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Heat cruise past Pistons

Dec 2, 2010 - 4:57 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - LeBron James scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds, as the Miami Heat handled the Detroit Pistons, 97-72.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh each added 16 points for the Heat, who improved to 9-3 at home this season. Bosh also pulled down seven rebounds and dished out four assists.

Miami has won three of four since a three-game skid.

"This is a young ball club, we understand that," James said. "We have to live in the moment. We have to play these games out and not focus on the next night. I loved the way we approached the game from the opening tip. We got a real convincing win."

Greg Monroe finished with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Pistons, who have lost three in a row and seven of nine overall. Charlie Villanueva tallied 10 points and six boards in a reserve role.

Detroit has struggled to a 2-9 record away from The Palace this season.

"It (lack of energy) showed out there," Villanueva said. "We couldn't make any shots. We let our offense dictate our defense. It just wasn't there tonight."

Ahead by one, 9-8, early on, Miami ripped off eight straight points. James' jumper gave the Heat a 17-8 margin with 5:06 left in the opening quarter. James made a layup and hit a three-pointer moments later to make it a 24-12 game with 2:25 remaining.

Miami led 29-18 after 12 minutes of action, and outscored the Pistons, 25-24, in the second stanza to take a 54-42 lead into the locker room.

Ahead 58-46 early in the third, the Heat scored seven unanswered points to create some breathing room. Wade started the burst with a three-point play and James ended it with a slam for a 65-46 margin with 6:41 remaining.

It was 73-51 moving to the fourth and Miami cruised to the finish in the final frame.

Game Notes

Miami took two of three matchups from Detroit a season ago and has won six of the past seven meetings between the teams...The Pistons have lost five in a row on the road.