Pistons at Heat, 2.24.09

Matchup: Detroit Pistons (27-27) at Miami Heat (29-26)
Spread: Heat -4
My Pick: Pistons by 5

Three reasons the Pistons will win:
1. Pride. The Pistons have been hammered by the press lately. Tonight may be the night they show the season is not a lost cause.
2. Stuckey. The second year guard gets up to play one of his idols – Dwyane Wade.
3. Miami’s Frontcourt. Jermaine O’Neal is overrated, Michael Beasley is unpolished, and Udonis Haslem and Jamario Moon are nothing more than competent role players. Wade is badly in need of an improved supporting cast.

Three reasons the Pistons will lose:
1. Dwyane Wade. Wade is BY FAR the best player in tonight’s game. Wade might be able to match the 50 points he scored in his last game if the Pistons continue to play pitiful perimeter defense.
2. Rotation Roulette. Walter Herrmann and Amir Johnson will probably be back in the rotation tonight. The Pistons complain about playing like a bunch of strangers who have been thrown together. Considering that there is no consistency with who plays on a given night, the complaint is understandable.
3. Miami’s Record. Here is the complete list of teams with a winning record who Detroit has beaten twice this season: ____. Detroit has already beaten Miami and the Heat have a winning record. Can the Pistons buck the trend?

Update:
Final Score: Detroit 91, Miami 103
Notes:
-As expected, Rotation Roulette was in full force for the Pistons:

1. Amir Johnson played two first half minutes, picked up two fouls, and was sent to the bench for the rest of the night.
2. In a baffling move, Walter Herrmann was apparently handed Arron Afflalo’s role as backup shooting guard. Herrmann can be useful in place of Tayshaun Prince, not alongside him.
3. Kwame Brown saw significant action for the first time in a while.

-Dwyane Wade went wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
-Yakhouba Diawara, Daequan Cook, and Jamario Moon made 8-14 three pointers. That marksmanship should surprise only those who are unaware of how poorly the Pistons close out on shooters.
-The lone bright spots for Detroit were Antonio McDyess, who was deadly from mid-range, and Jason Maxiell, who has picked up his intensity on the defensive glass.