The Miami Heat play against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons Thursday
Game time: 7 p.m., Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Betting line: Heat +5
VITALS:
The Heat and Pistons meet for the second of three regular season matchups. Earlier this season, Detroit recorded a three-point, 138-135, win on November 29 as the Pistons have now won four-straight against Miami, but the Heat had won seven consecutive against Detroit prior to that. The Heat are 72-61 all-time versus the Pistons during the regular season, including 40-26 in home games and 32-35 in road games. Pistons center Isaiah Stewart leads the NBA holding opponents to 43.4 percent shooting at the rim. Stewart has limited shooters to 59-of-136 from inside of three feet... Stewart also led the NBA in this category last season, holding shooters to 46 percent at the
rim. Jalen Duren ranks third in the NBA with 126 offensive rebounds and is one of three players in the NBA averaging 18+ points, 10 rebounds and 0.9+ blocks per game (Anthony Davis, Victor Wembanyama)
LAST MEETING: Pistons won 138-135 Nov. 29, 2025
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Norman Powell
C Kel'el Ware
F Bam Adebayo
F Andrew Wiggins
PISTONS
F Ausar Thompson
F Tobias Harris
C Jalen Duren
G Duncan Robinson
G Cade Cunningham
INJUY REPORT
HEAT
Bam Adebayo: Available (back)
Tyler Herro: Out (toe)
Davion Mitchell: Available (ankle)
Norman Powell: Available (thumb)
Terry Rozier: Out (Not With Team)
Kasparas Jakucionis: Available (ankle)
Jaime Jaquez: Available (calf)
Jahmir Young: Doubtful (G League)
Kel'el Ware: Available (Quad)
Vladislav Goldin: Out (G League)
PISTONS
Tobias Harris: Doubtful (hip)
Isaac Jones: Out (G League)
Bobi Klintman: Out (G League)
Caris LeVert: Out (Knee)
Wendell Moore Jr: Out (G League)
Tolu Smith: Out (G League)
QUOTABLE
Heat forward Norman Powell on the inconsistent play: "It's just the highs and lows. Every team I've been on goes through it. It's part of the season, but I love this team and the way we have our mentality tied together, trying to figure it out, going through the tough times together, talking, communicating, just trying to get back on the right core, and get these wins. I think we've figured it out. Just the play style, the mentality, and the approach that we have to have on a nightly basis. We can't get bored with the process and going out there, competing every single night."
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com