Game Preview: Detroit vs. Miami

When

Date: March 22, 2009

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Records

Detroit: 34-34

Miami: 26-32

Probable starters

Detroit:

Rodney

StuckeyArron

AfflaloTayshaun

PrinceJason

MaxiellAntonio

McDyess

Miami:

Mario

ChalmersDwyane

WadeJamario

MoonUdonis

HaslemJermaine

O’Neal

Las Vegas projection

Spread: N/A

Over/under: N/A

Score: N/A

Statistical projection

Detroit offensive rating: 107.1 (19th)

Detroit defensive rating: 107.5 (13th)

Detroit pace: 876.8 (29th)

Miami offensive rating: 107.5 (17th)

Miami defensive rating: 107.7 (14th)

Miami pace: 90.3 (21st)

Score: Tie 95-95

Outlook

It was bound to happen — the statistics project a tie. But, obviously, that won’t happen.

Rodney Stuckey will be back, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press. Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson? Not so much, although there’s a small chance Hamilton plays.

The Pistons are two games behind the Heat for the fifth seed in the East. In addition to tomorrow’s game, the teams play in their final game of the regular season.

Also check out ESPN’s Sunday Dime, which looks at the Pistons and Heat from a variety of angles.