Streaking Heat defeats Pistons 89-78
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-31 14:25

Dwyane Wade's first NBA triple-double kept Miami's winning streak alive. Wade had 31 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Heat past the Detroit Pistons 89-78 Thursday night to extend their franchise-record winning streak to 13 games.

Miami Heats' Dwyane Wade (3) goes to the basket past Detroit Pistons' Antonio McDyess (24) in the first half Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Wade led all players with 31 points in the Heat'gf s 89-78 win. [AP]

Miami, which last lost on Dec. 4, won 14 games in a month for the first time.

Wade, in his second NBA season, dominated the Pistons with unstoppable drives, timely passes and rebounding. He was 12-of-18 from the field and made 7 of 10 free throws.

Shaquille O'Neal, playing with a sore back and ribs, had 21 points for the Heat.

The Pistons led for much of the game before falling apart in the fourth quarter, making just 3 of 22 shots. They led 76-71 midway through the fourth before the Heat closed the game with an 18-2 run.

Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 21 points and Rasheed Wallace had 13, but they were a combined 2-of-13 in the fourth quarter. Ben Wallace had 13 points and nine rebounds and reserve Antonio McDyess added 12 points.

Detroit had won three straight and five of seven.

Udonis Haslem had 16 points and seven rebounds and Eddie Jones added 11 points and nine rebounds, showing that the Heat are not just a two-man team.

The Pistons were ahead 20-17 after the first quarter and 47-41 at halftime, leading after the first half for just the ninth time in 28 games this season.

O'Neal was held to eight points in the first half on 3-of-13 shooting, but scored eight points in the third.

Detroit took its largest lead at 57-48 early in the third quarter, but Miami answered with a 12-2 run. The Pistons started the fourth with a 69-67 lead.

O'Neal leads the Eastern Conference with 1,311,762 All-Star votes, three times more than Ben Wallace, who started at center the past two years. ... The Pistons, who beat the Heat 78-77 at home on Nov. 26, make their only scheduled trip to Miami on April 10. Wade missed 11 of 17 shots in the first meeting.

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