INDIANAPOLIS, March 30 (UPI) -- Darren Collison ignited Indiana to a big lead Wednesday and the Pacers held on to down Detroit 111-101.
Indiana opened a 25-point advantage in the third period en route to a win that kept the Pacers alone in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Pacers have a one-game lead over Charlotte and a three-game cushion over Milwaukee in the battle for the conference's last playoff spot. Both Charlotte and Milwaukee picked up wins Wednesday.
Collison scored 20 points, Danny Granger had 17 and Josh McRoberts contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds. Mike Dunleavy returned after a 19-game absence due to a broken thumb and scored nine points in 19 minutes.
Detroit, which was all but eliminated from playoff contention, got 24 points from Rodney Stuckey and 19 from Richard Hamilton.
