Pistons move on
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 at Auburn Hills, Mich.
Detroit made just 36 percent of its shots and allowed the Magic to make nearly half of their attempts. The Pistons made up for the disparity at the free-throw line and by taking care of the ball.
The Pistons were 28 of 32 at the line and had just three turnovers – setting an NBA playoff record for the fewest giveaways in a game – while Orlando was 16 of 28 and had a playoff-high 21 turnovers, which turned into 34 points for Detroit.
.Detroit led by 10 late but was ahead 85-84 with just less than a minute left after Hedo Turkoglu made back-to-back shots.
The Pistons won when Hamilton made two free throws, Prince blocked Turkoglu’s dunk attempt, and Hamilton made two more at the line in the last 20 seconds of the game.
Playing without All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups for the second straight game because of a strained hamstring, rookie and former Eastern Washington Eagles star Rodney Stuckey filled the void with 15 points, six assists and no turnovers.
Hornets 101, Spurs 79: At New Orleans, David West had career playoff highs of 38 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, lifting the Hornets to a victory over San Antonio and a 3-2 series lead.
New Orleans looked impressive in winning the first two games at home but stumbled in San Antonio. Back at home, the Hornets cruised again.
Chris Paul had 16 of his 22 points in the second half and added 14 assists for New Orleans, which has never advanced past the second round.
Manu Ginobili led San Antonio with 20 points and Tony Parker had 18. The Hornets held Tim Duncan to 10 points, though Duncan was a force on the glass with 23 rebounds.
Game 6 is Thursday night in San Antonio, where the Spurs are 5-0 in the postseason.
Knicks introduce new coach
The New York Knicks introduced Mike D’Antoni as their new coach.
He replaces Isiah Thomas, who was fired last month after going 56-108 in two seasons.
D’Antoni won at least 54 games each of the last four seasons and earned coach of the year honors in 2005. He is known as one of the NBA’s top offensive minds, running a system that helped Steve Nash win two MVP awards and making the Suns one of the league’s most exciting teams.
Bird sues Indiana B&B
Larry Bird filed a lawsuit alleging a couple who bought his former home in southern Indiana is improperly using his name to promote a bed-and-breakfast.