Heat, Pistons meet for first time this season

Detroit and Miami are playing for the first time since the Heat knocked out the Pistons in six games during last year’s Eastern Conference finals. The Pistons defeated Miami in seven games in the 2005 conference finals.

The Pistons have won six of their last eight at Miami. Detroit has captured two straight and 10 of the last 12 contests in this series.

Detroit enters tonight’s game well rested. On Saturday,Chauncey Billups scored 29 points, including Detroit’s final nine of the game from the free throw line, to lead the Pistons to a 115-111 win over the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center.

Billups was an unbelievable 18-for-19 from the charity stripe and finished with seven assists for the Pistons, who won their sixth straight game. Tayshaun Prince added 21 points for Detroit, which was still outrebounded by the Wizards, 42-35.

The Pistons are 4-3 as the visitor this season. Detroit returns home to host the New York Knicks on Friday at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Miami, which plays the finale of a brief two-game homestand, enters tonight’s contest on a two-game winning streak. All-Star Dwyane Wade had 33 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead the Heat past the Philadelphia 76ers, 103-91, at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Forward Udonis Haslem posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Sixers for Miami, while veteran center Alonzo Mourning scored 14 points in the victory.

On the injury front for Miami, swingman James Posey is probable for tonight’s contest. Posey, who is averaging 4.6 points and 3.7 boards this season, has missed the last five games with a left calf injury.

The Heat are 3-5 at home this season. After tonight’s game, they embark on a four-game road trip. Miami will visit the Memphis Grizzlies, LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets on the swing.