Game 7 On Tuesday (RP Time)

Very much in concert, the Pistons got the job done in Motown.

Detroit made good on yet another 'Sheed guarantee in a big way. With Flash out for Game 6, the Pistons went off. They closed the second and third periods on 10-0 and 9-0 runs, respectively.  Result: a 91-66 thrashing to force Game 7 in Miami. More

 

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Richard Hamilton plucked Shaquille O'Neal's lazy outlet pass from the air, took one dribble toward the basket and flicked a no-look pass to Ben Wallace for a resounding dunk.

The sound of London's Big Ben tower chimed over the loudspeaker system, and a sellout crowd stood and roared its approval. The time for the Pistons to be dethroned as champions had not yet arrived.

Hamilton did a little of everything on offense, and the Pistons swarmed and swatted their way to a dominant defensive performance Saturday night to defeat Miami 91-66 and even the best-of-seven series at three games apiece.

Game 7 will be in Miami on Monday night to determine who will represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

And the deciding factor may end up being a player who was no factor at all in Game 6 -- Dwyane Wade.

A strained rib muscle was too painful for Miami's emerging superstar to bear, and he decided to sit out just before gametime. Without their leading scorer, the Heat had no one aside from O'Neal to give them an offensive boost -- and there were several long stretches when that was exactly what Miami needed.

The 66 points represented the lowest postseason point total in Heat franchise history.

 

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 24 points and helped hold the Heat to a playoff franchise-low 66 points.