AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons' goal in the first round of the playoffs was to play up to their potential, not down to their competition.

Mission accomplished.

Richard Hamilton scored a playoff career-best 40 points Wednesday night to lead Detroit to a 122-93 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks that advanced the Pistons to the second round.

The NBA's top-seeded team disposed of the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed with four double-digit victories and one loss in the best-of-seven series.

"Somebody called me up and said I sounded arrogant when I said we weren't playing against the Bucks, we were playing against ourselves," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "But I've always believed that."

Hamilton scored 15 points to help the Pistons take a 39-23 lead, tying a franchise playoff scoring record for a first quarter, and they essentially ended the game with an 18-2 run to open the second half.

"Like Flip said, they weren't playing us, they were playing themselves," Milwaukee coach Terry Stotts said.

Hamilton led the way for Detroit, but he had plenty of help.

Rasheed Wallace scored 22 points for the Pistons, while Chauncey Billups had 17 points and eight assists, Tayshaun Prince scored 12 points, reserve Antonio McDyess added 11 points and Ben Wallace grabbed 14 rebounds.

"You never know who you're going to get it from," Rasheed Wallace said.

Milwaukee's Michael Redd, who had 23 points, didn't get much help.

In the only other NBA playoff game on Wednesday, Cleveland beat Washington 121-120 in overtime to take a 3-2 series lead. Detroit will play the Cleveland-Washington winner.

The Pistons took Thursday off and will have at least a couple of practices before resuming their drive for a second title in three years.

"It was important for us to get some rest and watch the other teams beat each other up," Hamilton said.

Hamilton struggled earlier in the series with a sprained ankle and a bruised thigh, but he looked as healthy as ever in Game 5. Arnie Kander, Detroit's strength and conditioning coach, told the shooting guard with the face mask that he wasn't going to put a pad on his leg or extra tape on his ankle.

Cavs 121, Wizards 120, OT

LeBron James scored 45 points, including the winning layup with 0.9 seconds left in overtime. He missed a jumper at the regulation buzzer, but made up for that in the overtime.

Gilbert Arenas, who had 44 points, was way off with a desperation heave at the buzzer.

Arenas, who had eight points in the overtime, was fouled on a drive to the hoop and made two free throws with 3.6 seconds left, setting up James' final shot.

The series returns to Washington for Game 6 on Friday night.

Larry Hughes scored 24 points and Eric Snow had 18, six in overtime, for the Cavaliers, who blew a seven-point lead late in regulation.

Antawn Jamison had 32 points and Caron Butler added 20 for the Wizards.