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Heat, Pistons clash in battle of first-place teams

Apr 1, 2007 - 1:29 PM Miami (39-33) at Detroit (46-26) 1:00 pm EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Miami Heat are back atop the Southeast Division and they would like to keep it that way.

The Heat will finish their three-game road swing Sunday when they visit the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons in the finale of their season series.

Miami moved to the top of its division with a 92-77 triumph over Minnesota on Friday. With the win, the Heat grabbed a one-half game lead over the Washington Wizards (38-33).

Heat All-Star Dwyane Wade remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. Forward Jason Kapono (ankle) and guard Gary Payton (groin) will also be unavailable on Sunday.

The Pistons bounced back from a disappointing loss, posting a 110-105 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Friday behind Chauncey Billups, who had 32 points and 14 assists.

A two-time All-Star, Billups has averaged 26.0 points and 10.3 assists with just 1.3 turnovers in his last three outings.

"That's how (Billups) played last year for most of the year, really, and that's why he was an MVP candidate because he was aggressive offensively," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "When your point guard gets aggressive like that, it carries over to the rest of the team."

Detroit hopes guard Richard Hamilton will return. He has missing the past four contests due to the flu. Teammate Chris Webber returned Friday following his two-game absence with the same ailment.