AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Richard Hamilton played like he desperately wanted a break.

The guard with the face mask had a playoff-career high 40 points Wednesday night and the Detroit Pistons tied a franchise-playoff scoring record in the first quarter in a 122-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5.

Rasheed Wallace scored 22 points and keyed an 18-2 run after halftime for the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, who won the best-of-seven series and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

Detroit will play the winner of the Cleveland-Washington series. The Pistons will take a day off and have at least a couple of practices before resuming their goal of winning a second title in three years.

"We really wanted to take care of business at home," Hamilton said. "It was important for us to get some rest, and watch the other teams beat each other up."

Hamilton was determined to find his rhythm against Milwaukee after being held to 16.8 points ¡ª more than four below his career playoff average ¡ª on 34.5 percent shooting while playing with a sprained ankle and thigh bruise.

Detroit's strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander told Hamilton that he wasn't going to put a pad on his leg or extra tape on his ankle.

"He didn't want me restrained," Hamilton said. "That gave me all kinds of confidence to do what I usually do."

Michael Redd of the Bucks scored just two points while Detroit pulled away with a dominating opening quarter in which they scored 39 points. Redd finished with 23.

"In the second quarter, when we were dead in the water, he did everything he could," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said.

Detroit coach Flip Saunders, in his first season with the Pistons, said before the game he would take advantage of any and all mismatches against Milwaukee.

Saunders had a lot of choices.

The Pistons clearly made an effort to get Hamilton involved early ¡ª as T.J. Ford attempted to defend him ¡ª and the shooting guard responded.

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