Clearly November 19 is still fresh in the mind of at least some Detroit fans.

As the Indiana Pacers returned to The Palace of Auburn Hills to take on the Pistons in Detroit for the first time since the brawl, the team's preparation was interrupted as they were evacuated from their locker room.

Mark Montieth of the Indianapolis Star reports that Doreen E. Olko, Chief of Police of Auburn Hills, said a threat specific to the Pacers' locker room was phoned in to the arena's switchboard by an unknown person at 7:19 p.m., about 50 minutes before the scheduled tipoff.

The Pacers, however, said there were two threats and the team considered not playing the game.  The league, however, ordered the Pacers to take the court or forfeit the game.

NBA executive Stu Jackson told Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh in a telephone conversation that the arena was safe and that the game had to be played.

"I told (Pacers coach Rick) Carlisle that the NBA had confirmed the arena was secure," said Walsh, who was home in Indianapolis. "I told Rick, 'Go out and play the game.' "

Olko said the locker room had been searched in the morning and again in the afternoon, and that the room had been guarded by security personnel throughout the day.

"We are completely confident that the Pacers' locker room and this entire building is safe," Olko said at a news conference as the game tipped off. "If not, we wouldn't be here."

Reggie Miller, who unless the Pistons and Pacers meet in the playoffs, played his last game at the Palace was clearly annoyed with the events.

"It's unfortunate, because nothing's ever happened to the Pistons or the Palace," Miller said. "It's almost like it's always our fault. The league knows it, and the league ought to be ashamed of themselves for security to be as lax as it is around here."

"We're always going to get the brunt of it, especially this year. (NBA commissioner) David Stern has to look in the mirror every morning when he wakes up (and face) the way he penalized us and the way he penalized the Pistons."

Once the game got started the night still was without incident.  During the last quarter security personnel rushed into the stands to break up a fight between fans about 30 rows up. One man was carried out by his wrists and ankles.

"Welcome to Detroit!" one fan shouted.  

For the record the Pacers won the game 94-81.