A Tale of Two Cities

Miami. Detroit.

Rivalry?

Both teams have some pretty good recent history, and at the expense of one another. The Heat came onto the scene noveau riche back in 2005-2006 as they were starting their run on the heels of the Shaq trade. The Pistons, then, were the established power in the East sporting a world championship and the backing of the media. Hailed as the ultimate team with championship poise, the Heat were not expected to knock off the juggernaut, but the Heat were too busy forming themselves into the new kids with dreams of granduer.

And they would have, arguably, if not for a key injury to Wade and the lingering effects of bruised thighs slowing Shaq down.

Detroit escaped Miami, and went on to the Finals.

Flash forward to last season, where the Heat and Pistons once again squared off for the second straight season in the Eastern Conference Finals. The anticipated playoff showdown showed fireworks, but mostly those of the Heat which took the series in 6 games. Revenge was served and the Heat went on to win their first title.

A lot has changed since then. Ben Wallace left for Chicago and was replaced by Nazr Mohammed. Well, that latter part didn't happen, but instead the Pistons fished for a familiar name, and grabbed Chris Webber off the trash heap, as he was released by the Sixers to go their seperate ways. Webber actually was considering Miami at the time, along with the Lakers, but opted for Detroit as the potential for more playing time in his home town was just too strong to resist.

Detroit has remained on top of the East and has kept up their part of the bargain. Most of the season, however, they have had the good fortune of being a healthy team and with that nucleus that knows how to play together, they have the chemistry that would make a Stanford lab technician envious.

Miami, on the other hand has been up and down to say the least. With more drama packed in this season than every season of CSI Miami and Miami Vice combined, it has been hard for the Heat to gain a grip of where they need to be - in the top spot of their division, let alone in the East. Injuries, coaching changes, a lack of effort, too much championship hangover -- whatever the reason, the Heat have struggled and are now trying to get it together while losing Dwyane Wade, arguably one of the best players in the league and the most vital piece to the Heat's attack.

Yet, this veteran championship team is not ready to lie down and die. They have too much soul, too much experience, too much pride. They also added another old face, Eddie Jones, who was a part of that Heat team that lost in the ECF to the Pistons.

This will be EJ's first game against the Pistons as a member of the Heat since that defeat -- and maybe he will be seeking to avenge himself for that series.

All of it comes to a head tonight. In Miami, at the scene of the crime. A tale of two cities -- how Detroit has reclaimed its mantle as the best of the East while Miami has faltered and is looking to dust themselves off again and get back in the race.

All of it happens tonight. Will Miami rise again with a new brand of stingy defense and a power game? Or will Detroit keep its pace with a more wide-opened offensive attack?

We will know a bit more about both teams after tonight's game. If the Heat are going to challenge again for a playoff push, this is a good game to make a statement. For the Pistons, there is not much more to be gained than a tough road win.