Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat: Odds, predictions and starting lineups

The Detroit Pistons will look to bounce back from a drama-filled loss to the LA Lakers.

We’ve all spent the last days watching footage of an enraged Isaiah Stewart try to murder LeBron James after LeBron delivered a cheap sucker punch during a rebound attempt.

It will be interesting to see how the Pistons respond to the whole mess, but they are going to be shorthanded without Stewart, Kelly Olynyk and Killian Hayes, so it may not really matter.

The Miami Heat are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference at 11-6 though they’re only 5-5 in their last 10 games are coming off a close loss to the Wizards.

Will the young Pistons respond positively to the drama or will they get blown out at home by a tough Miami squad?

Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat: Odds, spread and over/under

According to WynnBET, the Detroit Pistons are 9.5 point underdogs at home vs. the Heat. Detroit would have been an underdog anyway but with Beef Stew out, they are going to have trouble with Bam Adebayo. I am hoping Stewart eventually morphs into an Adebayo-level player, so am disappointed not to see them go head to head in this one.

The money lines are set at +360 for the Pistons and -450 for the Heat. Unless the Heat rest a bunch of players or simply don’t show up, this is a tough one for the Pistons, so I’d probably take the points or stay away from betting this one altogether.

The over/under is 208 which seems about right. The Heat have a good defense and the Pistons don’t even average 100 points, so it could be an ugly offensive night for Detroit.

Detroit Pistons vs. Miami Heat: Predictions and starting lineups

The Heat could be missing Duncan Robinson, who is questionable for tonight’s game, and Markieff Morris is still out with an injury he suffered after he messed around with Nikola Jokic and found out. Here is their likely starting lineup with Robinson out:

• Kyle Lowry
• Tyler Herro
• Jimmy Butler
• PJ Tucker
• Bam Adebayo

The Pistons will be without Beef Stew and Killian Hayes, and could go a number of ways with their starting lineup. Will they go small with Jerami Grant at center? Will Trey Lyles be bumped into the starting role? Could we see Luka Garza get some run? This is what I expect tonight:

• Cory Joseph
• Cade Cunningham
• Saddiq Bey
• Jerami Grant
• Trey Lyles

Garza matched up on Adebayo will be a slaughter, so if he plays at all, it should be with the second unit.

We’ll probably see plenty of Hamidou Diallo after he had a strong game, and if the Pistons decide to go small and put Grant at the five, Diallo could get the start at small forward, pushing Bey to the four.

The only matchup I really like in this one for the Pistons is Cade Cunningham, as he should be able to abuse Herro, so if you are playing daily fantasy, he’s your guy.

Detroit vs. Miami: How to watch

You can catch the Pistons vs. Heat on Bally Sports Detroit or listen at 97.1 The Ticket.  The start time for the game is 7:00 PM ET.