INDIANAPOLIS -- Isiah Thomas scored 23 points and defending NBA champion Detroit advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs, eliminating Indiana with a 108-96 triumph Tuesday night.
Detroit swept the best-of-five opening round series, winning its fifth straight post-season series and its fourth in that string without losing a game. Indiana became the first team eliminated from the playoffs, losing its eighth playoff game in nine tries.
The Pacers came no closer than 7 points in the second half until Reggie Miller and Detlef Schrempf sparked a 10-2 run, pulling Indiana within 92-87 with 7:18 to play. Miller and Schrempf each sank four free throws in the spurt, with Miller adding a driving layup.
But the Pistons went to Dennis Rodman in Bill Laimbeer in the stretch. Each scored 6 points in a 12-4 run that sealed Detroit's victory. Laimbeer finished with 12 points and 19 rebounds, all in the first three quarters. Rodman finished with 10 points, and seven Pistons reached double-figure scoring.
Miller led Indiana with 22 points while Schrempf added 20. John Salley added 17 for the Pistons.
Detroit scored 8 straight points in the final 42 seconds of the second period to take their largest first-half lead, 54-45, at halftime. Joe Dumars scored 4 points in the spurt while Thomas made two steals.
Indiana rallied to cut its deficit to 46-45 with 1:29 remaining in the first half on a give-and-go basket by Miller. The Pacers missed seven straight shots in the second quarter and went 6:09 without scoring from the field. Detroit missed six of seven during a similar cold stretch, but Salley scored 12 points in the period and ignited the Pistons.
Laimbeer sank a 16-foot jump shot 7:57 into the game to give Detroit its first lead at 18-17, concluding a run of 8 straight Detroit points. Laimbeer pulled down 9 of his 12 first-half rebounds in the opening quarter and Thomas scored 10 first-period points, including an 18-foot jump shot at the buzzer that put the Pistons on top 26-23.
Rodman and Schrempf each received technical fouls 61 seconds into the game after a rebound battle. Physical play dominated the game, but no other technicals were whistled.
