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Struggling Pistons host LeBron, Heat

Jan 25, 2012 - 3:36 PM (Sports Network) - With or without Dwyane Wade tonight the Miami Heat should have no trouble with the host Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Wade has missed five straight games with a sprained ankle and eight overall this season, with the Heat going 7-1 in those games. The 2006 NBA Finals MVP is questionable for tonight and is averaging 19.6 points per game. Miami continued to roll without one of its top players and edged the Cleveland Cavaliers, 92-85, last night in the finale of a five-game homestand (4-1).

Chris Bosh scored a season-high 35 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and LeBron James netted 18 points against his former team for the Heat, who will head to south Florida for a three-game residency after Wednesday's game in Detroit. The Heat made 45.7 percent of their shots

"Whenever I play and I don't hesitate, good things happen," Bosh said told Miami's official website.

The Heat have dropped three in a row on the road and are 5-3 as the guest.

Detroit sports a 4-14 record this season and has lost 11 of the past 13 games, and is coming off Monday's 99-79 road setback against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined to score 68 points to send the Pistons back to the loss column.

Brandon Knight ended with 13 points for the Pistons, who have lost 15 straight to Western Conference opponents on the road since a 100-94 triumph over Sacramento in November 2010. Rodney Stuckey and Greg Monroe each tallied 12 points for Detroit, which got 11 points from Jonas Jerebko and was coming off an impressive win over Portland.

Pistons first-year head coach Lawrence Frank wasn't too pleased postgame.

"Look, we had nine shots within three feet. We missed them all," said Frank. "You have to give their defense credit but you have to get back. We didn't get back so when you look at the picture and you look at the film, there are times literally when we have two blue jerseys and they have four white under our basket and they still beat us down the floor.

"Now they have great speed and quickness but for us we just didn't do enough to make them play against a set defense."

Tayshaun Prince had only nine points, but is averaging 18.2 points in his last six games. Monroe is posting a double-double with 14.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in his last nine contests, while Knight is averaging 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 12 games as a starter.

The Pistons were without guards Ben Gordon (shoulder) and Will Bynum (foot). Bynum is doubtful for tonight and Gordon is listed as questionable. Detroit will also host Atlanta on its short homestand and is 3-6 at The Palace.

Detroit lost all four meetings with Miami a season ago and has dropped nine of the previous 10 encounters with the Heat, winners of five straight as the visitor in this series. James averaged 23.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists last year against the Pistons. Wednesday's showdown between Miami and Detroit is the first of three contests this season.