DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 1: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on January 1, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograp h, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images The Detroit Pistons enter tonight’s early evening tipoff against the Miami Heat at the lowest point of its season. Perhaps it is great that a low point can consist of uneven play, a winning record in the past 10 games, and the year’s longest losing streak consisting of a paltry three games. But serious Pistons watchers understand that the team is facing several serious issues right now. Things they need to figure out, and fast. Unfortunately, after Saturday’s embarrassing loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Detroit now faces a comfortable and surging Heat team. Miami has won seven of nine and is in the middle of a comfy eight-game stretch that features just one road game — a quick jaunt to Charlotte, where they beat the Hornets. Game Vitals When: 6 p.m. ETWhere: Kaseya Center, Miami, FloridaWatch: FanDuel Sports Network DetroitOdds: Pistons -2.5 Analysis The Pistons have not yet submitted an injury report for today’s game, but there is hope Cade Cunningham could suit up after missing the Brooklyn game. Detroit needs its MVP candidate back in the lineup. The offense is too dysfunctional with too few playmakers to excel without Cade running the show. Daniss Jenkins has regressed quite a bit as a scorer, and while he tries his best to facilitate and put pressure on defenses, there is a wide chasm between what he can bring and what you can expect on a nightly basis from Cunningham. The Heat have kicked it up a notch lately and are a finely tuned offensive machine. The team sports a top-5 offense in its past 10 games because it is getting to the free-throw line, moving the ball to create high-quality perimeter looks, and capitalizing on transition opportunities to score easily. In that span, both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are averaging a team-leading 21.9 points per game. Herro is hitting better than 44% from deep and averaging better than 5 assists per night, while Adebayo is playing stellar defense and adding 10 boards per game. The Heat rank 10th on the season in 3-point percentage, but several players beyond Herro are riding hot streaks that are helping fuel Miami’s potent offense. Andrew Wiggins is hitting 41% of his attempts, and Davion Mitchell (53%) and Kel’el Ware (37.5%) are expanding out in more limited attempts. We all know what Detroit has to do to win this game. Take the defensive side of the ball seriously — that is especially true of Jalen Duren, who needs to not only help contain Heat bigs who can be dangerous, but help provide a second line of defense against Herro and others, as Ausar Thompson might miss tonight’s matchup with an ankle sprain. We also need to see Cunningham do Cunningham things. His shot has been off for a bit, the turnovers have crept up, and the team can’t afford for him to play at anything less than his All-Star level. Finally, can we get a “revenge” game from Duncan Robinson? Robinson has one game of hitting more than three of his three pointers in the past month. Perhaps he can find a spark facing his former team? Projected Lineups Detroit Pistons (45-17) Cade Cunningham, Daniss Jenkins, Duncan Robinson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren Miami Heat (35-29) Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo Question of the Game What will be the first sign that the Pistons have escaped from their funk and will win this game? ...read more read less