Bomb threat delays start of Pistons-Pacers game

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- A telephoned threat that there was a bomb in Indiana's locker room delayed the start of the Pacers' 94-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons for 1 hour, 25 minutes Friday night.

Auburn Hills chief of police Doreen Olko said The Palace -- the site of the melee between the teams four months ago -- received a call about an hour before the scheduled start with a very specific threat that there was a bomb in the locker room.

The room was searched in the morning with dogs, and it was searched again later in the afternoon. At no point was anything found, and the building was not evacuated. Security was posted outside the door at all times after the initial search and during the rest of the day.

"Nothing was found," Olko said. "We are completely confident that the Pacers' locker room and that this entire building is safe. If not, we wouldn't be here.

"The game did not start on time because we had to make sure that everyone involved was at a comfort level that would allow them to start this game. That's what took so long."

Shortly before the scheduled 8:10 p.m. start, Palace officials told the fans that the game would be delayed "due to unforeseen circumstances." The arena was already nearly full.

The crowd cheered when the big overhead TV screens were tuned into the Michigan State-Duke NCAA Tournament game at about 8:30 p.m. The cheers turned to boos when the game, which Michigan State won, was turned off for the national anthem.

The Pacers went on and off their bus about three times, according to their driver, and once left the loading dock and drove to a far end of the parking lot. Olko said it was the team's decision to board the bus.

The Pistons had what they called "playoff-level security" in place for Indiana's first game at The Palace since the Nov. 19 brawl between the teams at the arena that spilled into the stands, and back onto the court.