Hamilton-led Pistons eliminate Magic in Game 5

The Detroit Pistons missed 64 percent of their shots and had a rookie filling in for an All-Star at point guard.

It didn’t matter.

Detroit set an NBA playoff record with just three turnovers and made just enough shots and stops to advance to their sixth straight Eastern Conference final with a 91-86 win Tuesday night over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the second-round series.

Richard Hamilton scored 31 points, made victory-sealing free throws late in the game and Tayshaun Prince had a key block to help Detroit eliminate Orlando.

The Pistons are the first franchise to play in six conference finals in a row since the Los Angeles Lakers went to eight straight in the 1980s.

“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 and that will help Chauncey Billups, who missed his second straight game with a strained right hamstring.

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