Pistons Make End Nearer for Pacers

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. —  The Detroit Pistons played like champions with swarming defense and unselfish offense.

Ben Wallace had 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead Detroit to an 86-67 victory Tuesday night over the Indiana Pacers, and a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Pistons can clinch the series Thursday in Indianapolis.

The Pistons held Indiana without a field goal for a stretch of 10:39 -- including the first 6:26 of the second half -- turning a tie game into a 22-point advantage. The 30-4 run by Detroit over the second and third quarters turned the game into a rout.

“I think it’s probably one of our best performances,” Wallace said. “When we play like that, we’re a tough team to beat.”

Indiana Coach Rick Carlisle used all four of his second-half timeouts in the third quarter, trying to slow down the Pistons, leading to an odd moment.

League rules require that each team calls a timeout in the fourth quarter, but because Carlisle didn’t have any left, the Pacers were called for a technical foul with 2:17 left.

Jermaine O’Neal had 14 points for the Pacers. Reggie Miller was held to eight points -- his third single-digit scoring game of the series -- and Jamaal Tinsley scored only two. Tayshaun Prince added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons.

“We’re disappointed, but not distraught,” Carlisle said. “We know what we have to do. We faced an elimination game less than two weeks ago [at Boston] and our guys fought and won a Game 7 on the road.”