As each game passes, the Miami Heat losses have only gotten worse. Despite showing strong stints early in some recent games, they have been guaranteed to find a way to collapse down the stretch.
As the fanbase is starting to accept the team’s “tanking” status, Miami still is clawing for that breakthrough win and to move past this difficult and embarrassing set of games. However, it will be yet another tough task against the rising sixth seed Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons have made legitimate strides in turning their identity and culture around during this 2024-25 campaign. They are led by rising All-Star Cade Cunningham, who is averaging a career-high 25.6 points, 9.2 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 sticks on 46% shooting.
Detroit is just 5-5 over their last 10 games, but they are coming off a nice bounce back win in their previous matchup. They also sport a better record on the road than at home, at 20-15 with their strong 38-31 record overall.
The Heat are 1-2 against the Pistons this season, including two tough losses at Detroit earlier this year. They will look to tie up the seasons series 2-2 in their final regular season matchup against the gritty Pistons. In their last eight games against them, Miami is 6-2.
However, coach Erik Spoelstra is running out of answers for his squad. They are in the midst of an eight-game skid— the worst of Spoelstra’s entire career. Additionally, the Heat have lost 15 of their last 19 games and are sporting their worst record since the 2007-08 season.
Tonight’s game against the Pistons will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Alec Burks (back) — QUESTIONABLE
- Nikola Jovic (hand) — OUT
- Dru Smith (achilles) — OUT
- Josh Christopher (g-league) — OUT
- Keshad Johnson (g-league) — OUT
- Andrew Wiggins (leg) — QUESTIONABLE
- Isaiah Stevens (g-league) — OUT
Detroit Pistons:
- Jaden Ivey (fibula) — OUT
- Daniss Jenkins (g-league) — OUT
- Bobi Klintman (g-league) — OUT
- Tolu Smith (g-league) — OUT
- Ron Harper Jr. (g-league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Detroit Pistons:
- Cade Cunningham, G
- Tim Hardaway Jr., G
- Ausar Thompson, F
- Tobias Harris, F
- Jalen Duren, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: ESPN & FanDuel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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If Miami gets it’s own lottery pick and Golden State’s 18-22 range pick, there are a lot of choices for a PG and a PF/C in this year’s draft. Hopefully, a couple of really good players will fall to Miami in the 2025 draft and a free agent can be recruited after the 2025-2026 season.
https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-mock-draft-latest-2-round-predictions-as-ncaa-tournament-begins
If you look at everyone’s site other than maybe the Thunder or Spurs…the fans are all either complaining about management & coaching or the past draft choices…all debatable. I do know one thing. Despite all the noise – everybody still gets paid ! Horrendous amounts of $$$ I might add.
Yes, everybody gets paid. some of them because of that noise.
Yes…but no matter the level of play in this case atrocious even residing in a pool of a lost season…they’re still cashing in win or lose.
Since the pistons are doing well without him I would’ve mind a trade for Ivey from them. Maybe the warriors pick? Just spitballing
I think we can get a development prospect like Cody Williams from Utah as well as Kevin Durant . That s a scenario I see as possible.