The set-up: The Detroit Pistons welcome the Heat to their new downtown Arena, having won four straight to reach 9-3. The Pistons have won seven of their last eight overall, giving them the second-best record in the East (Boston is 11-2) plus only the 10-3 Warriors and Rockets own a better record than Detroit in the entire NBA! The Pistons are wrapping up a five-game homestand with this contest (are 6-1 on the season at home, including 4-0 on this homestand) but will play nine of their next 11 games away from home after Sunday. The Heat know all about playing away from home, as Miami will be playing the finale of a six-game road trip. However, the Heat have done well, winning three of the first five and can move a game over .500 on the season with a win (come in 6-6).

Miami: The Heat are 3-2 on the trip, losing at Denver and Golden State while defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix and Utah. SG Dion Waiters (16.4) sat out two games following the birth of his daughter but was strong in two games since his return, averaging 18.5 points while going 5-of-10 from 3-point range. PG Dragic leads the team in scoring (20.0-4.2-4.6) and Whiteside (15.3 & 13.1) remains a strong presence inside. However, the Heat will have to begin scoring more (101.8 PPG ranks 25th), if they want to reach the postseason.

Detroit: The Pistons are making an art of playing the pick-and-roll, run by PG Reggie Jackson (16.2 & 6.2 APG) and center Andre Drummond (14.2 & 15.6). This duo is opening things up for the rest of the team with shooters spreading the floor. "Anything's possible for this team when those guys are playing well," Pistons' SG Avery Bradley told reporters after a 111-104 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. "Reggie Jackson's a very good player. Andre's a very good player. When those guys are in pick and roll they open the game up for everybody." Drummond is a career 38.8 percent FT shooter but has worked hard to improve his accuracy from the stripe and was noticeably upset when he slumped on Wednesday and went 0-of-7 in a win over the Indiana Pacers. However, he bounced back by going 4-of-6 from the line in Friday's win (he's making 64.2% on the season. Harris (19.7 & 4.8) leads the team in scoring and new addition Bradley, is not just an outstanding defensive player, his 16.4 PPG ranks second-best on the team.

The pick: It's the end of a long road trip for Miami (six games, over 11 days) and as I noted earlier, the team's offensive struggles are a concern (see above). Detroit is holding opponents to 101.1 PPG (7th-best), including only 97.7 at home. Miami averages just 99.5 PPG on the road. Make the Under a 10* play