(Photo via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat are back at it for a New Year’s Day matchup against the number one team in the Eastern Conference. They will take on Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Duncan Robinson and the Detroit Pistons.
Cunningham is one of the East’s top players this season with averages of 26.5 points, 9.7 assists and 6.2 rebounds on 46.8% shooting. He has led the Pistons to an elite 25-8 record and winners of seven of their last 10 games. Miami is 0-1 against Detroit so far during this campaign, and have lost four straight to them dating back to 2024. It will be a true tough test for a Heat team that has finally broke through again recently with three-straight wins.
And the Heat will once again have to get the job done without Tyler Herro, who didn’t even make the flight to travel with the team due to his now longterm toe injury. Pelle Larsson also didn’t make the trip and will be sidelined after re-injuring a tweaked ankle.
However, Miami still has enough to get the job done, and will look for increased production from Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo. Kel’el Ware is also expected to get the start again, and will have a difficult matchup against Detroit big man Jalen Duren.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Detroit Pistons:
- Tobias Harris (hip) — DOUBTFUL
- Caris LeVert (knee) — OUT
- Isaac Jones (g-league) — OUT
- Bobi Klintman (g-league) — OUT
- Wendell Moore Jr. (g-league) — OUT
Miami Heat:
- Simone Fontecchio (ankle) — QUESTIONABLE
- Tyler Herro (toe) — OUT
- Pelle Larsson (ankle) — OUT
- Vlad Goldin (g-league) — OUT
- Jahmir Young (g-league) — OUT
- Terry Rozier (not with team) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Detroit Pistons:
- Cade Cunningham, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Ausar Thompson, F
- Ronald Holland, F
- Jalen Duren, C
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Norman Powell, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST
- TV: 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)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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Miami went 5-8 in December. Hopefully January will be a better month. Of the 17 games scheduled, several are tough ones, including a four game road trip Jan 6-11 and a five game road trip Jan 19-25. It will be interesting to see what the team’s record is a week before the Feb 5 trade deadline.
Interesting article in Miami Heat on SI on the importance of having Jovic playing well in the front court rotation in order to keep Ware in the starting unit.
https://www.si.com/nba/heat/onsi/news/kel-el-ware-s-role-is-controlled-by-his-teammate-01kdxs3d41k3
2 things me and rc have in common are we love the canes and heat.otherwise we disagree on lots players abilities
You guys disagree on whether the sun is out. I’m no psychologist, but sometimes when two people bicker, especially in the company of others, they are trying to conceal their true feelings. Jus sayin.
its ok me and my colombian wife complete opposites it works.
My wife is Greek and OCD. I’m a slob. If it wasn’t for my sense of humor, she would have kicked me out long ago. Keeping her laughing is the secret to a happy marriage.
never would have thought there was a heat game on jan1 .was gonna watch the next opponent for the canes ga miss game .but tv#1 will be the heat.
whoever unc is guarding needs to have ball alot.there shooting % auto goes up 10 pts.hes better than fonzi but still a very weak defender
This game should be a good barometer of where the team is at to start the new year. Heat will have a front court advantage with Tobias Harris out. Should be fast paced and entertaining.
GO HEAT!!!