Hamilton inspires Pistons victory

Hamilton's contribution turned the game Detroit's way

Richard Hamilton's 31 points helped Detroit beat Orlando 91-86 to earn a 4-1 series win in the NBA Eastern Conference play-offs.

Detroit, who are in a sixth straight Conference final, face Cleveland or Boston for a place in the NBA final.

Detroit scored 13 points in a row to go 78-70 up and Antonio McDyess's three consecutive free throws put them 82-72 ahead, their largest lead of the game.

Orlando's top scorer was Hedo Turkoglu with 18 points.

Detroit's achievement in reaching six successive conference finals matches the record of the the Los Angeles Lakers, who did it in the Western Conference from 1984 to 1989.

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"It's an awesome feeling but it's one of those things that we feel as though we're supposed to do," said Hamilton, talking about their record of success.

"That's our confidence. We feel as though we have to make it there and we have to try to get back to the Finals."

Detroit hope to have Chauncey Billups back from injury for the semi-finals.

In the Western Conference play-offs, David West shrugged off a pinched nerve in his back to score 38 points as New Orleans thrashed San Antonio 101-79 to push the defending NBA champions to within a game of elimination.

The Hornets lead the Spurs 3-2 and victory at San Antonio in the sixth game of the series on Thursday will put them in the Western Conference final against Utah or the Lakers.