Scott Audette / Reuters

Miami coach Pat Riley holds the Eastern Conference trophy after the Heat defeated the Pistons 95-78 on Friday to win the series 4-2 and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time. Riley is taking his third team to the NBA Finals.

James Posey, who came from Memphis with Williams in the big trade, had 11 rebounds and helped in the sound Heat defensive effort that held the Pistons to 33.3 percent shooting. Antoine Walker had 11 points, more than any Pistons but Richard Hamilton. Gary Payton added six in helping hold MVP candidate Chauncey Billups to three of 14 shooting.

Riley couldn't have scripted it better.

Though this wasn't quite the same Pistons team that had been to consecutive NBA Finals, a team that was worn thin by the length and intensity of its run. Finishing up Friday, it was a full season added in playoff games the last four years, 14 elimination games in which they were 11-3. The shots didn't fall anymore. The defensive ferocity was worn away.

"It's an emotional strain of knowing all the big games you've had to get up for and to play and it can constantly wear on you," said Saunders. "You look at a lot of teams don't have the ability to go to four (straight) conference finals. It doesn't happen a lot because of the wear and tear mentally, physically."

Feuding with their coach, questioning everyone else, it wasn't there anymore for the Pistons after having to come back from trailing 3-2 to Cleveland just to get to the Heat.

"Miami played a great series," said Richard Hamilton. "Every angle, every position, they played great. There were times we'd make our run and they'd make their run. I give credit to them."

And so we must to Pat Riley.

The final score determines success in sports. For the last few years, the model in the NBA was a starless one, the gears of teamwork meshing for the Pistons, five men working as one. And so now it's the two-star formula, back to Magic and Kareem, Bird and McHale, Michael and Scottie, Shaq and Wade.

And Riley supplying the moving parts.

"Ever since Shaquille O'Neal showed on the scene, this team has been a legitimate contender," said Riley. "And we have put pieces around him."

Pieces that fit better than most imagined. Riley now has four games, for the first Heat championship in franchise history, to demonstrate his ultimate vision.

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