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Wade and Co. outscored the Pistons by nine on the fast break.
(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) |
Miami will make its first trip to the NBA Finals after eliminating Detroit on Friday in a
95-78 home win in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Shaquille O'Neal set the tone in the first half, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds en route to an 11-point halftime lead. O'Neal finished with 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, while posting 16 boards and five blocks. O'Neal is making his sixth trip to The Finals and will be making his first appearance since 2004. Jason Williams also sizzled from the floor, drilling 10-of-12 shots on his way to 21 points. Dwyane Wade, who received IV treatment the entire day due to effects from the flu, collected 14 points and 10 assists. The Heat were able to stifle the Pistons attack, limiting the defending Eastern Conference Champions to 33-percent shooting. Detroit was paced by Richard Hamilton's 33 points. Detroit, which boasted the best record in the league this season, will miss The Finals for the first time in three seasons. Heat coach Pat Riley, who is making his ninth Finals appearance, will take Miami into Game 1 of The Finals on Thursday, June 8 against Dallas (9 p.m. ET on ABC).
Click and Roll: Pistons-Heat edition

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