EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

No. 1 MIAMI vs.

No. 2 DETROIT

SCHEDULE

GM 1: Monday at Miami...5 p.m.

GM 2: Wednesday at Miami...5 p.m.

GM 3: May 29 at Detroit...5 p.m.

GM 4: May 31 at Detroit...5 p.m.

GM 5: June 2 at Miami...5 p.m.*

GM 6: June 4 at Detroit...5 p.m.*

GM 7: June 6 at Miami...5 p.m.*

TV coverage: All games are on TNT.

BREAKDOWN

* Season series: Pistons, 2-1.

* Records: Heat 59-23, Pistons 54-28.

* Series preview: If Shaquille O’Neal’s bruised thigh doesn’t improve, this could be the end of the line for the Heat. The Pistons were the only team that held the Heat to fewer than 80 points this season, and did it twice -- in a 78-77 victory at Auburn Hills, Mich., on Nov. 26 and an 80-72 win at Miami last month, O’Neal’s sitting out the most recent game because of a stomach virus. The Heat made 43.3% of its three-point shots in sweeping through the first two rounds but made only 20% against the Pistons. The Heat’s Dwyane Wade has been the star of the playoffs, averaging 28.6 points on 51.9% shooting, 8.4 assists and 6.6 rebounds.

* Coaches’ playoff records: Stan Van Gundy (Miami), 14-7; Larry Brown (Detroit), 93-82.

*--* STAT COMPARISON MIA DET Points per game 101.5 93.3 Opp. points per game 95.0 89.5 Rebounds 43.0 43.4 Shooting pct. 48.6 44.4 Opp. shooting pct. 42.7 43.0 Three-point pct. 37.7 34.5 Opp. three-point pct. 34.8 33.8 Free-throw pct. 67.2 73.9

*--*

* Prediction: Heat, 4-3.

-- Jerry Crowe