Continuing their recent stretch of dominance, the Miami Heat remain the NBA's most remarkable team. Recording nearly 105 points per game while only surrendering 95 to opponents, the Heat are once again on the fast track to a championship. Entering the 2013-2014 season as the two-time defending champions, LeBron James and company present match-up nightmares on a game-by-game basis and as they currently ride a ten-game win streak, the Heat have visions of extending their impressive run when they host the Detroit Pistons at AmericanAirlines Arena the next time out.
Miami (14-3) has been overbearing throughout the ten-game streak. Led by LeBron James' 26.2 points per game and consistent offensive production from Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Michael Beasley, the defending champs' only weakness comes in the rebounding department. Struggling to grab just over 35 boards per game - placing them 30th in the league - head coach Erik Spoelstra and his club certainly have work to do in that area but the fact that Miami's defensive skills are top notch and the team holds the ability to score when needed, there is no real reason to panic at the deficiencies the rebounding category has presented through 17 games. The Heat's outside shooting has been solid as well, something Spoelstra says should continue throughout the year.
"We have no problem shooting wide-open looks," Spoelstra said after watching big man Chris Bosh drill multiple three pointers in the team's recent win over the Charlotte Bobcats. "Bosh has been putting a lot of time in, before and after practice. Once he hit the first one, the second one, you could tell he wanted it." Now set to take on a Detroit Pistons (7-10) club that has dropped two of three, Miami will be forced to deal with a squad that features five players averaging in double figures. Rodney Stuckey is the team leader in points, averaging over 16 per game but Brandon Jennings (15.9ppg), Greg Monroe (14.5ppg), Josh Smith (14.1) and Andre Drummond (13.1ppg, 12.2rpg) present individual problems of their own.
Drummond has been spectacular in recent days, shooting over 65% from the floor while averaging a double-double through 17 games. Though his free throw shooting numbers could surely improve, head coach Maurice Cheeks said the rising talent will only get better and if he's able to correct his foul line deficiencies, Drummond will become a true force.
"Andre's a great young player, but I told him tonight that he needs to learn from this," Cheeks said after Drummond missed 11-of-18 attempts from the line in Detroit's recent victory over Philadelphia. "If he becomes a better free-throw shooter, no one will be able to knock him out of a game."
Detroit will certainly need Drummond to be at his best when the Pistons take on the soaring Heat Tuesday night in Miami.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
DATE: Tuesday, December 3
TIME: 7:30pm, ET
TV COVERAGE: NBA TV
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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