Prince's block boosts Pistons
He stuffs Miller and sinks Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS -- In a fitting finish, the play of the game was a defensive one.
Tayshaun Prince sprinted downcourt to block a breakaway layup by Reggie Miller that would have tied the game, and the Detroit Pistons put on another dominant display of defense last night to defeat the Indiana Pacers, 72-67.
"In that situation, a 2-point game, I've just got to make a play on the ball," Prince said. "Before I got there, I knew it was going to be a tough play, but once I put my hand on the ball it was a good block.
"He slowed up just a little bit at the last second and gave me time to get there."
The block was the 19th of the game for the Pistons, one shy of the NBA playoff record set by Philadelphia in 1981.
Richard Hamilton scored 13 of the Pistons' final 15 points, finishing with 23, and Detroit evened the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece heading into Game 3 tomorrow night at Auburn Hills, Mich.
Miller made four straight free throws to cut a 6-point deficit to 69-67, and it appeared he was about to tie it after Jermaine O'Neal blocked a dunk attempt by Rasheed Wallace, and Jamaal Tinsley stole the ball from Chauncey Billups to start a breakaway.
Miller caught a pass well ahead of the field and went in for the layup, only to have Prince make a perfectly timed leap to swat the ball away. Prince landed several rows deep in the stands, and it took him a minute to get up. After he did, Hamilton made two free throws for a 4-point lead with 14.6 seconds remaining.
The loss was the Pacers' first at home since March 19, snapping a streak of 14 consecutive victories at Conseco Fieldhouse. Rasheed Wallace, who had guaranteed a victory for the Pistons, shot just 4 for 19 and scored 10 points but made his biggest contribution at the other end, blocking 5 shots and grabbing 8 defensive rebounds. Miller scored 21 points and O'Neal had 16 to lead Indiana, which shot only 27.5 percent and was held to three field goals in the fourth quarter. 