NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Dwyane Wade's fourth quarter heroics inspired the Miami Heat to an 89-78 win over the Detroit Pistons and a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference final series on Monday.

The Heat shot a scorching 55 percent from the floor and will reach its first NBA Finals with victory in Game Five today in Detroit.

Wade took over in the final quarter, scoring 12 of his 31 points, and Miami coach Pat Riley said his performance had been the decisive factor.

"He's playing extremely well right now and we need every bit of his talent. He's special," Riley told reporters.

Shaquille O'Neal added 21 points and hauled down nine rebounds for the Heat, who trailed the Pistons briefly in the third quarter after leading by 14 points early in the game.

Wade said his team stepped up when it counted most, especially after the Pistons went ahead 57-53.

"We came out very flat in the third, everybody, and they came out very aggressive," Wade told reporters. "But we fought back at the end of the third, took a two-point lead, and took it from there." Wade added that the Heat would be taking nothing for granted.