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Pistons, Heat try to return to form in season opener

Nov 1, 2007 - 1:16 PM Detroit (0-0) at Miami (0-0) 8:00 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) - The Detroit Pistons begin their journey back to the playoffs on Thursday when they take on the Miami Heat in the season opener for both teams.

After losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games during last season's Eastern Conference finals, the Pistons are looking to return there for a fifth straight season.

Despite four consecutive conference final appearances, the Pistons have made it to the NBA Finals just twice, winning the championship in 2003-04. However, Detroit is poised to at least return to the playoffs despite a much improved Eastern Conference.

Chauncey Billups almost didn't return to the Pistons after opting out of the deal he signed in 2002. After several days as a free agent, the 32-year-old point guard inked a four-year, $64 million deal with a team option for a fifth year which would be worth $14 million.

Billups averaged 17 points and 7.2 assists last season, his fifth in Detroit. For his career, Billups averages 14.5 points and 5.3 assists in parts of 11 seasons with the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Pistons.

The Heat, who won the NBA title during the 2005-06 season, try to return to their championship form this season after finishing with a 44-38 record in 2006-07.

Miami will enter the season shorthanded with superstar Dwyane Wade expected to be sidelined until mid-November after undergoing shoulder and knee surgery in the offseason. Wade missed 31 games last season but still averaged 23.5 points and 6.5 assists.

The Heat also will be looking for a different result than they had in their opener last season. After raising their championship banner, the Heat endured an embarrassing 108-66 thrashing at the hands of the Chicago Bulls.