Hamilton scores 40, Pistons take series

The Pistons will face the winner of the Cleveland-Washington series.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Richard Hamilton played like he desperately wanted a break.
The guard with the face mask had a playoff-career high 40 points Wednesday night and the Detroit Pistons tied a franchise-playoff scoring record in the first quarter in a 122-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5.
Rasheed Wallace scored 22 points and keyed an 18-2 run after halftime for the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, who won the best-of-seven series and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
Detroit will play the winner of the Cleveland-Washington series.
The Pistons will take a day off and have at least a couple of practices before resuming their goal of winning a second title in three years.
Wanted to rest
"We really wanted to take care of business at home," Hamilton said. "It was important for us to get some rest, and watch the other teams beat each other up."
Hamilton was determined to find his rhythm against Milwaukee after being held to 16.8 points -- more than four below his career playoff average -- on 34.5 percent shooting while playing with a sprained ankle and thigh bruise.
Detroit's strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander told Hamilton that he wasn't going to put a pad on his leg or extra tape on his ankle.
"He didn't want me restrained," Hamilton said. "That gave me all kinds of confidence to do what I usually do."
Michael Redd of the Bucks scored just two points while Detroit pulled away with a dominating opening quarter in which they scored 39 points. Redd finished with 23.
"In the second quarter, when we were dead in the water, he did everything he could," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said.
Detroit coach Flip Saunders, in his first season with the Pistons, said before the game he would take advantage of any and all mismatches against Milwaukee.
Saunders had a lot of choices.
Hamilton responds
The Pistons clearly made an effort to get Hamilton involved early -- as T.J. Ford attempted to defend him -- and the shooting guard responded.
When the Bucks left Ford alone on Hamilton, he simply rose over the shorter guard for open jumpers. When Milwaukee tried to give Ford help, Hamilton found open teammates and they made shots.
Wallace made a 3-pointer -- off Hamilton's assist -- to put the Pistons ahead for good midway through the first quarter. Those points were the first of 11 straight for Detroit, and sparked a 21-2 run that provided a cushion large enough to let the Pistons coast to the victory.
Hamilton had 15 points in the first quarter, putting the Pistons ahead 39-23.
Detroit had four starters with at least 11 points in the first half while Redd was the only Buck in double figures at halftime as they trailed 62-49.
Pistons take big lead
Hamilton scored the first basket of the second half -- giving him 26 points -- and after a Milwaukee basket, Wallace made three straight 3-pointers during a burst that put the Pistons ahead 80-51 midway through the third quarter.
Hamilton had 40 points entering the fourth, and Milwaukee's starters combined for 51 as the Pistons led 97-66.
Chauncey Billups had 17 points and eight assists and Tayshaun Prince added 12 points for the Pistons to help them finish with their highest total in the playoffs since scoring 145 against Boston in the 1987.
"Offensively, they've gotten better, there's no doubt," Redd said. "They're pushing it more than in the past three or four years, when they were more of a half-court style team. Now, they make you pay for mistakes.
"But their defense is going to win a championship for them."
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