The Pistons plan to make the visitors dressing room at the Palace the safest place on Earth during this second-round series.
Team security honcho Jerry Hendon said Sunday that surveillance cameras will monitor the area around the dressing room nonstop, and there will be security guards present outside the room the entire day in preparation for Monday's Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers.
The last time the teams met at the Palace, March 25, the game was delayed 90 minutes by multiple bomb threats. That game came 18 weeks after a fan threw a cup at Ron Artest, at which point Artest went into the stands and a mass brawl ensued.
Hendon also plans to speak directly to Pacers security members to address any concerns they might have.
"We will do whatever we can to work with them," Hendon said. "We're here for the same reason they are, and that's to have a good series. I think everybody is pretty much tired of talking about the brawl, of hearing about it."
Hendon said no extra steps would be taken around the visitors bench on the court, but that's only because no more steps are possible. Auburn Hills police officers, NBA security personnel and team security personnel already patrol the area.
On top of everything else, the Pistons pretty much have a security force in the form of fans. It was fans who pointed out the coin tosser in the Quartergate incident involving Philadelphia's Allen Iverson in Game 2 of the first round, and that, too, should help deter any more incidents.
"I think the fans have pretty much learned that if you do anything boneheaded there is a price to be paid and you're subject to be prosecuted," Hendon said.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Sunday he had no concerns.
"I'm sure the Palace will be screened and re-screened," he said. "I don't anticipate any problems. Really, I believe that both teams are so far beyond what happened in November that it's going to be only about basketball. We have far greater concerns about how good Detroit is and how we're going to be able to play effectively against them."
