Detroit Bad Boys - Pistons vs. Heat: Detroit upsets the world champs, 107-97, snapping Miami's win streakA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2013-12-03T22:19:55-05:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/49389932013-12-03T22:19:55-05:002013-12-03T22:19:55-05:00Pistons cool off Heat, 107-97
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TfnxuNsE5igWlNP32ulLAEA52YM=/0x92:2478x1744/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24455769/20131203_ads_su8_051.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In an early-season shocker, the Detroit Pistons handled the defending champion Miami Heat on their home floor. </p> <h4>What Happened:</h4>
<p>Detroit controlled the game from start to finish. Yes, you read that correctly. The <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> played about as well as they could have hoped to play, and beat the two-time defending NBA champions on their home floor -- and there was never really a doubt.</p>
<p>Miami made a nice run during the middle of the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to three points (91-88), and a patented fourth quarter collapse seemed all but imminent. But, key defensive plays that turned into easy transition buckets - especially from <span>Brandon Jennings</span> who beautifully stripped the ball from <span>LeBron James</span> as he was about to rise for one of his patented fast-break dunks - kept the Pistons in control.</p>
<p>A few made free throws later, it was over.</p>
<p>Arguably, it was the strongest overall performance from the Pistons this season. If you skipped this one expecting the Heat to run away with one, you missed out.</p>
<h4>What Stood Out:</h4>
<p>The Pistons perimeter shooting: they connected on seven of their sixteen three-point attempts (43.8%).</p>
<p>The Pistons defense: it wasn't perfect, and Wade's absence certainly helped, but the Pistons held the <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Heat</a> to just under forty-four percent shooting from the field.</p>
<p>The Pistons' ability to clean the glass: they smacked the Heat on the glass, outrebounding them forty-six to thirty-four.</p>
<p>A balanced offensive attack: seven Pistons scored in double digits, and only three took ten or more shots to get there.</p>
<h4>Who Stood Out:</h4>
<p><span>Kyle Singler</span> was huge. He hit four of his seven three-point attempts and finished with eighteen points on only ten shots.</p>
<p><span>Andre Drummond</span> was unstoppable ... when he was on the floor. Foul trouble limited his minutes, and he eventually fouled out. But when he was out there, he was nothing short of brilliant. Ten points, eighteen boards, two steals, and one block in just under twenty-three (!!) minutes. Are you kidding me?</p>
<p>Brandon Jennings' stat line won't blow anyone away, but he was clutch in the fourth quarter.</p>
<h4>Game Bullets:</h4>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>The Heat managed to get up twenty-eight three-point attempts but converted only nine. A lot of them were pretty good looks, and while it was a great win, the Pistons dodged a few bullets here. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Michael Beasley</span> might be the difference for the Heat this season. It's not even April Fool's Day.</span></li>
<li><span>Jonas Jerebko played ten solid minutes of basketball, scoring seven and snagging three boards. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> only played twenty minutes, but they were productive -- and more importantly, under control and within his skills.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Rodney Stuckey</span> struggled taking care of the ball, but he continues to bull his way to the free-throw line, hitting all eight of his attempts for half of his sixteen points. </span></li>
<li> <span>Josh Smith</span> took twenty-one shots and turned it over three times en route to fifteen points. The Pistons managed to dominate the Heat in spite of another Smoove performance. He did <i>crush</i> Chris Bosh on a transition dunk, though. Coupled with the win, all is forgiven. </li>
</ul>
<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bqfj66v27ME" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<h4>Roll Call, where we are all smackdab witnesses:</h4>
<p> </p>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/12/3/5173050/pistons-vs-heat-final-score-detroit-107-miami-97Ben Gulker2013-12-03T19:15:33-05:002013-12-03T19:15:33-05:00Pistons vs. Heat: Detroit takes on Wadeless Miami
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YXfsV0EcQD6hDQa_K0zmCaRePDY=/0x1108:2676x2892/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24446891/201301010_pjc_ai5_130.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Enjoy the official game thread for Detroit's battle in Miami.</p> <p> </p>
<table border="1" align="center" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">2013/2014 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3482853/detroit-pistons-logo-225.jpg"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">vs.</th> <td width="240"><center> <a target="_blank" href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/100517/miami_heat.gif" width="200px"><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/100517/miami_heat_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Miami_heat_medium"></a> <br id="1386115278859"> </center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>7-10 (2-5 home)<br>Won 1</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center>14-3 (9-1 home)<br>Won 10</center></td> </tr> <tr><td bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><strong>December 3, 2013, 7:30 p.m. ET</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>American Airlines Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Fox Sports Detroit / 97.1 The Ticket</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=4292&awinaffid=173843&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketsnow.com%2FTicketsNow%2Fdetroit-pistons-tickets%2F" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener"><strong>Pistons Tickets</strong></a></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"> <strong>Odds: </strong><a href="http://www.hothothoops.com/"><strong>Heat</strong></a><strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/odds" class="sbn-auto-link"> -10.5</a></strong> </td></tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Probable Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Brandon Jennings</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240">Mario Chalmer</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240">Not Dwyane Wade</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Josh Smith</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Shane Battier</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Greg Monroe</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>LeBron James</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Andre Drummond</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Chris Bosh</span></td> </tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="240">94.2 (13)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td align="center" width="240">95.4 (5)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="240">104.8 (13)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td align="center" width="240">111.5 (2)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" width="240">105.9 (20)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td align="center" width="240">101.8 (6)</td> </tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" height="20" colspan="3">Injuries</th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Chauncey Billups</span></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"> <span>Dwyane Wade</span> (out)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">Will Bynym (day-to-day)</td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/12/3/5172400/pistons-vs-heat-tv-schedule-game-time-odds-and-moreSean Corp2013-12-03T18:16:31-05:002013-12-03T18:16:31-05:00Wade out tonight against Pistons
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/p8RpY6ZYzgEgjnlA6Fo2al6nPtg=/0x200:2666x1977/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24443887/20131119_kkt_su8_427.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Wade to miss game with "soreness."</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.hothothoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Heat</a> are heavy favorites tonight against the Detroit Pistons, but the Heat will be without <span>Dwyane Wade</span> tonight, according to the team's official Twitter account.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Dwyane Wade (soreness) will not play in tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23HEATgame&src=hash">#HEATgame</a>.</p>
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/statuses/408005319730954240">December 3, 2013</a>
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<p>My guess is that this move is purely precautionary and if this game were important, or, you know, against a better team, Wade would give things a go. This is just speculation, but perhaps the Heat brass decided that the team would probably not be able to go small often against the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a>' big lineup and figured it would be a good opportunity to rest their star guard's balky knees.</p>
<p>Does this make the Pistons more likely to win? I suppose slightly, but I wouldn't necessarily say that the move puts the game in Detroit's favor. Now, if <span>LeBron James</span> were to come down with a case of food poisoning, maybe I would reconsider.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/12/3/5172268/dwyane-wade-to-miss-game-against-pistonsSean Corp2013-12-03T12:44:33-05:002013-12-03T12:44:33-05:00Pistons at Heat: What can Andre do for an encore?
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<p>Can Detroit beat the two-time defending champs? Not likely, but at least we get to watch Andre Drummond grow into a star. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> are a disappointing 7-10 and ... are about to be 7-11. I mean, honestly, what else should one expect when facing off against the two-time defending champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>. They are 14-3 ... though their three losses have come against some decidedly shitty teams -- the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>. Maybe the Pistons are going to be right in this thing!</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">The Situation</h4>
<p>But back in reality, the Heat, while not dominating anyone so far this regular season, have won 10 in a row and should be able to dispatch the Pistons on their home court. Oh, and they're beating teams during that winning streak by an average of 12.5 points.</p>
<p>They are doing this behind the usual suspects -- the otherworldly <span>LeBron James</span>, a healthy <span>Dwyane Wade</span>, and under-appreciated <span>Chris Bosh</span>. They are also getting a nice contribution from <span>Michael Beasley</span>, who is chipping in 10.5 points per game during the team's 10-game win streak.</p>
<p>As a team, the Heat should be able to do whatever they want against the hapless Pistons perimeter defense. The Heat are shooting 54.9 percent on 2-pointers (first in the NBA) and an eye-popping 41.8 percent on 3s. Defensively, Detroit ranks near the bottom in both categories. During its current 10-game win streak, Miami has six players shooting over 40 percent from long range, including starters James and Bosh.</p>
<p>If they are vulnerable, the Heat's defense has yet to step up so far this season. I'm thinking that they're waiting until the playoffs or signature regular-season games to crank it up a notch. The Heat heir biggest Achilles' heel, however, is rebounding. Miami snares only 43.6 boards per game, bottom of the league. This is because of both a lack of size and because their spacing and elite offense creates few offensive rebounding opportunities.</p>
<p>Detroit, meanwhile, has been one of the better rebounding squads in the league. The Pistons' plus-6.1 rebound differential since Nov. 20 is first in the East, thanks to its oversized trio of <span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Greg Monroe</span> and <span>Josh Smith</span>.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Keys to the Game</h4>
<p><b>Drumroe </b>-- Monroe and Drummond are going to need to feast on the boards and give the Pistons second chances, because they aren't likely to convert at a high percentage. Also, both need to deliver on the offensive end, and there will be opportunities as the Heat aren't shy about playing small. Monroe had some of his best games against the Heat last season, averaging 20 points and 11.3 rebounds while shooting 59.5 percent. Also important -- he led the Pistons in shot attempts. It would be nice if that were also the case tonight. As for Drummond, it will be interesting what he does for an encore after his Hakeem-esque performance against the Sixers.</p>
<p>Perhaps Drummond should have expected to feast on the undersized, undermanned Philly squad. But the Heat are another story. If Miami has to resort to Hack-a-Dre, well, at least something about the game will be enjoyable (Drummond domination) and opposing fans will have to sit through the abomination that is endless intentional fouls (we don't need to go through how lame the typical lower-bowl sitting, regular season Heat crowds are).</p>
<p><b>Josh Smith</b> -- Where to begin? Well, Smith has been atrocious defending the perimeter and both James and <span>James Jones</span> could light him up from deep ... constantly. He's also not shy about leaving his defensive assignment as he easily gets sucked into the lane. The Heat are an exceptional passing team and should be able to exploit any and all defensive lapses by Smith and his teammates. The one saving grace is that Smith goes to where the action is and the action will constantly go through his primary defensive assignment -- James. Hopefully he can step up big and frustrate the high-scoring James much as he did against <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> earlier in the season.</p>
<p><b>Chris Bosh</b> -- sometimes I have hunches about who will have a big game against Detroit, and I have one of those feelings tonight about Bosh. He's played well of late as his jumper has been on point. The Pistons' chaotic defense is prone to leave big men open at mid-range and, well, Bosh is extremely capable of making them pay for it.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Question of the Game</h4>
<p>Is it Dec. 15 yet? The smart people know what I mean ...</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2013/12/3/5170728/preview-pistons-vs-heat-andre-drummond-lebron-james-dwyane-wadeSean Corp