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Pistons Oust Magic, Advance to East Finals

By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2008 10:53 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Detroit Pistons made just enough shots and stops to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for a sixth straight year. Richard Hamilton scored 19 of his 31 points in the first half, made victory-sealing free throws late in the game and Tayshaun Prince had a key block, helping Detroit hold off the Orlando Magic for a 91-86 win Tuesday night in Game 5 of the second-round series.

"Playing in six straight is awesome, but now we expect to do this," Hamilton said. "We're supposed to be here." The Pistons will have a break before facing the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals. Detroit made just 36 percent of its shots and allowed the Magic to make nearly half of their attempts, but made up for the disparity at the line and by taking care of the ball.

Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton, left, and Rasheed Wallace laugh about a basket Hamilton made in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball series.
Detroit Pistons' Richard Hamilton, left, and Rasheed Wallace laugh about a basket Hamilton made in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball series.   (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton makes a layup while defended by Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (15), of Turkey, during the third quarter of Game 5.
Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton makes a layup while defended by Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (15), of Turkey, during the third quarter of Game 5.   (AP Photo/Gary Malerba)
Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (32) shoots over Orlando Magic's Keith Bogans (10) and Marcin Gortat, of Poland, during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of an Eastern Conference playoff series.
Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (32) shoots over Orlando Magic's Keith Bogans (10) and Marcin Gortat, of Poland, during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of an Eastern Conference playoff series.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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NBA • basketball • NBA playoffs • Detroit Pistons • Orlando Magic • Richard Hamilton

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