INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Jermaine O'Neal sank a jumper as time expired Saturday night to give the Indiana Pacers an 88-86 victory over the Detroit Pistons that did not become official until after the referees huddled to watch a replay and staged a debate before declaring the shot valid.
Detroit rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final 2:47 and tied it at 86-86 before the Pacers regained possession with 24.1 seconds left. Erick Strickland drove to the basket and passed out to O'Neal, who made a jumper from near the top of the key.
Under rules that went into effect this season, officials gathered to see whether O'Neal got off the shot in time. Television replays appeared to show O'Neal shooting with four-tenths of a second left, but the 24-second clock above the basket was not nearly as decisive and appeared to have expired.
As players and fans waited anxiously, referees Jess Kersey, Joe DeRosa and Courtney Kirkland discussed their options before finally calling in coaches Rick Carlisle of Detroit and Isiah Thomas of Indiana and declaring the game over.
The Pacers appeared to be in control after opening an 86-77 lead on a pair of free throws by Ron Artest with 2:47 left.
But the Pistons made a stunning rally on three-pointers by Jon Barry, Clifford Robinson and Chauncey Billups to tie it with 51 seconds left.
O'Neal turned over the ball with 36 seconds left, but the Pacers got it back and set up the shot by O'Neal, who scored 17 points.
Reggie Miller had 21 points and Artest and Brad Miller added 19 each for the Pacers, who improved to a league-best 18-1 at home. Their only loss at Conseco Fieldhouse this season was to Detroit on November 23.
Billups had 21 points and Richard Hamilton scored 16 for the Pistons, who will host the finale of the home-and-home series on Monday.
