The Miami Heat and their trio of All-Stars will try to maintain the best record in the Eastern Conference when they host the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Miami has won three straight and four of five after rallying from a 15-point deficit for a 123-116 overtime win at home against Toronto on Wednesday. Forward Chris Bosh was named a reserve for the NBA All-Star Game on Thursday, joining teammates Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, who were selected to start for the East in fan balloting.
The Pistons, who do not boast any All-Star selections, would seem to be overmatched but they won the first meeting of the season 109-99 in Detroit on Dec. 28 - albeit without Wade on the floor. Detroit seemed poised for a three-game win streak before squandering a 17-point lead in an 85-82 loss at Chicago on Wednesday. Still, Detroit has won seven of 11 during a stretch that started with its win over Miami.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, SunSports (Miami)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (16-26): Detroit is at its best when grinding out wins in low-scoring games with tough defense and strong post play from Greg Monroe (15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds). The Pistons have a solid, young point guard in Brandon Knight (13.9 points, 4.4 assists) but don't have a bevy of scorers, and especially not ones who can create for themselves off the dribble. Veteran Tayshaun Price (12 points) is still capable of big nights, as is reserve guard Rodney Stuckey (11.6 points).
ABOUT THE HEAT (27-12): It's no surprise Miami boasts one of the top offensive teams in the league with James (26.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists), Wade (20.5 points, 4.5 assists) and Bosh (17.3 points, 7.2 rebounds) leading the way. The defense has been less consistent, but the Heat are capable of turning it on at that end when they need to. They rank seventh in the league in opponents' field-goal percentage (43.6).
BUZZER BEATERS
1. James has scored in double figures in 458 consecutive games, including a franchise-record 180 straight since joining the Heat. He has hit double digits in the first quarter of his past five games.
2. Prince needs to make three 3-pointers to reach 500 for his career.
3. Miami is 9-1 this season when its bench outscores the opponent's reserves. Detroit held a 64-20 edge in bench scoring in the first meeting this season.