Pistons at Heat
The Miami Heat are just toying with the rest of the NBA at this point. After overcoming a 27-point deficit in Cleveland on Wednesday, the Heat will be looking to push their winning streak to 25 games when they host the Detroit Pistons on Friday. Miami was down 17 before beating the Boston Celtics on Monday and found the strength to come back against the Cavaliers on Wednesday at the end of a five-game road trip.
The Pistons would seem an unlikely opponent to end the streak, as they have dropped nine straight and could be without their starting backcourt on Friday. Brandon Knight is fighting through an ankle sprain and Jose Calderon was forced to leave Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets in the first quarter with flu-like symptoms. The Heat have come back from a number of deficits big and small during the streak and proved on Wednesday that even holes approaching 30 points aren’t enough to intimidate the defending champs.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSD (Detroit), SUN (Miami)
ABOUT THE PISTONS (23-46): Detroit has struggled to even remain competitive during its losing streak, falling by an average of 17.6 points. The worst setback came at home on Monday, when the Pistons dropped a 119-82 decision to the Nets. Detroit’s only wins in the last six weeks have come against the Washington Wizards (twice) and the Charlotte Bobcats. Looking for positives leads to center Greg Monroe, who has scored in double figures in each of his last 12 games and was 8-for-10 in the loss to the Nets. Monroe went for 31 points and 12 rebounds at Miami on Jan. 25, but the rest of his teammates could not keep pace as the Pistons suffered a 110-88 loss.
ABOUT THE HEAT (53-14): Miami absolutely dominated the final 18 minutes in Wednesday’s win at Cleveland, erasing that 27-point deficit and leading by nine before sweating out the final seconds. The Heat are not only chasing history with the 1971-72 Lakers, they are trying to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. Miami is 1 1/2 games up on the San Antonio Spurs for the best record in the NBA and has put the rest of the Eastern Conference in its rearview mirror. LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the win at Cleveland and is averaging 26.8 points, 8.1 boards and 7.8 assists during the streak to erase any lingering doubt that he deserves a second straight MVP award.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Miami has taken eight of the last nine in the series, including four straight at home.
2. Pistons C Andre Drummond (back) has been taking part in practice but is not expected to play on Friday.
3. Heat G Dwyane Wade scored 11 points on Wednesday - his lowest total of the winning streak.