Celtics Win in Six Games as Wedman Takes Charge

Scott Wedman scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half as the Boston Celtics beat the Detroit Pistons, 123-113, Friday night to wrap up their National Basketball Assn. quarterfinal playoff series in six games.

The defending NBA champions will take on the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference final, starting Sunday at Boston.

“Sitting on the bench, I realized that we needed a lift,” Wedman said. “I just try to stay ready when I’m called to play. I’m happy, but we can’t celebrate. We need a rest and we have a few guys banged up.”

Robert Parish, who scored 14 points in the second half, was high for Boston with 24 points, but it was the unheralded Wedman who played the key role in the game before 21,193 fans at Joe Louis Arena.

Wedman got the call because Larry Bird, who scored 17 points, was having a rare off-night.

“We gave Scott the game ball today,” Boston Coach K.C. Jones said. “Larry had a difficult time and missed the ocean on his shots, so I took Larry out and put Scott in.

“He responded and did exactly what we were looking for--he gave us the points we needed. Larry’s elbow seems to hurt more than he’s letting it be known.”

Dennis Johnson, who scored 22 points, hit the game’s first basket, and the Celtics never trailed.

“They find a way to win,” Detroit Coach Chuck Daly said. “We’d get close, and they’d make a crucial play or we’d make a turnover. We didn’t shoot well, but give them credit.”

The best run the Pistons could make in the second half came when they closed within two at 71-69 on Isiah Thomas’ layup over Parish. The Celtic defense stiffened, and Boston led, 92-86, as the final period began.

The Boston defense blocked seven shots--Bird blocked three of them--and was responsible for the Pistons shooting only 45.9%. The Celtics also pestered the Pistons into 19 turnovers.

Thomas scored 22 of his game-high 37 points in the second half for the Pistons, 10 from the free-throw line.