Pistons advance with emphatic victory

PHILADELPHIA: The Detroit Pistons booked their second-round berth in the National Basketball Association playoffs on Thursday with an emphatic 100-77 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Chauncey Billups chipped in 20 with seven assists for the Pistons, who completed a 4-2 victory in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tayshaun Prince added 12 points for the second-seeded Pistons, who will open the conference semifinals against the third-seeded Orlando Magic on Saturday.