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Pistons aim for fifth straight win

Mar 2, 2007 - 4:20 PM Detroit (36-19) at Miami (28-29) 8:00 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Things have changed since the Detroit Pistons and the shorthanded Miami Heat last met.

The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons will try to extend their winning streak to five games when they travel to South Beach to face the defending champions on Friday.

On November 30, All-Star Richard Hamilton scored 24 points to lead Detroit to an 87-85 triumph over Miami, which was without superstar Shaquille O'Neal due to a knee injury in the first meeting.

Since then both teams have added and lost key pieces to their rosters. The Heat are still awaiting word on whether Dwyane Wade will have season-ending surgery on his dislocated shoulder, while the Pistons have added Chris Webber.

Miami is 3-8 without Wade and holding on to the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference standings. However, Detroit has rolled signing Webber, going 15-3 with him in the lineup.

Webber's game-winning basket with two seconds left lifted the Pistons to their 11th win in 12 contests, a 95-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls last Sunday.

The Heat are coming off a 92-83 triumph at Washington behind the efforts of O'Neal, who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks on Wednesday.

Pistons coach Flip Saunders was named Coach of the Month for February and guard Chauncey Billups earned Player of the Month honors.