Wade poured in 31 points as the Heat took a 3-1 lead over the Pistons in the best-of-seven series with an 89-78 victory.

Miami is now just one win away from reaching the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history, proving yet again that coach Pat Riley - who has won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and led the New Knicks to the finals - has the Midas touch.

Riley rates Wade - who made 8-of-11 shots and is averaging 30.8 points in the series - as one of the best players he has ever coached.

"We need every ounce of energy he brings out there," Riley told NBA.com. "I could not give him a rest in the second half. He's right there; he's very special."

Shaquille O'Neal added 21 points and nine rebounds for Miami, which will try to close out the series in Detroit on Thursday.

The Pistons' cause wasn't helped with Rasheed Wallace fouling out and Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups in foul trouble for most of the game.

Tayshaun Prince scored 15 points, Billups 14 and Rasheed Wallace 12, but the team seeking its third straight appearance in the finals seemed to lack its usual intensity on the defensive end of the court.

"It's tough. We put ourselves in this situation," Prince said. "But like I said, it's not over."