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Heat-Pistons: 56k | 300k 
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"Their defense stepped it up in the second half, playing very well and very physical, just like you would expect this Detroit team to play," Miami coach Stan Van Gundy said. "I thought their defense was the key. We had trouble scoring against them in the second half, and a lot of teams have had that problem."
The Heat, who were swept by the Pistons for the first time since their inaugural 1988-89 season, shot 48 percent (19-of-40) in the first half and took a 45-37 lead into the break.
"We were just not playing together in the first half, especially on the defensive end," said Pistons center Ben Wallace, who had eight rebounds and seven blocks. "The second half, we were a little more conscious about helping out a guy playing tough on the perimeter, not letting his man get all the way to the basket and get layups."
Detroit went on a 22-6 run bridging the middle periods to take a 52-49 edge midway through the third quarter. The lead seesawed back until Chauncey Billups sank a go-ahead layup to give Detroit a 73-71 edge with 7:17 left, triggering a 13-4 run.
Wallace capped the burst with a layup for an 84-75 advantage with 2:28 left. Miami got no closer than five points thereafter as Detroit recorded its 11th win in 13 games.
Billups scored 31 points -- 20 in the second half -- and chipped in seven rebounds and seven assists. He made up for a subpar effort from backcourt mate Richard Hamilton, who had only three points as he battled foul trouble.
"When you've got him struggling to even stay in the game, foul trouble, and not doing what he does, obviously somebody's got to take up the slack," Billups said. "Today was one of those days and I just wanted to be a little more aggressive, try to get to the basket and get fouled or just create and score."
Lamar Odom had 18 points and nine rebounds before fouling out for the Heat (37-39), who lost for just the second time in 11 games. Miami fell into sixth place in the Eastern Conference, one-half game behind New Orleans (37-38).
Detroit (49-27) is locked into third place and would face Miami in the first round were the season to end today.
"We know those guys are not going to go away," Wallace said. "If we see them, we have to get up and play every night. That team has been playing well, especially since the All-Star break. They've been making things happen. They're not to be taken lightly."