It looks to me like there's one reason the Heat are better than they were last year: Wade has elevated his game to an even higher level than seemed possible. Did anyone think he'd be shooting 70% in the first 4 games of this series?

Riley's overhaul of the supporting cast doesn't even seem to be much of a factor, if you ask me. Several of them played really well in Game 1, but then they all sucked in Game 2, and the only one who played big last night was Haslem, who was already in the line-up last year. Payton and Posey did hit a couple of shots last night, but even a clown like Damon Jones can occasionally hit a 3 if he's wide open by a mile.

Riley does deserve credit for getting their chemistry working well at just the right time, but did he need to swap out half the roster to do it? I don't see why he couldn't have gotten this result by keeping last year's Heat team together, unless the personnel changes are the reason for Wade's ascendance to a super-high level of dominance, which doesn't seem very logical to me. Shaq's been good, but he's been past the point where he can be the difference maker for at least a couple of years now. Wade has just taken over.

Didn't really look into exact stats but I believe the Heat are averaging only around 90pts in this series. With Wade pulling in about 30-31pts. Under normal circumstances I would have looked at these type of numbers and thought the Pistons would have a more than fair chance of winning the series. The Heat are doing what they need to do, credit to them. The Pistons are underperforming by a signficant margin so its hard to say if the Heat are that much better than last year. Wade is better by virtue of experience. But I wouldn't make that summary for the entire team.

That's right, anakin. Heat are averaging 91.5 so far in this series.

I think we, as a nation of Pistons fans have become a little arrogant ourselves.

If the scores were reversed, with the Pistons winning, we would be lauding them for their great defense and clutch scoring.

Make no mistake, Miami is playing at the highest level of all the playoff teams. The only consolation we have is that the Pistons are being beat by a very good and well coached team with 2 superstars.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

They are only better because they added a better coach with championship rings and Wade's game has improved more so than any of the Pistons. Their supporting cast is much better that ours even though we don't want to admit it.

Both Dallas and Phoenix would destroy Miami unless Shaq is allowed to go back to his patented elbow in the face post move everytime.

Don't know about the Suns but I can see the Mavs taking it to the Heat. That offense won't bog down over 7 games.

If this has already been address I apologize... but the Heat are much better than last year simply because they're healthy this year.

Folks take the blinders off. Hell yeah they're better. If y'all watched the playoff games that the pistons weren't playing in you'd see.

#1- You don't miss Eddie Jones. Why? Because Wade has vastly improved as a defensive guard, Wade has PROVEN that he can lock down any one of our perimeter players. He can stay with Chauncey because he's just as strong as CB and won't get pushed out of the way. He stays with Rip off the ball and when Rip catches he nor Tay have the ability to use their height advantage over him because his strength, quick hands, timing and leaping ability are just amazing.

#2- Give The Player Fomerly Known as Fatoine some props will ya. Dude is slimmer, playing smarter and causes matchup problems on the offensive end, He can also beat any of our 4's down the floor baseline to baseline. Toine has finally figured out his role on this team and is thriving in it. Say what you will but 'Toine can Shoot, dribble drive, post up, pass and rebound.......A great 3rd option if their ever was one.

#3- Williams......Is an upgrade over Damon Jones, from this perspective, he brings more speed to the backcourt, and he can see the floor well. Haslem is young and can get up the floor along with Wade and Walker. The Jones', while better Shooters made this a half court team. Do not be fooled ,4 of their starting 5 can really thrive in an uptempo game.

#4- Riles still knows this game, man it's just so easy for him it ain't even funny.

#5- As Merc said, they're healthy, that alone makes you better than last year.

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Play hard, Play smart, Play together, share the ball, have fun....Play the right way!!!!!!

I don't know if talent wise they're better than last year, but they're 1) healthier and 2) have a bigger chip on their shoulder.

But the biggest factor is 3) the Pistons are playing much, much worse. Its much easier to kill an opponent when the opponent keeps shooting themselves.