Heat go for 25 straight against reeling Pistons
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Miami Heat will try to extend their historic winning streak to 25 games Friday night when they welcome the Detroit Pistons to American Airlines Arena.
The streak is the second-longest in NBA history and the Heat now trail the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' run by nine games.
Getting No. 24 in a row was perhaps Miami's most impressive victory during the run.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Down by 27 points in the third quarter to LeBron James' old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat went on a furious rally, spurred by James, to pull out a 97-85 win at Quicken Loans Arena.
"These are unique days in my career as a professional basketball player," said James. "You know, they came out and jumped all over us, then we came back and went on one of the best runs I've ever been a part of in this sport."
James registered a triple-double with 25 points, including 19 in the second half, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Five other Heat players scored in double figures, led by 17 from Mario Chalmers. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Shane Battier all had 11 and Ray Allen chipped in 10 off the bench.
The Heat return home after a perfect five-game road trip. They play two in a row at home and against inferior competition, although that can be said about almost every team in the league at this point.
After Friday's tilt with the Pistons and Sunday's matchup with the Charlotte Bobcats, the Heat play in Orlando, Chicago, New Orleans and San Antonio.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Before the streak can reach 25, Miami has to deal with a Pistons team on a streak of their own. Unfortunately, Detroit is at the other end of the spectrum, losing nine straight.
Detroit has been off since a Monday home loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The Pistons haven't won in the month of March and have dropped six consecutive home games.
Against the Nets, Brooklyn jumped out early with a 36-23 first-quarter romp. The Nets took the third quarter, 31-14, and polished off a 37-point romp.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Will Bynum paced the Pistons with 18 points off the bench. Greg Monroe added 17 and Rodney Stuckey and Kim English both tallied 10 points.
Lawrence Frank returned to the sidelines for the Pistons on Monday. He had missed the last six games to be with his ailing wife who underwent surgery for an undisclosed illness.
If there is a positive for the Pistons, rookie center Andre Drummond, who has been on the shelf since early February with a back injury, went through a full practice on Thursday. He is still not expected to be back in the lineup on Friday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"If you had seen practice today, you'd never have known I was hurt," said Drummond.
The Pistons snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Heat with a 109-99 home victory on Dec. 28 of this season, but Miami avenged the loss almost a month later in Miami.
Detroit has dropped seven of its last 10 in South Beach.