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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

With Wade missing, Heat had little fire


Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade wasn't able to go for Game 6. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Dwyane Wade was replaced by Rasual Butler in Miami’s starting lineup and the dropoff was as severe as expected.

Wade, the star of the Heat’s run to the conference finals, was not in uniform for Game 6 on Saturday night because of a rib muscle injury.

Butler put together a solid performance by scoring 13 points – tripling his postseason average – but the Heat missed Wade badly in a 91-66 setback to the Detroit Pistons.

“With him not being in the lineup, we didn’t want to underestimate them,” said Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, who scored 24 points.

Game 7 is Monday night in Miami.

Butler started slowly, scoring just two points in the first quarter. He made 3 of 4 shots in the second quarter, giving him nine at halftime. Butler was scoreless in the third quarter and with the game out of reach, he scored four in the fourth.

The shooting guard made 5 of 11 shots, including two 3-pointers, 1 of 2 free throws and had two rebounds and two assists in 41 minutes.