Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat Picks and Predictions for Friday October 23 2026
Detroit were down 13 to Boston at halftime Tuesday. I wouldn’t have blamed anybody for switching channels. The Celtics had scored 58, Detroit had managed 45, and it looked like the Pistons were heading for an opening-night defeat. Then Detroit scored 76 points in the second half. Seventy-six. Against Boston. The Pistons ended up winning 121-113, which must have made for an interesting Celtics film session the next morning.
Miami’s opener wasn’t nearly as enjoyable. Minnesota went into the Kaseya Center on Wednesday and beat the Heat 131-106. Anthony Edwards scored 45, and Miami spent most of the night looking for somebody who could slow him down. Nobody found the answer. Detroit visits Miami at Kaseya Center on Friday, October 23, 2026. Tipoff is at 8:00 PM ET. The Heat are favored by 1.5 points, with the total at 236.5. Miami are around -125 on the moneyline. You can find more predictions in our free NBA picks.
Detroit Pistons Had Quite A Second Half Against Boston
The Pistons are 1-0, and that win over Boston was worth enjoying. They trailed 58-45 at halftime, then turned the game completely around. Detroit outscored the Celtics 76-55 over the final two quarters. Boston had Paul George scoring 38 and still couldn’t hold the lead. Detroit just kept coming. A young team getting that sort of result against an experienced opponent is going to take some confidence from it.
I’d be careful about expecting another 76-point half, though. That’s not happening every night. What interests me is that Detroit didn’t fall apart when Boston got ahead. They found ways to attack, kept pushing, and eventually made the Celtics look uncomfortable. Miami’s defense was all over the place against Minnesota, so the Pistons should get opportunities Friday. The Heat allowed 131 points at home. That’s not the sort of number that makes me want to lay points with them two nights later.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Cade Cunningham is still the player Detroit rely on to get things moving. He can score himself or find somebody else when defenders start paying too much attention to him. Jalen Duren gives the Pistons a presence inside, and Ausar Thompson brings the sort of athleticism that can make life miserable for opposing forwards. Detroit need those three involved, particularly Duren on the glass. Miami have enough size to make rebounding a battle, and the Pistons can’t afford to give away extra possessions.
Miami Heat Have Some Explaining To Do
Miami are 0-1 after that 131-106 loss to Minnesota. Twenty-five points at home. Not much you can say about that. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 35 for the Heat, but Edwards put up 45 at the other end, and Minnesota got contributions throughout its lineup. Miami never found a way to make the Timberwolves uncomfortable. The Heat weren’t just beaten by one player having a good night. They were beaten pretty thoroughly.
Now, I’m not writing Miami off because of one game. That would be ridiculous. But there’s a difference between losing a close opener and letting somebody come into your building and score 131. Detroit just scored 121 against Boston, and the Pistons aren’t going to arrive frightened of Miami’s defense. The Heat need to get stops, particularly when Cunningham starts creating opportunities. If they let Detroit attack the basket as easily as Minnesota did, this could get ugly again.
Antetokounmpo’s 35 points were the bright spot Wednesday. He’s capable of carrying an offense for long stretches, but Miami can’t ask him to do everything. Bam Adebayo needs to make his presence felt inside, both defending and rebounding. The Heat also need more from their perimeter players. Minnesota had too many comfortable scoring opportunities, and that can’t continue. I’d expect a much more physical effort Friday, if only because nobody in that Miami locker room wants another night like Wednesday.
Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat Picks and Predictions
Detroit Pistons +1.5 (-115)
I’ll take Detroit and the points. Miami are at home, and Antetokounmpo can win a game almost by himself when he gets going. That’s the obvious danger. But the Heat just got beaten by 25, while Detroit came back from 13 down to beat Boston. I’m not saying the Pistons are suddenly a better team than everybody else because of one win. I am saying they showed something Tuesday that Miami didn’t show Wednesday. Cunningham should get chances against this defense, and Duren can make things difficult around the basket. With the spread this small, I’d rather have Detroit.
Under 236.5 (-110)
The under is a little trickier. Detroit scored 121 against Boston, and Miami just allowed 131. You can make a perfectly reasonable argument for plenty of points. But I can’t imagine Miami being happy to play another game at that pace after what Minnesota did to them. I’d expect the Heat to slow things down when they can, use Antetokounmpo inside, and make Detroit work through longer possessions. The Pistons don’t need another 76-point half to win, either. I think this is a closer, more physical game than Miami’s opener. Detroit 116, Miami 113.
Final Picks: Detroit Pistons +1.5 (-115) and Under 236.5 (-110)
This preview was completed October 22, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting lineups may change before tipoff.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass!
