Streaking Pistons Stopped by Pacers

The Indiana Pacers showed they are still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, keeping the Detroit Pistons from establishing two historical bests.

Jermaine O’Neal had 28 points and 15 rebounds to help the Pacers snap the Pistons’ 13-game winning streak with an 81-69 victory Tuesday night at Indianapolis.

The victory capped a stellar weeklong stretch for the Pacers against playoff-caliber teams, leaving the players thinking it might lead to something special.

“We are really developing into an amazing basketball team,” said center Scot Pollard, who contributed strong defense in 13 minutes.

The Pistons were trying for the longest winning streak in franchise history and the longest in the NBA this season. Instead, they were held to nine points in the first quarter and lost to their former coach, Rick Carlisle, for the third time this season.

“We had a long winning streak and it was great, but now it’s over,” Ben Wallace said. “Now we just have to start another one.”

Reggie Miller had 22 points in another strong performance for the Eastern Conference-leading Pacers, who have won five in a row and 12 of their last 13. That success has helped keep the Pistons from overtaking them in the Central Division.

Indiana extended its division lead to 3 1/2 games.

“We take satisfaction as one team that knocked them off course,” Miller said. “The thing I’m encouraged about is we’re beating upper-echelon teams at home and on the road.”

The Pacers have also beaten San Antonio and New Jersey in the last five nights.

Corliss Williamson led the Pistons with 17 points.

Portland 109, Sacramento 104 -- Derek Anderson scored all 12 of the Trail Blazers’ points in overtime as the league’s worst road team beat the league’s best home team in Sacramento.

Anderson finished with a season-high 29 points, and Rasheed Wallace had 26 points and a season-high 15 rebounds as Portland held on for its third road win in 19 games. Sacramento is 21-3 at home.

Brad Miller made a wide-open three-pointer with 2.7 seconds left in regulation, capping Sacramento’s 13-4 rally in the final 46 seconds to force overtime. But Portland took the lead for good on Anderson’s early three-pointer and hung on with his free throws and jumpers.

Peja Stojakovic had 34 points for the Kings, who also had a five-game winning streak ended.

Cleveland 99, Seattle 94 -- Carlos Boozer matched a career-high with 32 points and had 20 rebounds at Cleveland as the Cavaliers won without rookie LeBron James (sprained ankle).

Rashard Lewis had 27 points for Seattle.

Dallas 106, New Jersey 93 -- Antoine Walker had 19 of his 22 points in the second half at Dallas to help the Mavericks win their fifth in a row and beat the Nets for the seventh straight time. Ken- yon Martin, playing in his hometown, had a season-high 29 points and nine rebounds for New Jersey, which lost its third in a row.

Denver 96, Utah 75 -- Voshon Lenard had 17 points to help the Nuggets win in Salt Lake City for the first time since December 1995 and hand the Jazz its first three-game losing streak. Rookie Mo Williams led the Jazz with 20 points.

Boston 86, Miami 84 -- Paul Pierce had 29 points and the Celtics rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final 5 1/2 minutes at Miami to snap a four-game losing streak. Udonis Haslem had 18 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for Miami.

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New Orleans Hornet guard Baron Davis is doubtful for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of a sprained left ankle. Davis was injured in Monday’s loss at Minnesota.