**Miami at Detroit**



-- The first game of tonight’s doubleheader features a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals, with Detroit and Miami meeting from The Palace of Auburn Hills.



-- The Pistons stopped the Heat in seven games, including an 88-82 decisive win in Game 7 at American Airlines Arena. Miami was 1-2 both SU and ATS in its two trips to The Palace, while the ‘over’ went 2-1.



-- Miami (17-12 straight up, 12-17 against the spread) won its second straight game Tuesday as a nine-point home favorite against Milwaukee, 109-98.



-- The Heat are 6-2 SU and 4-4 ATS since head coach Pat Riley took over the reigns from Stan Van Gundy.



-- Miami has struggled on the road this year, going 6-8 SU and 7-7 ATS.


-- This will be the first of back-to-back tilts for the Heat before traveling to Washington on Friday.



-- Detroit (23-3 SU, 16-10 ATS) extended its winning streak to eight games Tuesday after stopping Toronto 113-106. The Raptors earned the backdoor cover as 12 ½-point road underdogs, while the combined 219 points easily went ‘over’ the closing total of 194.



-- Surprisingly, two of the three setbacks for Detroit have come against losing teams (Washington, Utah). Even though they’re the best team in the league at this point, the Pistons were humbled by 37 points (119-82) against Dallas on Nov. 19.



-- The Pistons have been dominating at home this year, going 11-1 SU and 8-4 ATS. The lone loss came in double-overtime fashion on Nov. 25 against Washington, 120-114.



-- Head coach Flip Saunders has instituted a new offense in Motown this season. The Pistons are averaging 99.9 points per game, including 107 PPG at home. The ‘over’ is 13-12 on the season and 8-4 at home.



-- Most books have Detroit listed as a five-point home favorite for this contest, with the total hovering at 194. This is the lowest line all season as a home ‘chalk’ for the Pistons.



-- Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST with TNT offering national coverage.



**Seattle at Denver**



-- Seattle (12-14 SU, 11-14 ATS) will be playing the second end of back-to-back nights after facing Minnesota at Target Center on Wednesday.



-- The Sonics are 2-3 both SU and ATS when playing on no days rest.



-- Seattle is 4-6 both SU and ATS on the road.



-- Defense has been missing in the Great Northwest this year. Seattle is giving up 104.9 PPG on the year, ranked last in the league. Also, the team is allowing opponents to shoot 49.3 percent from the floor, ranked last as well.



-- The ‘over’ is 19-6 on the year, including 7-3 at home.



-- Luke Ridnour (head) isn’t traveling with the team and backup point guard Flip Murray (finger) is listed as day-to-day.



-- After this game, the Sonics host Memphis on Saturday before opening up a five-game road trip on Monday.



-- Denver (14-15 SU, 14-15 ATS) is off a loss Tuesday as a four-point home favorite against Philadelphia, 108-106. Sixers’ guard Allen Iverson drilled a jumper with four ticks left to seal the win.



-- Despite the losing record, the Nuggets are only one-game behind Minnesota for first place within the Northwest Division.



-- The Nuggets are 9-5 SU and 7-7 ATS at home. All five of the losses have been by eight points or less.



-- George Karl’s team has had a defensive lapse as well lately, giving up 107.8 PPG in the last six games. The ‘over’ has prevailed to a 6-0 mark during this stretch.



-- Last year, both teams split the season series at 2-2 both SU and ATS, with each squad earning stealing a road win. The ‘over’ was 3-1.



-- TNT offers national coverage of this game at 10:30 p.m. EST.