"No, Miami isn't the running circus it appeared to be last season.

But you'd be hard pressed to find many people who'll bet against the Heat returning to the NBA Finals this season.

And, Miami is the last group a struggling team wants to see on the court.

Enter the Pistons, coming off what coach Lawrence Frank termed an "embarrassing" loss to the Thunder on Monday.

Miami strolls into Auburn Hills at 12-5, and is the only team in the East averaging more than 100 points, headlined by the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh."