6) at Detroit Pistons (9-22)
- Date: December 28, 2012
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Television: FSD
What to look for
The Miami Heat are the proud owners of a six-game winning streak that is highlighted by a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Christmas day rematch of the NBA Finals.
During their recent stretch of wins, the Heat have rediscovered their defensive identity and haven’t allowed any opponent to score more than 97 points.
The defense has played better as of late because Erik Spoelstra has reinserted Udonis Haslem into the starting lineup, which has led to sharper defensive rotations as well as more size and resistance on the interior. In addition, Joel Anthony has been getting more minutes of late, which has also provided the team with a boost given his solid post defense, shot blocking and terrific pick-and-roll defense.
With that said, everything tonight will start and end with LeBron James, especially with Dwyane Wade set to serve his suspension tonight for hitting Ramon Sessions in the groin area in a victory over Charlotte on Wednesday night.
The reigning league MVP will see the ball early and often and will dictate everything that Miami does on offense. Whether it’s running pick-and-rolls or pick-and-pops with his big men, posting up near the basket or driving down the lane and finding his open shooters, much of the offense responsibilities will fall on his shoulders.
With Wade absent, expect Chris Bosh to get a fair amount of touches both in the high post and low post as well as the pick-and-roll game with James. In addition, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole will probably be more aggressive than usual as they try to make up for Wade’s scoring and playmaking between them.
As it pertains to defeating Miami, the Pistons will have to simply make shots.
The Heat allow the second most amount of 3-pointers attempted per game in the league, and a large variety of those come from the corners because the Miami coaching staff asks the perimeter players to rotate to the paint to defend ball handlers and big men rolling to the basket in the pick-and-roll. Thus, it’s important for Detroit players to take advantage of the Heat’s scheme if they hope to loosen up the defense and get better driving lanes.
Also, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond will have to play big in this one given Miami’s decencies on the rebounding front. Manufacturing more shot attempts all the while keeping the ball away from a high-powered Miami offense is a great recipe to beat the defending champs.
Because remember, when all else fails for the Heat, they still have LeBron.
Read about the Heat
Leave a Reply
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:05 pm
by Seto
Do they care about winning or at least trying to win this game?
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:06 pm
by Mel
When you play against any team but especially the Heat, you have to play with aggression and make solid plays. We’re not doing that in the 1st quarter.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:10 pm
by frankie d
when people try to tell me that drummond is raw like dwight howard was raw, i say look at the play he just made with about 10 minutes to go in the second quarter.
howard still cannot make that kind of one on one offensive play. drummond makes it look easy, already.
he is a talented, talented kid.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:17 pm
by Reaction
Someone want to explain why our bench is outplaying our starting lineup.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:19 pm
by smellman
Leave the bench in for the rest of the game?
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:19 pm
by Anon
I know we hate him, but Charlie V is really playing well. He’s not worth his money, but to say he doesn’t help our team is patently false.
I used to feel the same way about Maxiel, but he is getting worse and worse.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:19 pm
by Mel
I don’t listen to that Drummond is raw baloney. If thats the case 85% of all rookies are raw. 2nd quarter great. Our 2nd unit is better than our starters.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:24 pm
by Ozzie-Moto
All that cant play rookies and Dru to raw is JD and LF being their old school selves…. no modern thinking like the Thunder .Just stubborn….. protecting their roster mistakes of the past etc….
Drummond 11 min. 4/4 shooting 6 rebounds and a steal
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:35 pm
by Corey
Let’s see…
Drummond is better than Monroe, at least lately.
stuckey is better than BK
CV is playing better than Max
Daye is worse than Prince
Singler is no better (at SG) than whoever they put out with the second unit.
and all the bench guys seem to be trying harder.
so, yeah- the bench is better than the starters.
just looked at the box score, and the starting front court had ONE rebound in 34 minutes of combined playing time between Monroe, Tay, and Max. Sit all their butts on the bench.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:36 pm
by Frankie d
that little baseline jumper was one of the best moves I have seen daye make. He wanted his shot, used his size and took the little bump from the defender but still focused on his shot. It is thar ability – the size and his ability to make shots and handle the ball – all on display in that sequence. You can tethat at he is finally playing with confidence again.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:41 pm
by Venice
I really hope that Daye continues to prove the haters wrong. I mean he got such a unique skill set like Durant. I hope he continues to play like this and we can resign him for a bargain this offseason. If all things when well, we will have a Durant lite in our starting lineup nxt year.
PG: BK
SG: FA or Muhammad
SF: Daye (Durant Lite)
PF: Monroe
C: Drummond
PLAYOFFS BABY!
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:42 pm
by Ozzie-Moto
I alway felt Daye was another player that was never developed properly by the Pistons not say he not at fault as well but seem to have some good skills but was waylaid by our always older players all the time mode .
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:44 pm
by Venice
I really thought that playing in Russia was the reason why he played like that last year. He’s now back to his old self and I hope he continues improving.
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:46 pm
by Ozzie-Moto
AND a PS what was that about him playing power forward (Daye) the pistons told him to bulk up as they had to many small forwards … THIS is how Detroit ruins players BAD unbalanced rosters then expecting player to play out of position
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:48 pm
by Venice
He’s CLEARLY an SF. I really hate what the coaching staff has done to his playing style.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:58 pm
by vic
true. its the old combo wing, future of the nba, small ball garbage that makes teams think they can plug square peg in round holes… So Jerebko is a PF, Daye is a PF, Knight is a point guard, Singler is a shooting guard… etc, etc
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:43 pm
by Jon
the second unit for us is given so much more freedom on offense. either that or they just don’t listen to frank. it is so much more fun to watch our second unit. even if they were missing all of the threes they take it would still be more fun to watch with everyone spread out with drummond eating up offensive rebounds. right now our second unit is clearly better than our starters
Dec 28, 2012 • 8:57 pm
by I HATE FRANK
its like the crowd is waiting to be let down…NO energy in the building
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:27 pm
by Anon
Tayshaun kills this team, he is the worst player for the chemistry of the team. The irony of it is that he was brought back to be a leader, he is showing he is not fit for that role. I’d rather see Charlie at the 3 than Tayshaun, and that’s why I would like to see our amnesty on him this summer
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:32 pm
by Jon
if he leaves it’ll be via trade. he’s still shoots at a high percentage and plays solid defense
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:36 pm
by Reaction
and saved us a few possessions especially that one where we almost didn’t get past half court
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:59 pm
by Chris H
Actually I do not believe that Tay can be an amnesty canadidate ue to when his contract was signed. Someone back me up on this.
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:01 pm
by Chris H
Thanks Corey, refresh button broken!
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:30 pm
by Frankie d
Drummond with the left handed scoop shot…and then he shows more BB IQ than knight has ever shown and runs the break better than knight ever has, the end result being an easy opportunity for Tay.
yea…drummond is too raw to play heavy minutes…
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:30 pm
by Fennis
If Drummond gets a quick pull after this level of play I may give up my fan card. He’s arguably the most dominant player on the team.
Play this man through the 4th quarter!
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:35 pm
by Reaction
Perhaps the 3 most detested Pistons this season… Bynum, Daye, and Charlie V are back in action and proving me wrong.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:36 pm
by Corey
Put a real PG out there with the bench and we’d really have something. Even Stuckey when he’s ok again.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:37 pm
by Reaction
Bynum is playing great today… he’s saved us quite a few times today.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:39 pm
by Reaction
17 pts… NINE ASSISTS
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:36 pm
by Fennis
Can someone explain to me why we can’t trade Bynum to a contender? His streaky shooting is frustrating on a bad team, but teams like the Lakers or Memphis should be in bidding wars for this guy. He’s the perfect spark off of the bench.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:47 pm
by Jon
i agree except no trades with the lakers bc they have no picks to give for like the next 2 years
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:38 pm
by Corey
Tay isn’t eligible for amnesty- only players signed under the old collective bargaining agreement. On the pistons that’s only Monroe and CV.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:47 pm
by Anon
Thanks did not know this.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:38 pm
by I HATE FRANK
games like this will boost a players trade value…
Daye, Bynum, Charlie stocks are soaring… if we gonna trade him do it after this game
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:39 pm
by Corey
Damn… Starting to think I want to keep CV. Who’d have thought.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:45 pm
by Frankie d
No…no…no…bump his value up and then tradE him. Not that joe d a will do it, but one can only hope.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:43 pm
by Frankie d
Refs doing everything they can to keep Miami in the game. Great block by daye but they call the foul.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:44 pm
by Corey
Is it just me, or does Lebron not want to drive at Drummond? Am I crazy?
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:01 pm
by vic
Its true… game recognizes game. Anybody that knows the game can see that Drummond is a force, even other stars.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:44 pm
by Reaction
Players stocks just rised exponentially.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:45 pm
by Fennis
Not crazy.
This reffing is rising to Donagie-an level of absurdity.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:47 pm
by Frankie d
I would still trade Tay, max, Cv, magnetite and maybe Bynum. Why trade daye for a second round pick?
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:48 pm
by theicon77
Usually when Bynum has a game like this he crumbles in the last few minutes. Doesn’t look like that will be an issue tonight.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:49 pm
by Fennis
Interesting that Frank is open to Will Bynum trashing the coach’s offensive principles, but Drummond can’t get respectable minutes because he misses a couple defensive rotations.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:52 pm
by I HATE FRANK
BEST WIN OF THE SEASON!
My FIRST A+ Coaching Game For Frank…
Dont care if Wade played or not… Miami has a better record without Wade anyway
GREAT DAMN WIN!!!!
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:29 pm
by Herman Neutic
“A+”
Exactly!
There will no doubt be many more team ups and downs to come, but Frank has them playing hard, learning, and believing.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:52 pm
by Corey
Bynum could be really good with a little less hero-ball. Not that he’ll change now.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:52 pm
by Fennis
Don’t tell me the Pistons don’t have talent. Can we get a coach who knows how to make these pieces fit?!
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:02 pm
by vic
agreed. that’s what i’ve been saying since the beginning of the season.
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:54 pm
by Jon
just realized we have one sg on the roster and he doesn’t even play…
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:57 pm
by Mel
2nd unit played like starters suppose to play. DEEEETROIT Basketball !!!
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:59 pm
by Serge Geara
when there’s a will.. there’s a win
Dec 28, 2012 • 9:59 pm
by Ozzie-Moto
Unbalanced team for about 5 years a JD special … always to many or one position and no one at the next. a while back we had i think 6 or 7 shooting guards …. now only the rookie that doesn’t play … you have to keep your rosters balanced or you get in a bad position when it come to trades and free agencies. If a team has not one at a position the price goes up .. for the savor at that spot…
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:04 pm
by vic
The story of this game is how Andre Drummond makes his teammates better and puts them in a better position to be confident and succeed.
Anyone who’s played a sport knows that when you have a real dominator on your team, it picks up the confidence and aggressiveness of the whole team… and makes everything easier.
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:42 pm
by Mark
START THE BENCH AND BENCH THE STARTERS!!!!
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:55 pm
by apa8ren9
Great win by the Pistons tonight. I cant believe Daye actually looks like an NBA player. All I can say is – I still dont like you but keep it up. Drummond is just awesome. Dude is an impact player all around.
He is the epitome of “presence”. His mere presence creates positives for the pistons on offense and defense. Its amazing the contrast from when Maxiell is in there and when Drummond is playing. Opponents start to miss those in close baskets they always make over Maxiell. Rebounds are gobbled up. To think that Drummond is just learning the pro game. For the first time since Isiah the Pistons have drafted a legitimate franchise player. The future will be bright in 2014!
Dec 28, 2012 • 10:56 pm
by apa8ren9
Sorry, it should read since we drafted Grant Hill.