NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 2: Heat at Pistons

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MIAMI HEAT @ DETROIT PISTONS >>>> OVER 185
Miami at Detroit 8:00 pm EDT Eastern Conference finals Heat lead, 1-0

The Heat is on the Detroit Pistons in more ways than one.

Two days after they looked sluggish in dropping the series opener, the Pistons will try and rebound Thursday as they host the Miami Heat in Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals.

Detroit, which is seeking its third straight trip to the NBA Finals, did not appear hungry Tuesday in a 91-86 setback in Game One. The top-seeded Pistons shot less than 38 percent (31-of-82) and made just 5-of-21 attempts from the arc.

On the other hand, the second-seeded Heat took the first step toward avenging a seven-game loss to the Pistons in this round last season.

Miami shot 56 percent (36-of-64) and held a 43-33 rebounding advantage. The Heat received 25 points from Dwyane Wade and 14 from fellow All-Star Shaquille O'Neal, but the difference was the contributions of offseason additions Antoine Walker, Gary Payton and Jason Williams, who combined for 41 points.

Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 22 points and Chauncey Billups added 19 but made just 6-of-19 shots. Tayshaun Prince chipped in 16 and Ben Wallace grabbed 14 rebounds for the Pistons, who won three of four meetings with the Heat during the regular season.

While Detroit did come from a 3-2 series deficit to beat Miami in last year's conference finals, the Pistons never have won a series after losing the first two games. In addition, the Heat never have lost a series after jumping out to a two-games-to-none advantage.

The series shifts to Miami for Game Three on Saturday.