Heat's Whiteside remains out with hand injury

Clinging on to one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat will once again be without starting center Hassan Whiteside on Sunday against the Detroit Pistons. 

Whiteside has been ruled out for the third consecutive game as he recovers from a hand laceration that required 10 stitches. Miami, seventh in the East, has gone 1-1 without him. 

The big man, who's still experiencing discomfort in the hand, tried to go through workouts with a protective brace, but it was ineffective. 

Whiteside has blossomed into a force since entering the Heat's starting unit, averaging 13 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks while shooting 59.4 percent from the field over his last 27 games. 

All-Star Dwyane Wade, who had fluid drained from his sore left knee Saturday, will suit up for the contest. He was originally a game-time call. 

Chris Andersen, meanwhile, is also out for the Heat. He'll miss his third straight game with a calf injury.