AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Isiah Thomas resumed his springtime rescue act, enabling the Detroit Pistons to continue their campaign for a third straight NBA championship.
Thomas scored 26 points with 11 assists and frustrated the Atlanta Hawks Sunday in leading the Pistons to a 113-81 victory in decisive Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Detroit will play the Boston Celtics in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Boston.
'I thought that was Isiah's best game since he's been back (from wrist surgery),' said Detroit Coach Chuck Daly. 'He distributed the ball well and was taking the ball to the basket and dishing off with authority.
'He seems to thrive on this type of situation. We're fortunate that we have a player that has his ability to lift the whole team. When our backs are to the wall, he seems to raise his game to another level.'
Joe Dumars also chipped in 22 points for Detroit, which had seven players score in double figures. The Pistons shot 48.9 percent from the field compared with 29.7 percent (27 of 91 attempts) for the Hawks.
'I knew our team would play well,' Thomas said. 'We played like the team we're trying to become in the playoffs.
'I don't want these (decisive game) situations. I'd just assume go out 3-0. Today you credit our defense. It did the job.'
Detroit blew open the game in the third quarter, shooting 9 of 13 in the first nine minutes. Two consecutive baskets by Thomas gave the Pistons an 82-55 bulge with 3:08 left.
Atlanta shot 6 of 25 in the third quarter and made only 17 field goals going into the final period. The Hawks made only one basket -- a 3- point shot by John Battle with 2:46 left -- in the final 5:41 as the Pistons opened a 90-58 cushion.
'That third quarter was the key,' said Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins, who was held to 10 points on 4-of-18 shooting. 'We had a chance to pull closer but they shut us down.
'I was surprised we were so flat. We were so ready to play and we were trying so hard. As a matter of fact I think we got ourselves out of sync because we were trying too much.'
Kevin Willis and Duane Ferrell sparked the Hawks on a brief run early in the fourth quarter to pull Atlanta within 92-65 with 9:39 remaining. But the Pistons rebuilt their advantage, leading by as many as 31 points down the stretch.
'I did not think this would happen,' Atlanta Coach Bob Weiss said. 'We tried the same things we've done in the past four games defensively, but offensively is where we fell apart. Detroit hit the shot, executed and got it going.'
Willis paced the Hawks with 13 points, while Doc Rivers and Spud Webb each added 12.
'Our season was on the line. Our championship was on the line,' Thomas said. 'I'm just glad we won the game. Now it's on to Boston. It's not going to a picnic with them.
'People are going to have to realize that there are no more easy series. If it comes down to Game 7, I think we'll be in good shape because we've learned how to win the big game.'
After leading 6-4, Detroit never trailed. The Pistons hit nine of their next 12 field goals to increase their margin to 30-15 with 4:21 remaining.
The Hawks pulled within 11 points twice in the last 3:14 but the Pistons held on for a 35-21 edge at the close of the quarter.
Atlanta trimmed Detroit's advantage at the start of the second quarter by scoring seven of the first nine points to climb within 37-28.
The Pistons struggled with their shooting in the period, connecting on three of their first 11 attempts, and allowed the Hawks to cut the deficit to 42-35 with 6:16 left.
The Hawks pulled within seven points two more times in the quarter, the last 48-41 on Rivers' 10-foot shot with 3:08 to go.
In the final 2:55, Detroit widened the margin to lead 59-42 at halftime. Thomas fueled the 11-1 run with seven points and finished the half with 16. Dumars added 15.
Rivers led Atlanta, which made only 11 of 42 field goal attempts, with 12 points. He had 10 in the second period.
