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GAME STORY
The last time the Miami Heat (45-24) have dropped two of their last three games and are looking to get back on track when they face the Detroit Pistons (18-50).
The Pistons are tied with the fewest road wins in the NBA (7) and come in on a three-game losing streak. And while you would think the Heat easily have this one, they have had to work hard against Detroit this season, dropping one to them on the road.
Miami appears to be back to near health, with Victor Oladipo, Jimmy Butler, and Markieff Morris off of the injury report. Only Caleb Martin remains sidelined with an injury. Miami has had two days off and will get another two days off after this game before hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. It seems to be a good recovery week for the top team in the East.
Detroit does present some problems. Jerami Grant is the type of versatile big that gives the Heat some issues when he puts the ball on the floor. And Saddiq Bey can punish Miami from the perimeter. Miami’s best approach here is to do what they do and to limit their weaker defenders from too many isolation situations.
I think Miami will have to work for this one, but I don’t think it will be close when it comes to the end.
Eastern Conference Finals Schedule
| GAME | DATE | MATCHUP | TIME | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GAME | DATE | MATCHUP | TIME | TV |
| Game 1 | Tuesday, May 17 | Boston @ Miami | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Game 2 | Thursday, May 19 | Boston @ Miami | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Game 3 | Saturday, May 21 | Miami @ Boston | 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC |
| Game 4 | Monday, May 23 | Miami @ Boston | 8:30 p.m. ET | ABC |
| Game 5* | Wednesday, May 25 | Boston @ Miami | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Game 6* | Friday, May 27 | Miami @ Boston | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| Game 7* | Sunday, May 29 | Boston @ Miami | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
INACTIVE/INJURIES
MIAMI:
- Javonte Smart: out (two-way)
- Kyle Guy: out (two-way)
- Caleb Martin: out (knee)
DETROIT:
- Killian Hayes: probably (thigh)
- Rodney McGruder: probable (hamstring)
- Frank Jackson: out (back)
- Hamidou Diallo: out (finger)
ODDS
Betway has the Heat at -110 favorites with a -12.5 spread over the visiting Pistons.
LINEUPS
Projected Starters
| Clippers | Position | Heat |
|---|---|---|
| Clippers | Position | Heat |
| Reggie Jackson | PG | Kyle Lowry |
| Paul George | SG | Tyler Herro |
| Kawhi Leonard | SF | Jimmy Butler |
| Marcus Morris Sr. | PF | Caleb Martin |
| Ivica Zubac | C | Bam Adebayo |
BROADCAST INFO
TV: Bally Sports Sun, NBA League Pass
RADIO: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson, Ruth Riley Hunter)
SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)
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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