Heat 110, Pistons 95
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Forward LeBron James had 24 points, seven rebounds and nine assists as the Miami Heat snapped the Detroit Pistons' four-game winning streak with a 110-95 victory on Sunday night at The Palace.
Guard Ray Allen, who started in place of inactive Dwyane Wade, pumped in 18 points as Miami (16-5) avenged its 107-97 home loss to Detroit on Tuesday that ended a 10-game winning streak. Wade sat out on the second part of a back-to-back to rest his sore knees.
Center Chris Bosh supplied 16 points and nine rebounds to give the Heat some momentum entering a showdown game Tuesday against Indiana, its main threat in the Eastern Conference. Miami shot 55.6 percent from the field and never trailed.
Heat reserve forward Michael Beasley was sidelined for the second straight game with a tender hamstring.
Second-year center Andre Drummond notched his 15th double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds while point guard Brandon Jennings had 19 points and six assists for the Pistons (10-11). Forward Josh Smith chipped in 13 points.
The Pistons played without sixth man Rodney Stuckey. The shooting guard banged knees during Detroit's 92-75 victory in Chicago on Saturday night and was diagnosed with left knee patellar tendinitis.
The Heat took control by outscoring the Pistons 32-17 in the third quarter for a 91-70 lead. Miami opened the half with a 15-4 run, capped by James' steal and layup to make it 74-57. Guard Roger Mason Jr. gave the Heat a 20-point lead, 84-64, with a 3-pointer off a James pass.
Miami shot 64.7 percent during the first half to take a 59-53 halftime lead. James had 12 points and five assists while reserve forward Rashard Lewis made all three of his 3-point attempts.
NOTES: Detroit last won five consecutive games in December 2009. ... Miami SG Dwyane Wade, who missed his sixth game of the season Sunday, scored 19 points in 32 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. "I'm encouraged by how he looks physically," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That's the most important thing. He's going to get better and quicker as the season goes on. We want to be very diligent and judicious early on to make sure he's taking forward steps instead of backward steps." ... Pistons SG Rodney Stuckey, who missed his second game of the season, is averaging 15.4 points. "He's been such a vital part of us up to this point," Detroit coach Mo Cheeks said. "We look to him to give us a spark off the bench." ... Detroit was 30th in defensive field-goal percentage prior to the win streak but was up 22nd by Sunday. "Our defense has gotten a little better," Cheeks said. "We've been more aggressive on the ball and in trying to take away paint points." ... Prior to Sunday, F Shane Battier took nine charges this season, nearly half of the Heat's total of 19.
