Pistons Beat Pacers to the Punch Line

Detroit’s Corliss Williamson won twice Tuesday night against Indiana--on the scoreboard and in his skirmish with Jermaine O’Neal.

Williamson scored 23 points before he was ejected near the end, leading the Pistons to a 96-77 victory over the Pacers.

The Pistons were cruising late in the game when Williamson drove the baseline and was fouled hard by O’Neal. Williamson bounced the ball off O’Neal’s back and the two stood on the baseline jawing before O’Neal made the first move. He threw an elbow as Williamson backed away. Several players stepped in to separate them, and O’Neal threw a punch that didn’t land before he was wrapped up by Pacer assistant Tree Rollins.

Both players were ejected.

“I don’t know the reason for that kind of foul,” Williamson said. “My reaction was the ball slipped out of my hand. Our team is like a family. If you pick on one of us, you pick on all of us. We are always there to pick each other up.”

Williamson, who was nine for 13 from the floor and five for six on free throws, received plenty of support.

Chucky Atkins, who made three consecutive three-point baskets in the third quarter to spark a 13-0 run that gave the Pistons a 15-point cushion, finished with 18 points. Clifford Robinson scored 13 points and Jerry Stackhouse had 12 for Central Division-leading Detroit. Ben Wallace had 14 rebounds.

Piston Coach Rick Carlisle was angered by O’Neal’s conduct.

“From my understanding, he [Williamson] will not get suspended,” Carlisle said. “I can’t speak for O’Neal, but that was one of the worst cheap shots I’ve ever seen.”

Brad Miller, who scored eight points in the first quarter, had 18 points and 15 rebounds for Indiana, which holds the final playoff spot in the East.

Reggie Miller and Ron Mercer each scored 15 points for the Pacers. O’Neal, who had 11, departed before the locker room was open to reporters.

Pacer Coach Isiah Thomas was surprised by O’Neal’s outburst and disappointed with his team’s effort.

“That’s something he hasn’t shown,” Thomas said. “I think it was frustration. I think the emotions just spilled over.”