NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES : Inside or Out, Dumars Leaves Defense Nowhere to Turn

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. —  Guard Joe Dumars of the Detroit Pistons beat defender Michael Cooper of the Lakers on a drive, arching in a shot high off the glass in the NBA Finals Thursday night at the Palace.

After taking a pass on the Pistons’ next possession, Dumars lofted a jump shot that swished into the net.

Cooper just shook his head.

“Dumars did everything it took for his ballclub to win the game,” Cooper said. “He’s an excellent player who can hit from the perimeter and can score on the drive.”

Dumars said he felt as he if couldn’t miss.

Dumars didn’t miss much, scoring 33 points, including 26 in the first half, as the Pistons defeated the Lakers, 108-105, to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“Dumars had it going,” Laker Coach Pat Riley said. “He was in a zone where he was shooting it and driving it. He’s simply a great basketball player.”

Dumars, whose corner of the locker room is the Pistons’ quiet area, had his privacy invaded by reporters, who surrounded him after the game.

“I’m going to take that game home with me and tuck it away and sleep with it,” Dumars said. “I’ve had a few games like that, but this was the best game I’ve ever had in a big game.”

Guard Vinnie Johnson saw the horde of reporters surrounding Dumars and said: “Broadway Joe! You were on fire tonight.”

Piston forward John Salley had another nickname for Dumars. “Joe’s the silent killer,” Salley said. “He doesn’t talk much, but he kills you.”

Dumars helped silence the Lakers by making 10 of 16 shots from the floor and 13 of 14 free throws.

Dumars was forced to assume more responsibility in the Pistons’ offense when guard Isiah Thomas got into foul trouble, drawing his second personal 2 1/2 minutes into the first period.

Dumars scored 11 points in the first quarter and added 15 in the second quarter to keep the Pistons within six points, 62-56, at halftime.

“He won the game for us,” Thomas said of Dumars. “I got into foul trouble early, and Joe came in and showed what type of basketball player he is. I’m glad the game was on national TV and he was able to show the nation how good he is.

“He scored that 26 points in the first half and that’s more than some people score in a whole game.”

But Dumars wasn’t the only Piston guard who had a big game.

Johnson, the Pistons’ designated shooter, scored 19 points, including 12 in the first half.

“Our guards get us going,” Johnson said. “It up to the guards to create things.”

After the Lakers went to a half-court trap to stop Dumars, Thomas scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half.

Thomas looked as if he had been in a war after the game. There was a cut above his left eye and a gash on his left knee. His jersey was covered with blood, and his right thigh was wrapped.

“It feels like I’ve been in a war,” Thomas said. “Trying to win the NBA championship is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to do. It’s a more difficult learning process.”

It wasn’t made any easier by nagging injuries to forward Dennis Rodman, who spent part of the game lying on his stomach to protect a sore back, and center Bill Laimbeer, who has been bothered by pain in his arm.