Hamilton scored 31 points in the Pistons’ Game 5 victory to eliminate the Magic and advance to the conference finals. In doing so, the three-time All-Star guard became the Pistons’ career playoff scoring leader.

If it seems like Hamilton, 30, hasn’t been in Detroit long enough to supplant Thomas, the iconic Piston throughout his 13-year career… well, he agrees with you.

“It’s a great honor. Isiah Thomas is Detroit basketball and to pass one of his records is crazy to me because I haven’t been here that long,” said Hamilton, who came to Detroit in 2003. “But if I don’t get this, we don’t win games.”

The Pistons have reached the conference finals all six seasons Hamilton has been with the team, while Thomas did not reach the playoffs until his third season and endured a few first- and second-round exits along the way. Thomas scored 2,261 points in 111 playoff games, a 20.4 scoring average.

Hamilton approached the mark with the consistency of a metronome. He entered the 2008 playoffs with 2,046 points and a 20.7 scoring average (fourth in franchise history). He was averaging 20.5 points this postseason, leaving him 10 shy of the record heading into Game 5.

Hamilton started slowly Tuesday, making one of his first five shots. But he scored 15 points in the second quarter, eclipsing the mark on a pair of free throws with 2:05 left. The first one tied it. The second one set it.

Hamilton received a standing, Thunderstix-roaring ovation when the milestone was displayed on PalaceVision and announced by PA announcer Mason. The Pistons closed the quarter on a 20-8 run, turning their largest deficit of the game (six points) into a six-point halftime lead.

Hamilton added six free throws - completing a 16-for-16 night at the line - in the waning moments to keep the Magic at bay, and now tops the all-time scoring list with 2,282 points. His backcourt partner, Chauncey Billups, moved up to third on the list prior to his hamstring injury. With 1,859 points, Billups surpassed Joe Dumars - Thomas’ backcourt partner and the man who brought both current Pistons to Detroit.

“The great thing that I’ve been blessed with is having great teammates and we get the opportunity to make it to the Finals and hopefully we make it again,” Hamilton said. “But when you win games you get things like that (record) and I’m just blessed to be a part of it.”

Hamilton also has broken Thomas’ team playoff records for field goals made (825) and attempted (1,869) since the postseason began.

After his 7-for-20 shooting night in Game 5, Hamilton has made 838 field goals on 1,907 attempts. He will likely become the Pistons’ playoff career leader in another category during the conference finals. Tuesday was his 110th postseason game - one behind Thomas and three behind the leader, Bill Laimbeer.

But on the championship board he still trails Thomas, Dumars and Laimbeer, who reached three NBA Finals and won two titles. Hamilton is one shy on both accounts.

And until the ledger is even in that regard, Hamilton’s pursuit continues.