AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – Rasheed Wallace made another loud statement, only this time he did it during the game instead of before or after it.

Playing his best offensive game in a month, Wallace scored 20 points Wednesday night and left to a standing ovation as the Detroit Pistons controlled the game with their defense and defeated the Indiana Pacers 85-78.

The victory gave the Pistons a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals. Game 4 is Friday night.

Wallace has been the most bombastic character in a series in need of some spunk given the offensive ineptitude both teams have shown for long – excruciatingly long, some might say – stretches.

After guaranteeing a Game 2 victory, he rubbed it in with an expletive-filled rant directed at Pacers fans as he walked off the court following the Pistons’ win.

Wallace had scored a total of 14 points in the first two games while missing 21 of 26 shots, but his offensive woes disappeared at the arena he has called home since mid-February.

He shot 8-for-15 to share team-high scoring honors with Richard Hamilton, who reached 20 points for the 25th time in 32 career playoff games.

“We have a bigger goal … that’s to win the NBA championship,” Wallace said.

AP-ES-05-26-04 2341EDT