AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons can advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 14 years when they host the Indiana Pacers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference finals.
The Pistons grabbed a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series with an 83-65 rout of the Pacers on Sunday at Conseco Fieldhouse. Richard Hamilton scored a playoff career-high 33 points and Rasheed Wallace added 22 and eight rebounds for the Pistons, who have not reached the NFA Finals since 1990, when they won the second of back-to-back titles.
Injured Pacers Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley were limited to 11 and eight points, respectively.
The Pacers shot just under 33 percent (25-of-76) and made only 4-of-21 3-pointers.
MEANINGFUL MATCHUP: G Richard Hamilton vs. Reggie Miller. Hamilton has had so much success running Miller ragged, scoring at least 20 points in each game this series, that Pacers coach Rick Carlisle may try Defensive Player of the Year Ron Artest on the slick Pistons guard.
WHO'S HOT:
Pacers: F Ron Artest had 13 points and 11 rebounds in Game Five, though he did make only 4-of-15 shots. ... G Fred Jones had a strong outing off the bench Sunday, contributing 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Pistons: Dating to Game Six of the conference semifinals against the Miami Heat, Hamilton has scored 20-plus points in seven straight games. ... In addition to having a great offensive outing in Game Five, Wallace limited O'Neal to 11 points and six rebounds, both series lows.
WHO'S NOT:
Pacers: G Jamaal Tinsley made only 3-of-13 shots and missed all five 3-point attempts. In the series, he is just 16-of-48, including 2-of-17 from the arc.
Pistons: F Tayshaun Prince scored nine points in Game Five and has only 69 points on 22-of-77 shooting in Detroit's last 11 postseason games.
STREAKS: The road team has won three of the last four games in the series.
SEASON SERIES & HISTORY: Indiana won three of four regular-season meetings against Detroit, which won the only game between the teams after acquiring Rasheed Wallace.
INJURIES:
Pacers: F Jermaine O'Neal (sprained left knee); G Jamaal Tinsley (left hamstring).
Pistons: F Rasheed Wallace (plantar fasciitis in left foot).
