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Saturday, April 29, 2000
Detroit Pistons
can’t stand the
Heat at home
Miami goes to Auburn Hills
By Harry Atkins
to beat Detroit and sweep
best-of-five series
Associated PressAUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- It was understood, that with Detroit's Grant Hill out with a broken ankle, one of the reserves would have to step up. And that's exactly what happened -- but not for Hill's team.
Clarence Weatherspoon scored seven of his 18 points in the third quarter as the Miami Heat built an 18-point lead and went on to beat Detroit, 91-72, sweeping the Pistons in their best-of-five first-round series.
The Heat will meet the winner of the New York Knicks-Toronto Raptors series in an Eastern Conference second-round matchup.
Jamal Mashburn and Alonzo Mourning, each of whom scored over 20 points in the first two games, finished with 11 and 12 points respectively.
Jerry Stackhouse tried his best to carry the Pistons, who haven't won a playoff series since 1991. He scored 25 points, but the rest of the Detroit offense, which averaged 103.5 points per game during the regular season, just couldn't seem to function without Hill.
Michael Curry scored 14 points starting in place of Hill, who broke his left ankle in the second game.
Miami led by five at the half and put the game away with a punishing defense and timely scoring in the third quarter.
A basket by Stackhouse pulled Detroit to within 62-52 with 2:38 left in the third, but the Pistons went scoreless the remainder of the quarter.
Anthony Carter had nine assists for the Heat who were playing again without Tim Hardaway, who is recovering from a sprained left foot.
TODAY'S GAMES
Miami 91, Detroit 72
TOMORROW'S GAMES
