Ugly brawl taints Pistons' loss in Central showdown
Knight Ridder Newspapers
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - (KRT) - All hell broke loose Friday night at the Palace.
A hard foul by Indiana's Ron Artest on Ben Wallace with 45.9 seconds left caused a melee that spiraled into a near riot in the Pacers' 97-82 victory over the Pistons.
After the foul, Wallace pushed Artest, and Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Tinsley eventually fought with fans in the stands.
"It's the ugliest thing I've seen as a coach or player," Pistons coach Larry Brown said.
After several minutes of fighting with fans in the stands, the Pacers were pelted with beer, ice and popcorn as they made their way to the locker room in one of the scariest brawls in NBA in history.
The game was called at that point, setting up an interesting rematch at Conseco Fieldhouse on Christmas Day.
"I felt like I was fighting for my life out there," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "I'm sorry the game had to end this way.
"I've been around 20 years and have never seen or been involved in something like that."
Pistons public relations director Matt Dobek said Pistons players would not comment after the game.
Friday's game was much-hyped before it started because the Pistons beat the Pacers in the Eastern Confernce finals last season. The two are expected to battle for the Central Division and conference titles again this season.
With 45.9 seconds left in the showdown, Artest fouled Wallace with his left hand without trying to block Wallace's shot. Artest then pushed Wallace as the play broke up.
Wallace took exception to Artest's foul and shoved the Pacers forward in the neck, causing a brawl that spilled over to the scorer's table. Wallace was restrained by coaches and players.
Artest lay on the scorer's table and put on a headset as the fight dissipated. He became enraged and jumped into the stands after a fan threw a drink that hit him.
Jackson and Tinsley joined Artest in the rumble with fans. Jermaine O'Neal was seen on tape hitting a fan_later identified as Charlie Haddad_in the face.
"That was the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life," Brown said. "I saw the foul. The guy never made an attempt for the ball. Up 15 points with 49 seconds to go; I don't know if that's something you expect. Ben didn't throw a punch, but unfortunately fans got involved. I've seen fights happen before, but the players and coaches and referees usually handle it. When it extends into the fans; that's pretty ugly. Indiana played great, they deserved to win; it shouldn't have ended like that.
"You'll see the foul. Ben didn't attempt to punch."
Brown encouraged the public address workers to get the fans to stop throwing items at the Pacers. But it was too late.
Auburn Hills deputy chief of police Jim Mynsberge said one person was taken to the hospital and there were many other injuries.
"The tape will be reviewed and there will be a full investigation," Mynsberge said. He added that police will also talk to players and fans to gather information.
Mike Ryan of Clarkston said Artest attacked him.
"He asked, `Did you do it? Did you do it?' I said no and he started pummeling me."
The Pacers used three-point shooting and 14 steals to give the Pistons their first loss of the season at home.
Artest scored 24 points and O'Neal had 20 points and 13 rebounds. Tinsley had 13 points, a career-high eight steals and eight assists.
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 20 points, Rasheed Wallace had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Ben Wallace had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
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© 2004, Detroit Free Press.