Detroit(9-3) vs Miami(6-6) Today Sunday Nov 12 at 4PM

[bstein14]

Last year this would be a classic trap game for us with us feeling good about our recent wins... Last year this would be a loss. This should be a really good game Miami is 6-6 trying to push above .500 I think this year its more than likely a win but its far from certain.

Both teams played Friday night and then were off yesterday. Whiteside had 20 rebounds with 3 steals and 3 blocks and Waiters had 21 points leading the way to an 10 point win over the Jazz. They held Utah to just 74 points on the night. Miami currently has the 8th best defense in the NBA while Detroit has the 10th best.

Key matchup will be Andre and Whiteside in a battle of the boards/paint. Should be a good one to watch I know Dre had a few really good games against Whiteside last season. Detroit won their first two against Miami last season but lost their last two games after Miami starting rolling the second half of the season.

My prediction:
Detroit 96 Miami 89

[zeebneeb]

Going to be a fun one. I always enjoy games more when there is a premiere matchup and Andre VS Whiteside is always fun as hell.

Btw, I cannot believe how absurd the Miami board game thread is. The OP is something from a 12 year old boy. Just a complete lack of self awareness and its just not fit for any kind of serious, or interesting basketball talk. Avoid it at all costs and if your at work don't open it.

Just pathetic.

On topic again, this could and more then likely is a loss. Young team really coming together morphing into the team I thought they could be but there has to be bumps along the way. Look for Andre to have an off game(3 straight games of 19, 21, 20 rebounds)and for Harris to come back somewhat to earth(going to have his first really bad game)

Its an early game as well. This thing STINKS of a loss and its going to happen at some point.

[engelbert321]

I would hate to lose this one to be honest

[The Moose]

Definitely feels like we are due for a loss, so I wouldn't be surprised if we lose this one.
On the plus side, this is Miami's last game of a long 6 game road trip, so maybe we can use that to our advantage

[Kilo]

Is Stanley Johnson playing? Leuer isn't back until Wednesday last I heard. But Stanley was day-to-day.

[edmunder_prc]

I watched the Utah - Miami game. Utah doesn't have an offense, at all. Half the team is unable to make anything other than layups, even floaters are right out. It wasn't that Miami has a good defense. They left most of the team wide open and Rubio would run around and around, Gobert or Udoh would bobble easy passes, Mitchell would brick a bunch of shots or make great layups running at the speed of light. Detroit is so much better on offense. If Utah had Bradley, Harris or Reggie they would be a great team. Even someone like Galloway would be HUGE on Utah. They cant score to save their life.

If Detroit plays anything like they usually do it should be a win. Its Detroit's game to lose at this point. Miami doesn't have the fire power is Stanley is playing and we bring the defensive effort.

[sfballa13]

This is prototypical trap game that the OP mentioned

9-3 Pistons team, playing great basketball, playing at home...and the betting line is Pistons (-3), should be at least -7 and higher

Trap game not just for the betters but for the Pistons as well, just like OP said

Said it before and ill say it again, any team with a losing record MUST be a win for the Pistons. Padding their record early could be the reason they guarantee a solid playoff spot and can rest Reggie a little so he is ready for the playoffs, who knows maybe even play Ellenson and Kennard some more minutes so they can be acclimated to the playoffs

[ImHeisenberg]

Said it before and ill say it again, any team with a losing record MUST be a win for the Pistons. Padding their record early could be the reason they guarantee a solid playoff spot and can rest Reggie a little so he is ready for the playoffs, who knows maybe even play Ellenson and Kennard some more minutes so they can be acclimated to the playoffs

It's not even "padding" their record. Miami isn't a non-threatening team. They're a well coached team that will play hard and beat you if you give them the opportunity.

If the Pistons want to be taken seriously, they need to beat teams like Miami consistently. Team's like the Wizards aren't spectacular, but they consistently beat teams they're supposed to beat and end up with a +.500 record at the end of the season because of this. Detroit need to take the next step and become a team similar to that.

[vic]

If the Pistons want to be taken seriously, they need to beat teams like Miami consistently. Team's like the Wizards aren't spectacular, but they consistently beat teams they're supposed to beat and end up with a +.500 record at the end of the season because of this. Detroit need to take the next step and become a team similar to that.

You are exactly right...

That's where the strong will and borderline arrogance of the star player has to come in and say "I'm better than you so I won't be losing to you today thanks"

Hopefully Reggie is all the way back and can bring that offensive arrogance that refuses to lose to weak teams.
Hopefully Tobias will make that step to be guaranteed money as well, as well as Avery & Stanley on the defensive end.

[Joel Embust]

Is Stanley Johnson playing? Leuer isn't back until Wednesday last I heard. But Stanley was day-to-day.

Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson stayed after Saturday's practice in Auburn Hills, working on his jump shots, free throws and drives to the basket.

Johnson, who missed the team's last two games with a hip flexor injury, moved gingerly at times and stopped occasionally to stretch his legs and hip area. He did not practice with the team.

Coach Stan Van Gundy said his starting small forward is questionable for Sunday's home game against Miami at Little Caesars Arena. The surprise Pistons (9-3), riding a four-game winning streak, were second behind the Boston Celtics (11-2) in the Eastern Conference entering Saturday.

"I think Wednesday (at Milwaukee) is more likely, but we'll see," Van Gundy said regarding the return of Johnson and forward/center Jon Leuer (left ankle). "They're closer."


http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2017/11/11/detroit-pistons-stanley-johnson-hip-could-return-lineup-wednesday/855453001/

[ducler]

[detroitKG]

Read on Twitter

[ByeByeDre]

Josh Richardson's hair makes Reggie Bullock's look good.

[tmorgan]

Josh Richardson's hair makes Reggie Bullock's look good.

Not really. They both look ridiculous.

[DetroitPistons]

OMG Bradley is by far our most boneheaded player. He is killing us right now.

[detroitKG]

Read on Twitter

[Moses ShamMoses]

Why do we give up so many open 3's?!

[zeebneeb]

League pass is so bad today I have to watch the game a different way. How sad is it that I try to be right about things and I'm forced to not.

Get your **** together nba.com

Just absurd.

[zeebneeb]

Why do we give up so many open 3's?!

New team rotations are not crisp.

Easy one.

[detroitKG]

League pass is so bad today I have to watch the game a different way. How sad is it that I try to be right about things and I'm forced to not.

Get your **** together nba.com

Just absurd.

Saaaame I was borderline screaming at that ****...would buffer every 10 seconds...