Pacers Enjoy Seventh Heaven

Jermaine O’Neal broke into a smile when asked about returning to the scene of the ugly brawl that nearly ruined the Indiana Pacers’ season.

“It’s only right,” he said. “It’s what I wanted. I wanted to see that team, and I’m pretty sure Detroit is wanting to see us too.”

He got his wish Saturday night when the Pacers beat the Boston Celtics, 97-70, in Game 7 of their first-round series and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals against Detroit.

The rout was so complete that Boston Coach Doc Rivers began clearing his bench with 4:32 left.

Now the team that has overcome suspensions and injuries will get a rematch beginning Monday with the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich., the site of the Nov. 19 brawl.

“Everything we’ve been through this year was nothing but fuel for us,” said Stephen Jackson, who had a game-high 24 points. “It makes us want to win more and play harder.”

The Celtics played very poorly in a big game, missing easy shots and letting Indiana take uncontested ones, and had the second-lowest point total in their playoff history.

They also lost three home games for the first time in a seven-game series.

“In Game 7, for us to go out and play the way we did is disappointing,” Boston’s Paul Pierce said.

The Celtics were led by Antoine Walker with 20 points and Pierce with 19, but both were out of the game with 4:20 left and Indiana ahead, 86-62. The Celtics also struggled with their composure again, finishing with six technical fouls.

“They kept playing and we stopped to take a look” in the second half, Rivers said. “We hung our heads way too early in the game.”