SPORTS

NBA: Heat down Pistons

May 30, 2005 13:51 IST

Dwyane Wade scored 36 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 24 as the Miami Heat beat the Detroit Pistons 113-104 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference finals in Auburn Hills on Sunday.

Eddie Jones added 19 points for the Heat, who moved into a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game Four is also in Detroit on Tuesday.

The Pistons had disciplinary problems throughout the game, with Chauncey Billups fouling out and Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess all picking up five fouls.

Rasheed Wallace and Billups also received technical fouls for the reigning NBA champions, while coach Larry Brown also vented his frustrations at the officials late in the game.

The top-seeded Heat took advantage of the foul opportunities and finally found a way to generate some offense against Detroit's stingy defense.

Wade and O'Neal were the obvious keys for the Heat, especially in the productive first half, as Miami regained home court advantage after splitting the first two games in Florida.

"Right now he's [Wade] the best player in the playoffs," said O'Neal, who is still suffering from an injured thigh.

"I play with the best player in the world in Dwyane Wade."

Wade was 12-for-21 and also pulled down seven rebounds as he continues his outstanding playoff run.

"It was a great win for us," Wade said.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 33 points, while Tayshaun Prince and Billups scored 18 points each.

The Heat led 53-51 at the half but Miami pulled away with a strong second half, shooting 52 percent from the floor, including 50 percent (7-for-14) from three-point range.

 

Source: REUTERS
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