Dwyane Wade poured in 40 points as the Miami Heat bounced back from their first playoff loss of the postseason with a 92-86 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, to level the Eastern Conference finals at 1-1.
After struggling in the opener of the best-of-seven series against the defending NBA champions, Wade was brilliant in Game Two, complementing his huge points tally with eight rebounds and six assists.
Just 7-of-25 from the field in the series opener, Wade was 15-of-28 and 10-for-10 from the free throw line to send the Heat to Detroit for Game Three on Sunday with the series tied.
"I listened to a lot of people and used everything my coaches told me," Wade said, adding he had received a 3:30 a.m. pep-talk call from team mate Shaquille O'Neal.
"They told me every time you have a bad game, come back with a good one," said Wade, who scored 20 points in the fourth quarter.
"I was rushing my shots, I wasn't being patient. Tonight I was more patient.
"This is a great team [Detroit] and we know they aren't going to give up.
"We've now got to go into a hostile environment and got to get one."
O'Neal, who continues to be slowed by a bruised thigh injury, made his presence felt by contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds while Damon Jones added 14 points for Miami.
Richard Hamilton had 21 points for the Pistons while Tayshaun Prince tallied 17.
REMARKABLE EFFORT
Trailing by as many as 14 points, the Pistons went on an 11-1 run to end the third quarter to pull in front 63-62 and then led by two with just over five minutes to play.
"The effort to come back was remarkable," Detroit coach Larry Brown said.
"But they're a great team... well coached.
"I didn't think the series was over after taking Game One and I thought we had to play our best to win this game and we came up a little short."
Playing with desperation and Wade leading the way, the Heat would not wilt under Detroit's pressure and O'Neal converted a three-point play with four minutes remaining to put the Miami in front to stay 81-78.
With the defending champions mounting one final rally, Wade blunted the comeback with two clutch free throws with 14 seconds on the clock.
"Dwyane was obviously fabulous tonight," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said.
"I'm always confident he can adjust and he made some adjustments tonight and played very, very well," he added.
"I think you guys all saw that tonight, how tough he is mentally.
"No matter what happens, this guy will keep trying to work and adjust.
"This is a smart, humble guy who approaches his profession the right way."
