Michael Beasley ends slump to lead Heat past Pistons

Beasley ends slump to lead Heat past Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Michael Beasley snapped out of a slump with 28 points and nine rebounds as the Miami Heat won their sixth straight, beating the Detroit Pistons 98-81 Wednesday night.

Beasley came into the game averaging 10.1 points in his last seven games, but scored eight in the first quarter against the struggling Pistons.

Dorell Wright added 17 points off the bench for Miami, while Quentin Richardson had 16. Dwyane Wade finished with 10, shooting 4 for 13 on the night.

The Pistons have lost nine straight and 16 of their last 18. Detroit, already missing Richard Hamilton (ankle) and Chris Wilcox (hamstring), lost Jason Maxiell to a back strain in the first quarter.

Rodney Stuckey had 18 points for Detroit and Tayshaun Prince added 17.

The Pistons jumped out to an early 19-9 lead, but Miami outscored them 35-12 over the next 12 minutes to take control of the game. The Heat shot 50 percent in the first half, and had almost as offensive rebounds (eight) as the Pistons had defensive rebounds (nine).

Miami led by as many as 22 down the stretch. Despite the lopsided outcome and the injury to Maxiell, Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva never left the bench, three days after playing just five minutes in Detroit’s last game.

NOTES: Jermaine O’Neal said before the game that he hopes to return to practice on Thursday, six days after hyperextending his right knee in a win over Milwaukee. … X-rays on Maxiell were negative; his status for Detroit’s game Friday against Phoenix is unknown. … Detroit went 2-13 in March, its most losses in a month since going 0-13 in April 1994.