Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons, 1/18/19 NBA Predictions & Odds

Heat vs. Pistons Prediction

Will the Detroit Pistons be able to defend their home court tonight when they take on the Miami Heat at 7PM ET?

Game Snapshot & Odds

557 Miami Heat vs. 558 Detroit Pistons

Friday, January 18, 2019

7PM ET – Little Caesars Arena

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Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Pistons are the slight favorite, as they are getting odds of -1.5 points against the Heat. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 207.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 54 percent going on the Heat on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.

Heat looking to avoid losing record

Miami is coming off a 124-86 loss at Milwaukee earlier this week to fall to the .500 mark for the season. The Heat are 21-21 on the season, 10-9 on the road, 23-19 against the spread and 23-19 with the over.

The Heat have been one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, allowing 106.1 points per game while holding opponents to 44 percent shooting. Offensively, Miami is putting up 106.2 points per game and shooting just 44 percent themselves. Already without Goran Dragic until February due to a knee injury, guard Tyler Johnson is questionable to play tonight with an illness. Josh Richardson is leading the team with 17.7 points per game while Hassan Whiteside is adding 12.8 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.42 blocks per contest.

Pistons edge Orlando

Detroit is coming off a 120-115 OT win over the Orlando Magic at home on Wednesday. The Pistons have covered the spread in three straight. Detroit is now 19-24 on the season, 12-10 at home, 20-22-1 against the spread and 23-20 with the under.

The Pistons are an offense that are struggling this season. They scored 106.9 points per game while shooting a league-worst 33.1 percent from the arc and 43.5 percent form the field. Defensively, Detroit gives up 109.6 points per game. The Pistons do have the NBA’s top 3-point defense, as opponents make just 32.4 percent of the 3-point shots. Blake Griffin is leading the team with 25.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while Andre Drummond is adding 16.7 points and 15.1 rebounds per contest.

NBA Betting Trends

Miami

The Heat are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 road games and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games playing on two days of rest.

Detroit

The Pistons are 2-5-1 against the spread in their last eight conference games and 6-16 in their last 22 games against Southeast Division opponents.

Prediction:

The Pistons have been a tough team to trust, but they are on a nice cover streak right now. Their losses at home have been largely against top-level players or teams. I don’t see Miami having either of those. The Heat don’t have a game-changing player and they are also an inconsistent team. I think Whiteside will struggle with the Drummond/Griffin combo and Detroit shoots a little better from the arc at home. I will take my chances on Detroit tonight.

NBA Prediction: Detroit Pistons -1.5