Pistons at Heat, 4.15.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (39-42) at Miami Heat (42-39)
Spread: Heat -2
My Pick: Pistons by 4

Three reasons the Pistons will win:

1. The Heat Don’t Care. They are locked into the fifth seed. The Heat is already focused on the Hawks.
2. No D-Wade. Wade, Udonis Haslem, and Jermaine O’Neal sat out last night are not expected to play tonight. As Peninsula Is Mightier noted, this is “meaningless game number 2” for Miami.
3. Strong Depth. The Pistons won’t be playing their regulars, but Walter Sharpe is the only Piston incapable of holding his own in an NBA rotation. The Pistons will be fine playing Will Bynum, Arron Afflalo, Walter Herrmann, Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, and Kwame Brown heavy minutes.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:

1. The Pistons Don’t Care. The team is locked into the eighth seed. This game will be little more than a glorified scrimmage.
2. No Sheed. The Iverson-free Pistons play their best with Rasheed in the lineup. Sheed will be joined by RIP and Antonio McDyess on the inactive list as they rest for the playoffs. (Update: In contrast with early reports, Sheed started the game.)
3. Michael Beasley. The dynamic young forward could go off for the Heat. Neither Watler Herrmann nor Jason Maxiell is up to the task of defending him, although Amir Johnson might have a chance.

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 96, Miami 102 (OT)
Notes:

• Michael Curry did not take this game for granted. He played his top-five bench players most of the game in hopes that the experience will pay off in the playoffs.
• The Pistons outplayed the Heat in the second quarter, but were outscored when Miami hit several contested three pointers, plus a difficult 22-foot jumper by Chris Quinn. Only five of Miami’s 22 points in the quarter were scored within 20 feet of the basket.
• Michael Beasley combines a high release point with an extremely accurate jump shot. He’s flown under the radar a bit this season, but he and Wade could form an awesome one-two punch for several seasons to come.
• Chris Quinn and Michael Beasley both hit several difficult shots. Those shots proved to be the difference in the game.
• Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown had nice games. Both were very active in the paint.
• I don’t want to beat a dead horse so I’m not going to mention that Amir Johnson was a menace disrupting the entire Heat offense whenever he was on the floor.