Pistons Sputter But Beat Heat to Win Central

The Detroit Pistons tired to keep the Miami Heat in the game last night, but even an injured starter, too many turnovers, and bad shot selection couldn't stop the Pistons from winning the Central Division title with an 85-69 win over the Heat, reports the Detroit News. Arron Afflalo played for an injured Richard Hamilton and scored 15 points while grabbing eight rebounds, as the Pistons clinched a sixth division title in seven years.

The Heat only had nine players available for the game, with starters Dwyane Wade, Jason Williams and Shawn Marion all hurt. Still, Miami managed to build a seven-point lead in the first quarter. Afflalo, however, scored the first two baskets of the third quarter to give the Pistons the lead for good as the Heat wilted again, making on 3 of 14 shots in the third. (More NBA stories.)