Heat at Pistons
A marquee matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Christmas Day kicked off a stretch of four games in five days for the Miami Heat, who will pursue their seventh consecutive victory when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. The Heat have dominated the Pistons of late, winning seven straight matchups and 12 of the last 13. The road could be a bit tougher this time around as Miami will be forced to play without star guard Dwyane Wade, who will be serving a one-game suspension.
Wade was punished by the league Thursday for flailing his leg at the groin area of Charlotte guard Ramon Sessions in Wednesday's game. Detroit had a chance to put together a three-game winning streak but fell in double overtime at Atlanta on Wednesday night for its seventh loss in nine games. Will Bynum poured in 31 points to spark an 85-point performance by the Pistons' bench. Detroit's only two wins during the current slump have come against league-worst Washington.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Miami), Fox Sports Detroit
ABOUT THE HEAT (20-6): Miami's winning streak has given the team its best record through 26 games in the 25 seasons of the franchise. Wade had one of his best games of the season with 29 points and nine rebounds against Charlotte, but he could be joined on the bench by Ray Allen. Allen sat out Wednesday's win over Charlotte with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Friday. The Heat are playing the second of a four-game road trip after opening the season with 16 home games in their first 25.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (9-22): Detroit has lost 10 of 14 this month, and its only victories have come against Cleveland and Washington. The starting five combined for only 34 points in Atlanta, but a sensational effort by the reserves made it a winnable game. Rookie center Andre Drummond had a double-double off the bench with 16 points and 12 rebounds. The 19-year-old Drummond is averaging 12.3 boards and has seven blocked shots in his last three games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. LeBron James had 27 points and 12 boards at Charlotte, extending his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 31 straight games.
2. Detroit has lost seven straight at home to the Heat.
3. Wade's suspension is the first of his 10-year career.