HEAT 91 PISTONS 86
Miami strikes first in series
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Larry Lage
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>DUANE BURLESON ASSOCIATED PRESS </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Dwyane Wade of the Heat fouls Ben Wallace of the Pistons in the third quarter. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Pat Riley had one thing in mind when he revamped the supporting cast around Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade: Get past the Detroit Pistons. The Miami Heat’s new role players were so effective in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals last night that they didn’t even need their superstar duo to steal homecourt advantage from the Pistons.
First-year Heat players Antoine Walker, Gary Payton and Jason Williams all scored in double figures to lead Miami to a 91-86 victory in the best-ofseven series.
"We’ve been here before, we know what to do," Payton said. "We know how to make plays. It’s not like we’re rookies."
Wade, who sat out more than 10 straight minutes of the second half with four fouls, had 25 points in 27 minutes, and O’Neal scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half — making the Heat feel even better about starting the series strong.
"I was in a groove, but I couldn’t really get into a rhythm," Wade said.
The Pistons, who trailed by 12 points in the first quarter and nine in the second, took their first lead on Chauncey Billups’ layup with 6:55 to go in the third quarter. The two-time defending conference champions didn’t enjoy the lead long.
Miami snatched control of the game with a 20-5 run, taking a 75-65 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Their supporting cast was good — and that was the difference," Billups said.
Detroit’s backcourt scored a lot but missed a ton of shots.
Richard Hamilton had 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting from the field, and Billups finished with 19 on 6-of-19 shooting.
"We missed shots that we normally make," Billups said.
Tayshaun Prince added 16 points.
Game 2 is Thursday night in The Palace before the series shifts to Miami.
"The game becomes huge, no question," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "We have to grab the momentum of the series back."
Only foul trouble slowed down Wade and O’Neal before halftime and Wade in the third quarter.
Wade was called for his third foul with 7:47 left in the first half, with 13 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field, and O’Neal went to the bench a few minutes later with three fouls and 12 points after going 5 of 6.
With Miami’s leaders on the bench, Detroit seemed to have a perfect opportunity to take its first lead.
But the Heat’s role players, turned a three-point advantage into a 48-39 lead.
The same scenario played out shortly after Wade was called for his fourth foul with 7:14 left in the third quarter. After Wade went back to the bench, Detroit went ahead 60-55 — its largest lead — before missing 12 straight shots from the field, falling behind by eight and failing to mount much of a comeback.
