NEW YORK, 26 May 2004 — Richard Hamilton had 23 points and eight rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 72-67 road win over the Indiana Pacers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals on Monday.
The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1, with the series now moving to Auburn Hills, Michigan for Games Three and Four today and Friday night.
Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace had boldly guaranteed a win in Game Two after the Pistons were heavily beaten in the series opener and his 10 points and seven rebounds went some way to helping fulfill the predictions.
Thanks to a suffocating defense, the Pistons delivered on Wallace’s promise despite scoring just 12 points in the opening quarter and trailing by six points at the half.
“I just thought our defense, especially the interior, was just unbelievable,” Detroit coach Larry Brown said.
“Our defense was just great tonight and we made some big plays down the stretch.”
Indiana had a chance to tie the game on a lay-up by Reggie Miller with less than 15 seconds left, but a spectacular block by Tayshaun Prince stopped the shot.
“It was a good thing I got there,” said Prince, who sailed into the crowd after blocking the shot.
“It feels good to get this win.”
Prince’s block was the 19th of the game by the Pistons, just one off the NBA playoff record set by Philadelphia in 1981.
Corliss Williamson added nine points for the Pistons, who held the Pacers to just 24 points in the second half.
“Our shot-making wasn’t there,” Indiana coach Rick Carlise said.
“We’re in a tough spot, but we’re going to stick together and go in there and find a way to win a game and get home court back.”
Reggie Miller led Indiana with 21 points and six rebounds, while Jermaine O’Neal was held to just 16 points and eight rebounds.
Ron Artest had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers before fouling out.
Hamilton said Wallace’s boast helped motivate the team.
“We’re all in this locker room together to win,” Hamilton said.
“We think we have the best fans in the world in Detroit and it was huge for us to come in here and get a win.”
Malone Fined, Escapes Suspension for Flagrant Foul
Los Angeles Lakers power forward Karl Malone was fined $7,500 by the NBA for the flagrant foul he committed Sunday in the Western Conference finals.
Malone ran through Minnesota guard Darrick Martin, who was trying to set a pick, with 2:31 remaining in Los Angeles’ 89-71 loss in game two of the best-of-seven playoff series.
He immediately was ejected for hitting Martin but he escaped a suspension from the league’s disciplinarian committee.
“I ran through the pick,” Malone said Sunday. “I didn’t try to go around it. I tried to run through the pick.”
“They were setting back picks all night for (Kevin) Garnett, and I guess Karl just got tired of that and Karl just got mad,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Sunday.
“It wasn’t malicious, but Karl did it and now he has to suffer the consequences.”
Sunday’s game featured eight technical fouls, including five by Los Angeles.
