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Pistons-Heat Preview

Dec 21, 2015 - 7:20 PM A three-day layoff couldn't have come at a better time for the Detroit Pistons. The same can be said about Brandon Jennings' impending return.

Coming off the longest game in their history, the Pistons visit the Miami Heat on Tuesday night with Jennings expected to be in uniform for the first time in 11 months.

Detroit (16-12) received a fortunate break from the schedule after outlasting Chicago 147-144 in a four-overtime thriller on Friday, the NBA's longest game since Atlanta downed Utah in four OTs in March 2012. Another positive came when Jennings played 27 minutes for the team's D-League affiliate in Grand Rapids on Saturday, getting 11 points and 12 assists in his first game action since the point guard ruptured his left Achilles tendon Jan. 24 at Milwaukee.

Jennings will join the Pistons in Miami to add a needed experienced body to a team whose starters lead the league in minutes played per game, though he'll be eased in due to the injury and the current rotation playing well.

"I think we're still going to take our time," Jennings told the Pistons' official website. "I think more on the defensive end, I'm still having trouble right now pushing off, trying to get through screens, which is still expected. So my lateral movement is something I have to work on."

Jennings could log some time at shooting guard, where starter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's 37.9 minutes per game trails only Houston's James Harden for tops in the NBA and backup Jodie Meeks is still rehabbing a fractured foot.

The Pistons haven't lacked for backcourt production of late. Reggie Jackson is averaging 26.0 points and 7.2 assists during Detroit's 4-1 stretch and Caldwell-Pope has scored 21.3 per game over his last four, highlighted by a career-high 31 in Wednesday's 119-116 win over Boston.

Jackson tallied 31 points and 13 assists in Friday's marathon, and Andre Drummond amassed a career-high 33 points and 21 rebounds for the first 30-20 game by a Piston since Dennis Rodman in January 1991.

"We are trying to prove ourselves night in and night out," Jackson said. "A four-overtime win in a battle like this, I think we are coming out and making statements."

Drummond compiled 18 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks in Detroit's 104-81 home rout of the Heat on Nov. 25, with the Pistons limiting Dwyane Wade to a season-low two points on 1-of-9 shooting.

Wade has shot 61.4 percent in averaging 22.3 points over his last three for Miami (16-10), which also has won four of five following Sunday's 116-109 home victory over Portland. The Heat overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and Goran Dragic's ejection late in the third quarter, outscoring the Trail Blazers 34-23 in the fourth.

''It was harrowing in the second half,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said. ''But I liked us showing some mental stability and competitive toughness while things weren't necessarily going our way.''

Chris Bosh scored 11 of his 29 points in the final period and Gerald Green contributed 17 off the bench. Green has averaged 17.2 points and shot 50.0 percent on 3-pointers over a five-game stretch to bring some production to a reserve unit that's 28th in the league in scoring (26.1 points per game).

The Pistons rank last in bench points (23.3 ppg).

Miami, which has won seven of eight at home against Detroit, is holding opponents to 31.8 percent shooting on 3s to rate among the league leaders. The Pistons were 16 of 31 from beyond the arc in last month's meeting, however.