Heat move to brink of NBA Finals

MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade was practically silent in the middle two quarters, not even finding the opportunity to shoot against Detroit's zone defense.

He awoke in the fourth, just in time to put the Miami Heat on the cusp of a trip to the NBA Finals.

Wade scored 12 of his 31 points in the final quarter Monday night, when the Heat pulled away for an 89-78 win and a 3-1 lead over the two-time defending Eastern Conference champion Pistons.

Shaquille O'Neal had 21 points -- albeit with a 5-for-15 night at the foul line -- and nine rebounds, while Udonis Haslem added 16 points for the Heat.

Tayshaun Prince had 15 points and Chauncey Billups added 14 for the Pistons.

Mavericks 95, Suns 88

PHOENIX -- Sparked by a first-half altercation involving Jason Terry and Tim Thomas, the Mavs defeated Phoenix to take a 2-1 lead Sunday night.

Dirk Nowitzki had 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Mavs, who overcame an 11-point first-half deficit and regained home-court advantage they lost in the series opener.

-- The Associa*-ted Press