Did they even need to play an 82-game regular season and two rounds of the playoffs? Turns out, the distance separating the rest of the Eastern Conference from Detroit and Miami wasn't as wide as originally suspected. In fact, the Pistons had to stave off elimination with back-to-back wins against Cleveland.

Nevertheless, the East finals rematch of last year's seven-game slugfest, considered a forgone conclusion by many, has finally materialized. Miami vs. Detroit. Prince vs. Wade. Shaq vs. 'Sheed. And so on and so forth.

Most sports books are listing Detroit (72-22 straight up, 43-47 against the spread) as a 5 1/2-point favorite for Game 1. The Heat are plus 210 on the money line, while the total is 188.

Flip Saunders' team advanced by eliminating Milwaukee in five games before disposing of Cleveland in seven. The Pistons thumped the Cavs 79-61 in Game 7, taking the money as 8 1/2-point favorites. The low-scoring game resulted in an easy winner for 'under' backers.

Tayshaun Prince led four players in double figures with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Richard Hamilton added 15 points and Rasheed Wallace finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

While Detroit was busy dodging elimination against LeBron and Co., Miami (60-33 SU, 41-50 ATS) enjoyed a week off after sending the Nets home in five games. Pat Riley's team bounced back from a humiliating loss in Game 1 to win four consecutive games against New Jersey. The Heat covered the spread in each spot except for Game 5 when they captured a 106-105 win as 6 1/2-point home favorites.

Antoine Walker has been outstanding for Miami in the playoffs and his performance in Game 5 was the difference. The veteran out of Kentucky had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists to sink the Nets.

With contributions coming from everywhere, the Heat have been dominant since losing Games 3 and 4 at Chicago in the first round. In fact, they have won by double digits five times in their last seven games, posting a 6-1 SU record and 5-2 spread mark in the process.

Detroit won three of the four head-to-head meetings between these teams, but Miami did manage a 2-2 spread record. The Heat covered the number as 5 1/2-point 'dogs in a 106-101 loss at Detroit on Dec. 29.

Tip-off for Game 1 is slated for 8:00 p.m. Eastern tonight with ESPN providing television coverage in hi-definition.