By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Ben Wallace turned out to be the center with real superpowers.

The Pistons' undersized big man had the game of his life in Detroit's championship-clinching victory Tuesday night, getting 18 points and 22 rebounds in a 100-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wallace is best known for his incredible athletic skills and skyscraping hairstyle, but the two-time defensive player of the year might have done the best work of his career against Shaquille O'Neal.

Wallace held the self-styled Superman to 26.6 points per game in the finals - no small feat, given O'Neal's 36-point average in finals entering the series.

And when the Lakers faced elimination, Big Ben was much better.

Wallace was a whirlwind of energy from the opening tip, frustrating O'Neal into picking up two fouls 18 seconds apart in the first quarter. He hit big shots from inside and outside as the Pistons took a 10-point lead into halftime.

And he dominated the second half, grabbing 17 rebounds in 21 minutes and patrolling the lane with menace. He also threw down two rebound dunks, both inspiring the crowd to deafening cheers.

Wallace could have played all night, it seemed. But coach Larry Brown removed him with 2:56 to play, earning one more standing ovation. When the game ended, Wallace grabbed Pistons owner Bill Davidson in a hug that nearly lifted him off the ground.

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BROWN'S BOOSTERS: Larry Brown has impressed the only two basketball coaches in Michigan more beloved than him.

Former Pistons coach Chuck Daly and Michigan State's Tom Izzo were regulars at The Palace during Detroit's run to Brown's first championship.

The Pistons soon will hang their first title banner since Daly's second straight win in 1990. Izzo's Spartans have been the most successful team in the state in recent years, winning the 2000 NCAA title.

Daly, who went 467-271 during nine straight winning seasons from 1983-92, still gets enthusiastic ovations at The Palace - even while walking in from the parking lot before the game.

"How could you not enjoy what these guys are doing out here?" Daly asked. "I'm just enjoying it along with the rest of Michigan and the country. Coach Brown does a great job playing to his team's strengths, so I recognize that part of their game as something we also tried to do."

Izzo attended the first two games of the finals with Lions coach Steve Mariucci, a childhood friend from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He led Michigan State to three Final Four appearances from 1999-2001, and the Spartans are expected to be a national championship contender again this season.

"Watching the Pistons in the playoffs up close has re-energized my belief that you can win with team basketball," Izzo said.

Izzo has attracted the interest of the Toronto Raptors, who would consider him to be their next coach. He declined comment on the Raptors' overtures.

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JACK'S BACK: After several days of false sightings by star-struck fans and Michigan reporters, Lakers superfan Jack Nicholson attended Game 5.

Nicholson has been the most visible star in the Lakers' galaxy since the 1970s, but the 67-year-old actor rarely travels to road games these days. He made an exception for the most disappointing day of the Lakers' mini-dynasty against the Pistons.

Nicholson sat near the court, wearing a white Lakers hat and grinning at hecklers. In the third quarter, the Jumbotron alternated shots of Nicholson and Pistons mainstay Kid Rock.

Needless to say, the crowd booed Jack and cheered the Kid.

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STERN TALK: Commissioner David Stern took issue with Larry Bird's recent declaration the NBA needs more white superstars to appeal to a larger fan base. Magic Johnson agreed with Bird's declaration earlier this week, saying more fans will be intrigued by racial aspects of the game.

But the league set attendance records this season, and television ratings for the finals are healthy.

"Larry is just flat-out wrong," Stern said at halftime of Game 5.

Stern also said Michael Jordan remains interested in owning an NBA franchise.

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GRANHOLM GRANDSTANDS: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm showed her support for the home team by wearing a Pistons T-shirt under a blazer for a Tuesday morning news conference.

"The Pistons are going to take it," she said. "The L.A. Lakers are a one-man show, one-and-a-half maybe if you count Kobe (Bryant). They're going to be shut down."

Granholm grew up in California and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley. She cheered on the Pistons at The Palace on Tuesday night.

Granholm expects to collect on a bet with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is required to dine on Michigan-made foods including a warm, baked pastry filled with meat, potatoes and vegetables. He'll get chocolate-covered cherries for dessert, washed down with Vernor's ginger ale.

The Governator will eat the meal at his desk wearing a Pistons jersey.

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TIP THEFT: For the first time in the series, O'Neal didn't steal the opening tip from the Pistons in Game 5.

O'Neal tipped the ball before it reached its apex in each of the first four games, resulting in a jump-ball violation that gave the first possession to Detroit.

The Lakers thought the calls were league-mandated.

"I think he's jumping the same time Ben (Wallace) is jumping," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before the game. "Once in a while, the NBA goes into some kind of funk and the message circulates around to all of the referees that they are going to make sure (something) happens.

"So jump balls become an issue of something they want to hold the line. I'd like to see them hold the line on carrying the ball and traveling and the other things we like to see handled, as well."