The Miami Heat (47-33) will take on the Detroit Pistons (43-37) on Tuesday night at Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit.
The Heat still have a lot to be determined before the playoffs start later in the week. They currently occupy the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, but sit just a game behind the third seed and a game above the sixth. With two pivotal games left on in the regular season against the Pistons and Celtics, the Heat will have an opportunity to lock up home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They are coming off a 118-96 victory over the Magic on Sunday. Luol Deng scored 20 points (7-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-8 FT) while adding five assists, two rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes. Hassan Whiteside added 18 points (5-7 FG, 8-8 FT), 15 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in 28 minutes. Justise Winslow remains day-to-day heading into Tuesday's matchup, with an official decision likely coming after Tuesday morning's shootaround. Coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday that there were no new updates on Chris Bosh's condition with the playoffs in sight.
The Pistons similarly finish the regular season with two giant games against the Heat and Cavaliers that will weigh heavily into their postseason position. Detroit currently holds the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, but could surpass the Pacers before everything's said and done. The Pistons have won two straight, including a 112-99 victory over the Wizards on Friday. Reggie Jackson led the way with 39 points (14-20 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 7-7 FT) while adding nine assists and four rebounds in 34 minutes. The Pistons have an opportunity to take the 3-1 season series advantage over the Heat, whom they lost to on April 5 by a score of 107-89.
