NBA PLAYOFFS : Pistons Sweep Bucks Out of the Way

Detroit’s Joe Dumars never envisioned a sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

But he never doubted that the Pistons would win each game, not even Monday night when Detroit fell behind by 21 points to the injury-ravaged Bucks, who were down, 3-0, in games and had only eight players in uniform.

“They were playing seven or eight guys and we felt over the long haul we’d be a little fresh toward the end of the game,” Dumars said after scoring 22 points in the Pistons’ 96-94 victory.

Detroit fell behind by 21 with 7:33 left in the first half, cut it to 10 at the half and overtook the Bucks by outscoring them, 32-17, in the third quarter.

The Pistons survived a Milwaukee charge in the final two minutes to complete a four-game sweep.

“I wasn’t thinking we would sweep,” Dumars said. “I just thought we had a shot to win each game. But if you’d ask me if we’d sweep the Milwaukee Bucks before the series, I’d have said, ‘Probably not.’ ”

Detroit, 7-0 in the playoffs, will play either the Chicago Bulls or the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.

Isiah Thomas had 17 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, and Bill Laimbeer added 17 points.

The injury-plagued Bucks had to get permission from NBA President David Stern to play the game when an injury to Rickey Green left them with only eight players, one under the league minimum. The Bucks were also without starting forwards Terry Cummings and Larry Krystkowiak, and reserves Paul Mokeski and Paul Pressey.

But Fred Roberts scored 31 points and Ricky Pierce had 22, helping the Bucks build their lead.

Pierce’s two baskets brought Milwaukee to within 93-91 with 1:51 left. Dumars made two free throws and Jay Humphries made two for Milwaukee with 44 seconds left to make it 95-93.

Thomas made one of two free throws with eight seconds remaining, and Pierce made one and missed the second intentionally with two seconds left, but the Bucks couldn’t get the rebound.

The Pistons trailed, 45-24, with 7:33 left in the second quarter, cut the deficit to 54-44 at halftime and began the second half with a 25-9 run to take a 69-63 lead with 3:23 left in the third quarter.