Detroit @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2017 ) Miami 103, Detroit 112

The Detroit Pistons have stepped up their game on the defensive end and will try to stifle another opponent when they visit the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Despite playing once again without injured starting guards Reggie Jackson (ankle) and Avery Bradley (groin), the Pistons picked up a 93-79 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

They held the Spurs to 36.9 percent shooting while limiting an opponent to under 80 points for the first time since April 12, 2015. "It was really a team effort tonight," coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters after his team improved to 6-2 since a seven-game slide. "Everybody we put in made a contribution." The Heat have won eight of 12 after a 117-111 win at Orlando on Saturday, which came one night after a 24-point home loss to Brooklyn and a lackluster first half that saw the Magic build a 16-point lead. "Basically halftime was about them. I stepped back and let them talk and figure it out," coach Eric Spoelstra told reporters after the comeback. "It was a much different disposition in the second half. I was speechless after that game last night. I feel like that a little bit right now."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Sun (Miami)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (20-15): Reggie Bullock set a career high in scoring twice this month - establishing a new personal standard with 22 against the Spurs - as he helps atone for some of the scoring lost by Jackson and Bradley's injuries. "No matter who goes down, we've got other players that's able to step up," Bullock told reporters Saturday. "We're just doing it together as a team." The 26-year-old, who averaged 1.7 points in October and 2.5 in November, is at 13.6 over his last eight games.

ABOUT THE HEAT (19-17): The backcourt of Tyler Johnson and Goran Dragic combined for 56 points on 23-of-40 shooting to go along with 11 assists and eight rebounds in the win over Orlando. Johnson, who had 22 of his season-high 31 in a phenomenal third quarter, is averaging 17.6 points since entering the starting lineup seven games ago. Center Hassan Whiteside had 20 points and 12 rebounds in a loss at Detroit earlier this season and is averaging 11 points and 9.7 boards in 22.3 minutes over three games since returning from a knee injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Pistons rookie SG Luke Kennard scored a season-high 20 points against San Antonio and is 8-for-11 from 3-point range over a three-game stretch.

2. Miami is 6-9 in its last 15 home games.

3. Pistons F Stanley Johnson (hip) missed Saturday's game and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Heat 107, Pistons 105