2003–04 Detroit Pistons season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Head coachLarry Brown
General managerJoe Dumars
PresidentJoe Dumars
Owner(s)Bill Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record54–28 (.659)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Lakers 4–1)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWDFN

The 2003–04 NBA season was the 63rd season for the Pistons, the 56th in the National Basketball Association, and the 47th in the Detroit area.[1] Despite a solid year the previous season, the Pistons received the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, which they obtained from the Memphis Grizzlies. They selected Darko Miličić as their top pick, but only used him as a reserve as he played limited minutes off the bench; he would later be regarded as one of the most suboptimal picks in the history of the NBA draft. After their first trip to the Conference Finals since 1991, the Pistons hired Larry Brown as head coach. Under Brown, the Pistons were once again a tough defensive team as they went on a 13-game winning streak between December and January. However, after a solid 33–16 start, they struggled in February losing six straight games. At midseason, the team acquired All-Star forward Rasheed Wallace from the Atlanta Hawks after playing just one game for them.[2] With the addition of Wallace, the Pistons won 16 of their final 19 games finishing second in the Central Division with a 54–28 record. Ben Wallace was selected for the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. The Pistons went on to win the NBA Championship for the third time in franchise history, with Miličić being the youngest player to win said championship.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in five games despite losing Game 2 at home. In the semifinals, they faced the New Jersey Nets who swept them in the Eastern Conference Finals in the previous year. The Pistons would win the first two games at home, but the Nets would put up a fight against the Pistons by winning 3 straight games to take a 3–2 series lead, which included a triple overtime win in Game 5 at The Palace. However, with the Pistons facing elimination, the Pistons were digging an early hole in Game 6, but the Pistons were able to erase a 13–2 deficit and never trailed for the remainder of the game as they would refuse to relinquish the lead to the Nets and win Game 6 81–75. In Game 7, the Pistons stingy defense held Jason Kidd to 0 points to defeat the Nets 90–69 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they defeated the top-seeded Indiana Pacers in a defensive six game series to earn their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 1990. In the Finals, the Pistons would pull off one of the greatest upsets in NBA history by defeating the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers four games to one, winning their third overall championship and first since 1990. Chauncey Billups was named Finals MVP.[3]

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Team
1 2 Darko Miličić Forward/Center  Serbia and Montenegro Hemofarm Vrsac (Serbia and Montenegro and Adriatic League)
1 25 Carlos Delfino Guard  Argentina Unión de Santa Fe (Argentina)
2 58 Andreas Glyniadakis Center  Greece AEK Athens (Greece)

Roster

2003–04 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
PG 1 Billups, Chauncey 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1976-09-25 Colorado
C 41 Campbell, Elden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 279 lb (127 kg) 1968-07-23 Clemson
SF 24 Fowlkes, Tremaine 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 212 lb (96 kg) 1976-04-11 Fresno State
SF 8 Ham, Darvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1973-07-23 Texas Tech
SG 32 Hamilton, Richard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1978-02-14 Connecticut
SG 10 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1970-12-03 Jackson State
PG 7 James, Mike 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1975-06-23 Duquesne
C 31 Miličić, Darko 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1985-06-20 Serbia and Montenegro
PF 13 Okur, Mehmet 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 290 lb (132 kg) 1979-05-26 Turkey
SF 22 Prince, Tayshaun 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1980-02-28 Kentucky
C 3 Wallace, Ben (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1974-09-10 Virginia Union
PF 30 Wallace, Rasheed 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1974-09-17 North Carolina
PF 34 Williamson, Corliss 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1973-12-04 Arkansas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 26, 2004

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Indiana Pacers 6121.744–34–727–1420–8
x-Detroit Pistons 5428.659731–1023–1817–11
x-New Orleans Hornets 4141.5002025–1616–2514–14
x-Milwaukee Bucks 4141.5002027–1414–2715–13
Cleveland Cavaliers 3547.4272623–1812–2914–14
Toronto Raptors 3349.4022818–2315–2611–17
Atlanta Hawks 2854.3413318–2310–3110–18
Chicago Bulls 2359.2803814–279–3211–17
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Indiana Pacers6121.744–
2 y-New Jersey Nets4735.57314
3 x-Detroit Pistons5428.6597
4 x-Miami Heat4240.51219
5 x-New Orleans Hornets4141.50020
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks4141.50020
7 x-New York Knicks3943.47622
8 x-Boston Celtics3646.43925
9 Cleveland Cavaliers3547.42726
10 Toronto Raptors3349.40228
11 Philadelphia 76ers3349.40228
12 Atlanta Hawks2854.34133
13 Washington Wizards2557.30536
14 Chicago Bulls2359.28038
15 Orlando Magic2161.25640

Record vs. opponents

2003-04 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta —3–13–11–32–02–01–30–20–20–40–21–10–21–32–21–11–32–20–31–31–21–10–20–21–11–11–30–22–2
Boston 1–3—1–23–11–12–00–32–01–11–30–20–21–12–21–31–12–20–41–33–13–11–10–21–10–21–13–11–13–1
Chicago 1–32–1—2–20–20–20–41–10–21–31–10–20–20–41–30–20–32–22–23–10–41–10–20–20–20–24–01–11–3
Cleveland 3–11–32–2—0–20–22–20–20–21–31–10–20–22–22–20–21–23–14–02–13–10–21–10–21–12–01–31–12–2
Dallas 0–21–12–02–0—2–21–13–13–10–22–22–22–21–11–12–22–02–02–02–01–13–13–13–13–13–11–12–21–1
Denver 0–20–22–02–02–2—0–23–12–20–22–21–32–21–12–01–30–21–11–11–12–04–04–02–21–32–20–23–12–0
Detroit 3–13–04–02–21–12–0—1–11–11–32–01–12–04–03–10–22–21–33–13–12–22–02–00–21–11–13–11–13–0
Golden State 2–00–21–12–01–31–31–1—2–20–22–21–31–31–11–12–20–20–22–01–11–12–22–22–22–23–11–12–21–1
Houston 2–01–12–02–01–32–21–12–2—1–14–02–21–31–12–02–21–12–02–02–02–01–33–10–40–41–31–12–22–0
Indiana 4–03–13–13–12–02–03–12–01–1—2–01–11–13–01–31–13–12–23–13–14–02–01–10–21–12–04–02–02–1
L.A. Clippers 2–02–01–11–12–22–20–22–20–40–2—1–30–40–22–00–40–21–11–12–01–13–12–20–41–30–41–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–12–02–02–02–23–11–13–12–21–13–1—2–22–02–01–32–01–12–02–01–13–12–21–33–13–12–03–12–0
Memphis 2–01–12–02–02–22–20–23–13–11–14–02–2—1–11–11–32–01–11–12–02–02–22–22–23–11–32–01–32–0
Miami 3–12–24–02–21–11–10–41–11–10–32–00–21–1—1–20–23–23–11–34–01–31–10–21–10–22–02–11–14–0
Milwaukee 2–23–13–12–21–10–21–31–10–23–10–20–21–12–1—0–23–11–32–23–12–11–11–11–11–10–23–11–13–1
Minnesota 1–11–12–02–02–23–12–02–22–21–14–03–13–12–02–0—1–12–01–12–01–14–01–33–12–23–12–02–22–0
New Jersey 3–12–23–02–10–22–02–22–01–11–32–00–20–22–31–31–1—2–13–14–03–11–10–21–10–22–02–21–14–0
New Orleans 2–24–02–21–30–21–13–12–00–22–21–11–11–11–33–10–21–2—1–24–02–21–12–00–21–10–21–31–13–1
New York 3–03–12–20–40–21–11–30–20–21–31–10–21–13–12–21–11–32–1—3–13–11–11–11–10–21–13–10–24–0
Orlando 3–11–31–31–20–21–11–31–10–21–30–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–41–3—2–21–10–20–20–20–21–21–14–0
Philadelphia 2–11–34–01–31–10–22–21–10–20–41–11–10–23–11–21–11–32–21–32–2—1–11–10–22–01–11–30–22–2
Phoenix 1–11–11–12–01–30–40–22–23–10–21–31–32–21–11–10–41–11–11–11–11–1—2–21–30–42–20–21–31–1
Portland 2–02–02–01–11–30–40–22–21–31–12–22–22–22–01–13–12–00–21–12–01–12–2—3–10–42–21–12–21–1
Sacramento 2–01–12–02–01–32–22–02–24–02–04–03–12–21–11–11–31–12–01–12–02–03–11–3—2–23–12–03–11–1
San Antonio 1–12–02–01–11–33–11–12–24–01–13–11–31–32–01–12–22–01–12–02–00–24–04–02–2—4–02–04–02–0
Seattle 1–11–12–00–21–32–21–11–33–10–24–01–33–10–22–01–30–22–01–12–01–12–22–21–30–4—1–11–31–1
Toronto 3–11–30–43–11–12–01–31–11–10–41–10–20–21–21–30–22–23–11–32–13–12–01–10–20–21–1—1–11–3
Utah 2–01–11–11–12–21–31–12–22–20–23–11–33–11–11–12–21–11–12–01–12–03–12–21–30–43–11–1—1–1
Washington 2–21–33–12–21–10–20–31–10–21–22–00–20–20–41–30–20–41–30–40–42–21–11–11–10–21–13–11–1—

Game log

2003–04 game log
Total: 54–28 (Home: 31–10; Road: 23–18)
October: 1–1 (home: 0–1; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 29 Indiana L 87–89 Wallace, Prince (16) Ben Wallace (17) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 0–1
2 October 31 @ Miami W 93–81 Chauncey Billups (27) Ben Wallace (15) Tayshaun Prince (5) American Airlines Arena
15,825		 1–1
November: 11–5 (home: 6–1; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
3 November 1 @ Orlando W 96–85 Richard Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (17) Chauncey Billups (4) TD Waterhouse Centre
14,588		 2–1
4 November 5 Boston W 96–88 Chauncey Billups (27) Ben Wallace (13) Chauncey Billups (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
17,376		 3–1
5 November 7 Milwaukee W 105–99 Chauncey Billups (27) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,204		 4–1
6 November 9 New Jersey W 98–84 Richard Hamilton (24) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,664		 5–1
7 November 11 @ Sacramento L 91–97 Richard Hamilton (19) Mehmet Okur (9) Hamilton, Billups (3) ARCO Arena
17,317		 5–2
8 November 12 @ Golden State L 85–87 (OT) Chauncey Billups (19) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (12) The Arena in Oakland
14,382		 5–3
9 November 14 @ L.A. Lakers L 89–94 Chauncey Billups (29) Mehmet Okur (9) Billups, Hamilton (5) Staples Center
18,997		 5–4
10 November 15 @ Phoenix W 100–91 Richard Hamilton (27) Ben Wallace (16) Tayshaun Prince (5) America West Arena
15,681		 6–4
11 November 18 L.A. Lakers W 106–96 Chauncey Billups (25) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 7–4
12 November 19 @ Memphis W 99–92 Chauncey Billups (33) Mehmet Okur (9) Tayshaun Prince (6) Pyramid Arena
13,340		 8–4
13 November 21 New York W 94–85 Chauncey Billups (23) B. Wallace, Okur (9) Chauncey Billups (3) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 9–4
14 November 23 New Orleans L 80–81 Prince, Hamilton (13) Mehmet Okur (18) Chauncey Billups (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 9–5
15 November 24 @ Atlanta W 94–89 Chauncey Billups (24) Ben Wallace (15) Billups, Sura (4) Philips Arena
18,255		 10–5
16 November 26 @ Philadelphia L 86–90 Richard Hamilton (19) Ben Wallace (8) Richard Hamilton (6) Wachovia Center
20,512		 10–6
17 November 28 Cleveland W 92–88 Richard Hamilton (44) Ben Wallace (15) Tayshaun Prince (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 11–6
18 November 29 @ Washington W 80–69 Richard Hamilton (25) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (6) MCI Center
16,853		 12–6
December: 7–7 (home: 5–3; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
19 December 1 @ New York W 79–78 (OT) Chauncey Billups (24) Ben Wallace (14) Richard Hamilton (6) Madison Square Garden
17,082		 13–6
20 December 3 Miami W 87–73 Richard Hamilton (18) Ben Wallace (21) B. Wallace, Billups, Prince (3) The Palace of Auburn Hills
17,703		 14–6
21 December 6 @ Houston L 80–86 Richard Hamilton (17) Ben Wallace (10) Chauncey Billups (4) Toyota Center
18,144		 14–7
22 December 9 Philadelphia L 76–78 Chauncey Billups (29) Ben Wallace (9) Richard Hamilton (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,166		 14–8
23 December 11 @ Cleveland L 86–95 Richard Hamilton (19) Ben Wallace (9) Richard Hamiton (8) Gund Arena
15,115		 14–9
24 December 12 Seattle L 72–93 Ben Wallace (14) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,244		 14–10
25 December 17 Chicago W 77–73 Richaed Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (15) Prince, Hamilton, Atkins (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
17,041		 15–10
26 December 19 @ Indiana L 75–80 Chauncey Billups (13) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (3) Conseco Fieldhouse
16,383		 15–11
27 December 21 Utah W 96–75 Chauncey Billups (19) Ben Wallace (13) Chauncey Billups (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 16–11
28 December 23 @ Milwaukee L 78–83 Richard Hamilton (17) Ben Wallace (20) Hamilton, Billups (4) Bradley Center
15,081		 16–12
29 December 26 New Jersey L 79–82 Richard Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (18) Ben Wallace (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 16–13
30 December 27 @ Atlanta W 87–84 Richard Hamilton (28) Ben Wallace (10) Chauncey Billups (4) Philips Arena
19,445		 17–13
31 December 29 New Orleans W 108–99 Chauncey Billups (31) Ben Wallace (18) Richard Hamilton (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 18–13
32 December 31 Portland W 78–71 Chauncey Billups (22) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,458		 19–13
January: 13–3 (home: 8–1; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
33 January 2 Phoenix W 93–81 Richard Hamilton (26) Ben Wallace (22) Hamilton, Billups (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 20–13
34 January 3 Golden State W 99–93 Tayshaun Prince (20) Tayshaun Prince (9) Chauncey Billups (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,719		 21–13
35 January 5 @ Boston W 78–68 Richard Hamilton (15) Ben Wallace (16) Ben Wallace (5) FleetCenter
13,015		 22–13
36 January 7 Houston W 85–66 Richard Hamilton (16) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
19,111		 23–13
37 January 11 Dallas W 115–102 Chauncey Billups (27) Ben Wallace (13) Prince, Billups (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 24–13
38 January 13 @ Chicago W 105–89 Richard Hamilton (24) Ben Wallace (17) Prince, Billups (7) United Center
17,295		 25–13
39 January 14 Toronto W 95–91 Hamilton, Okur (27) Mehmet Okur (14) Chauncey Billups (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
18,473		 26–13
40 January 16 Washington W 98–77 Richard Hamilton (17) Mehmet Okur (9) Chauncey Bullups (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,539		 27–13
41 January 17 @ Milwaukee W 99–94 Chauncey Billups (26) Ben Wallace (11) Chaucney Billups (6) Bradley Center
18,717		 28–13
42 January 19 San Antonio W 85–77 Chauncey Billups (18) Ben Wallace (16) Richard Hamilton (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 29–13
43 January 20 @ Indiana L 69–81 Richard Hamilton (15) Ben Wallace (10) Chucky Atkins (4) Conseco Fieldhouse
15,848		 29–14
44 January 23 @ Minnesota L 79–80 Mehmet Okur (21) B. Wallace, Hamilton (10) Chucky Atkins (5) Target Center
19,006		 29–15
45 January 25 Atlanta L 82–91 Ben Wallace (14) Ben Wallace (15) Ben Wallace (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 29–16
46 January 28 @ Boston W 106–103 Billups, Okur (21) Ben Wallace (15) B. Wallace, Atkins (4) FleetCenter
14,042		 30–16
47 January 30 @ Toronto W 90–89 (OT) Richard Hamilton (28) Ben Wallace (18) Chauncey Billups (4) Air Canada Centre
19,555		 31–16
48 January 31 Memphis W 80–78 Richard Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (13) Chauncey Billups (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 32–16
February: 6–8 (home: 2–4; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
49 February 2 @ Miami W 102–100 (OT) Tayshaun Prince (24) Ben Wallace (12) Richard Hamilton (7) American Airlines Arena
15,438		 33–16
50 February 3 Cleveland L 82–85 Chauncey Billups (19) Ben Wallace (17) Chauncey Billups (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 33–17
51 February 6 @ New Orleans L 81–92 Ben Wallace (14) Ben Wallace (13) Richard Hamilton (5) New Orleans Arena
14,016		 33–18
52 February 7 @ Dallas L 108–111 Chauncey Billups (17) Ben Wallace (8) Richard Hamilton (6) American Airlines Center
20,357		 33–19
53 February 10 @ New Jersey L 78–89 Chauncey Billups (23) Ben Wallace (12) Chauncey Billups (5) Continental Airlines Arena
13,781		 33–20
54 February 11 Sacramento L 94–96 Richard Hamilton (27) Ben Wallace (19) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 33–21
All-Star Break
55 February 17 @ New York L 88–92 Chauncey Billups (26) Ben Wallace (13) Okur, Sura (3) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 33–22
56 February 18 Milwaukee W 102–98 Richard Hamilton (23) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 34–22
57 February 20 Minnesota L 87–88 Richard Hamilton (24) Ben Wallace (12) Chauncey Billups (11) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 34–23
58 February 22 Orlando L 86–87 Richard Hamilton (23) Ben Wallace (13) Chauncey Billups (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 34–24
59 February 23 @ Philadelphia W 76–66 Richard Hamilton (15) Ben Wallace (13) Chauncey Billups (4) Wachovia Center
19,972		 35–24
60 February 25 @ Chicago W 107–88 Richard Hamilton (21) Ben Wallace (8) Billips, Hamilton (6) United Center
19,814		 36–24
61 February 27 Atlanta W 105–83 Billups, Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 37–24
62 February 29 @ L.A. Clippers W 100–88 Chauncey Billups (28) Ben Wallace (13) Chauncey Billups (7) Staples Center
18,775		 38–24
March: 10–3 (home: 5–0; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
63 March 1 @ Utah L 86–94 Rasheed Wallace (27) Ben Wallace (16) Billups, Prince (3) Delta Center
19,911		 38–25
64 March 4 @ Portland W 83–68 Chauncey Billups (16) Ben Wallace (19) Tayshaun Prince (6) Rose Garden
20,243		 39–25
65 March 6 @ Denver W 97–66 Rasheed Wallace (20) Rasheed Wallace (10) Chauncey Billups (13) Pepsi Center
19,681		 40–25
66 March 7 @ Seattle W 86–65 Rasheed Wallace (18) Ben Wallace (13) Mike James (6) KeyArena
14,739		 41–25
67 March 10 Chicago W 98–65 Chauncey Billups (19) Ben Wallace (9) Hamilton, Billups, James (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 42–25
68 March 14 Philadelphia W 85–69 Rasheed Wallace (14) Rasheed Wallace (8) Chauncey Billups (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 43–25
69 March 18 @ New Jersey W 89–71 Chauncey Billups (20) Richard Hamilton (9) Chauncey Billups (8) Continental Airlines Arena
14,799		 44–25
70 March 19 Denver W 94–75 R. Wallace, Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (9) Chauncey Billups (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 45–25
71 March 21 @ Cleveland W 96–76 Chauncey Billups (18) Ben Wallace (10) Chauncey Billups (6) Gund Arena
20,562		 46–25
72 March 23 @ New Orleans L 81–82 Richard Hamilton (17) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (7) New Orleans Arena
14,377		 46–26
73 March 25 @ San Antonio L 75–84 Rasheed Wallace (17) Rasheed Wallace (14) Hamilton, Hunter (5) SBC Center
17,695		 46–27
74 March 27 New York W 100–85 Tayshaun Prince (20) Ben Wallace (12) Chauncey Billups (13) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 47–27
75 March 31 L.A. Clippers W 108–99 Richard Hamilton (28) Ben Wallace (8) Mike James (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 48–27
April: 6–1 (home: 5–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
76 April 2 Miami W 92–84 Chauncey Billups (31) Ben Wallace (8) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 49–27
77 April 4 Indiana W 79–61 Richard Hamilton (24) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 50–27
78 April 6 Orlando W 102–86 Rasheed Wallace (17) Rasheed Wallace (11) Mike James (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 51–27
79 April 9 Toronto W 74–66 Richard Hamilton (20) Ben Wallace (16) Lindsey Hunter (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 52–27
80 April 10 @ Orlando W 101–89 Tayshaun Prince (25) Williamson, Miličić (6) Mike James (8) TD Waterhouse Centre
15,571		 53–27
81 April 12 Washington W 101–79 Richard Hamilton (24) Ben Wallace (12) Richard Hamilton (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 54–27
82 April 13 @ Toronto L 78–87 Tayshaun Prince (21) Ben Wallace (7) Richard Hamilton (10) Air Canada Centre
18,273		 54–28
2003–04 schedule

Playoffs

2004 playoff game log
First Round: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 18 Milwaukee W 108–82 Richard Hamilton (21) Ben Wallace (14) Richard Hamilton (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 1–0
2 April 21 Milwaukee L 88–92 Chauncey Billups (20) Ben Wallace (12) Chauncey Billups (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 1–1
3 April 24 @ Milwaukee W 95–85 Chauncey Billups (21) Ben Wallace (21) Chauncey Billups (7) Bradley Center
18,717		 2–1
4 April 26 @ Milwaukee W 109–92 Richard Hamilton (27) B. Wallace, R. Wallace (9) Chauncey Billups (9) Bradley Center
17,316		 3–1
5 April 29 Milwaukee W 91–77 Tayshaun Prince (24) Ben Wallace (12) Tayshaun Prince (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 4–1
Conference Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 3 New Jersey W 78–56 Hamilton, Prince (15) Ben Wallace (11) Richard Hamilton (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 1–0
2 May 7 New Jersey W 95–80 Billups, Hamilton (28) Ben Wallace (11) Chauncey Billups (13) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 2–0
3 May 9 @ New Jersey L 64–82 Hamilton, B. Wallace (15) Ben Wallace (24) Ben Wallace (4) Continental Airlines Arena
19,000		 2–1
4 May 11 @ New Jersey L 79–94 Richard Hamilton (30) Ben Wallace (15) Chauncey Billups (5) Continental Airlines Arena
19,860		 2–2
5 May 14 New Jersey L 120–127 (3OT) Chauncey Billups (31) Ben Wallace (11) Richard Hamilton (11) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 2–3
6 May 16 @ New Jersey W 81–75 Richard Hamilton (24) Ben Wallace (20) Richard Hamilton (4) Continental Airlines Arena
19,968		 3–3
7 May 20 New Jersey W 90–69 Chauncey Billups (22) Ben Wallace (8) Chauncey Billups (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 4–3
Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 22 @ Indiana L 74–78 Richard Hamilton (23) Ben Wallace (22) Ben Wallace (5) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345		 0–1
2 May 24 @ Indiana W 72–67 Richard Hamilton (23) three players tied (8) Chauncey Billups (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345		 1–1
3 May 26 Indiana W 85–78 Hamilton, R. Wallace (20) Ben Wallace (16) Chauncey Billups (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 2–1
4 May 28 Indiana L 68–83 Richard Hamilton (22) Ben Wallace (19) Chauncey Billups (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 2–2
5 May 30 @ Indiana W 83–65 Richard Hamilton (33) Ben Wallace (12) Chauncey Billups (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345		 3–2
6 June 1 Indiana W 69–65 Richard Hamilton (21) Ben Wallace (16) Richard Hamilton (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 4–2
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 June 6 @ L.A. Lakers W 87–75 Chauncey Billups (22) B. Wallace, R. Wallace (8) Richard Hamilton (5) Staples Center
18,997		 1–0
2 June 8 @ L.A. Lakers L 91–99 (OT) Chauncey Billups (27) Ben Wallace (14) Chauncey Billups (9) Staples Center
18,997		 1–1
3 June 10 L.A. Lakers W 88–68 Richard Hamilton (31) Ben Wallace (11) three players tied (3) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 2–1
4 June 13 L.A. Lakers W 88–80 Rasheed Wallace (26) B. Wallace, R. Wallace (13) Richard Hamilton (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 3–1
5 June 15 L.A. Lakers W 100–87 Richard Hamilton (21) Ben Wallace (22) Chauncey Billups (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 4–1
2004 schedule

NBA Finals

Series summary

Team/Game 1 2 (OT) 3 4 5 Wins
Los Angeles (West) 75996880 871
Detroit (East) 87918888 1004

(OT) denotes a game that required overtime.

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage. This was only used in the Finals, all other playoff series are held in a 2-2-1-1-1 format (the team with home court advantage starts).[4]

Aspects

The Lakers had a lineup of stars such as Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal – their offensive capability was expected to overpower Detroit's defensive-based gameplan.

Payton and Malone also added to the publicity of the Finals. Perennial All-Stars who had both previously reached the Finals, Payton had led the Seattle SuperSonics there in 1996, while Malone had led the Utah Jazz there in 1997 and 1998.[5] However, Michael Jordan and the Bulls denied their championship rings a total of three times. By the time of Jordan's retirement in 2003, the two veterans were aged and failed to lead their teams deep into the playoffs.[5][6] Thus, this Finals series was seen as the last chance for two of the greatest players in NBA history to finally become NBA champions (Later on, Malone retired while Payton became a champion as a key bench player for the Miami Heat).

Game One

Sunday, June 6, 2004, 14:30 at the Staples Center.

Considered to be a stunning upset by most of the NBA world, the Detroit Pistons managed to defeat the Lakers with imposing defense.[7] Defensively clamping down on everyone but Bryant and O'Neal, the Pistons managed to hold everyone else to a total of 16 points.

The Pistons trailed the Lakers 41–40 at halftime, but a 10–4 surge capped by Billups's 3-pointer gave the Pistons the lead. O'Neal's foul trouble furthered the scoring gap, with the Pistons leading by 13 points early in the fourth quarter.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Detroit 221824 2387
Los Angeles 192217 1775

Game Two

Tuesday, June 8, 2004, 15:04 at the Staples Center.

The second game was close throughout the first half, but in the third quarter Detroit would score 30 points, cutting the deficit 68–66. However, at the end of the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant's 3-point shot at 2.1 seconds to go would tie the game at 89–89. The Lakers and Pistons would then go to overtime, with the Lakers outscoring the Pistons 10–2.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. OT Total
Detroit 162030 23291
Los Angeles 182624 211099

Game Three

Thursday, June 10, 2004, 14:31 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons beat Los Angeles by 20 in their first NBA Finals appearance together at The Palace of Auburn Hills since 1989[8] to take a 2–1 lead in the series. The 68 points scored by the Lakers set a (post-shot clock) franchise record for the fewest points scored in a Finals game. (Even Jay Leno was upset, saying in his Tonight Show monologue: "68 points? 68 is a great score...if you're playing golf!")

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 161619 1768
Detroit 241524 2588

Game Four

Sunday, June 13, 2004, 14:49 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Again, the Pistons defeated the Lakers, although this time by eight, to take a 3–1 series advantage.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 221717 2480
Detroit 212015 3288

Game Five

Tuesday, June 15, 2004, 14:32 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

In Game 5, the Pistons won their first championship since 1990, and Larry Brown finally won a title as an NBA head coach. The Pistons defense had overcome the high-scoring Laker offense, winning the game by 13, winning the series 4-1, and also ending a long Laker dynasty that lasted for many years. The game saw the end of Phil Jackson's first run as the coach (he returned for the 2005-06 season), and saw O'Neal, Payton, and Malone's last games in Laker uniforms (O'Neal and Payton were both acquired by the soon-to-be NBA Champions Miami Heat and Malone retired).

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 242114 2887
Detroit 253027 18100

Playoff defensive records

As a result of their incredible defensive dominance, the 2004 Pistons set a number of notable shot-clock era (1955–present) defensive playoff records:

  • Allowed under 90 points in eighteen playoff games.[9]
  • Allowed under 85 points in sixteen playoff games.[10]
  • Allowed under 80 points in eleven playoff games.[11]
  • Allowed under 75 points in six playoff games.[12]
  • Allowed under 70 points in six playoff games.[13]
  • Allowed 65 or less points in three playoff games.[14]
  • One of two teams (1998 Bulls) to allow under 60 points in a playoff game.[15]
  • Allowed under 40% FG in twelve playoff games.[16]
  • Allowed under 35% FG in five playoff games (tied with 1999 Knicks).[17]
  • Allowed under 30% FG in two playoff games (tied with 1999 Knicks).[18]

Least Points Per Game (PPG) allowed in a shot-clock era playoff run of any length:

  • The 2004 Pistons allowed 80.696 PPG,[19] slightly lower than the 2000 Heat at 80.700 PPG allowed.[20] Excluding overtime periods, the 2004 Pistons allowed 78.6 PPG during the playoffs in regulation compared to 79.9 PPG allowed for the 2000 Heat.

The 2004 Pistons had a Defensive Rating of 92.0 in the playoffs.[21] This is the lowest Defensive Rating any team has had in a post-1st round playoff run in the 3-point era (1980–present). The 2000 Spurs had a 91.4 Defensive Rating, but this was in a 1st round loss of only four games.[22]

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Chauncey Billups 787835.4.394.388.8783.55.71.080.1016.9
Elden Campbell 652713.7.439–.6853.20.70.320.775.6
Tremaine Fowlkes 3607.3.313.125.7221.50.40.250.081.2
Darvin Ham 5429.0.493.500.6001.70.30.240.151.8
Richard Hamilton 787835.5.455.265.8683.64.01.320.2217.6
Lindsey Hunter 33820.0.343.280.6252.02.61.180.183.5
Mike James* 26019.7.405.364.8442.23.71.000.046.3
Darko Miličić 3404.7.262.000.5831.30.20.210.441.4
Mehmet Okur 713322.3.463.375.7755.91.00.510.899.6
Tayshaun Prince 828032.9.467.363.7664.82.30.770.8410.3
Ben Wallace 818137.7.421.125.49012.41.71.773.049.5
Rasheed Wallace* 222130.6.431.319.7047.01.81.092.0513.7
Corliss Williamson 79019.9.505–.7313.20.70.380.259.5

* Statistics include only games with the Pistons

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Chauncey Billups 232338.3.385.346.8903.05.91.350.0916.4
Elden Campbell 1408.9.286–.5561.80.70.430.642.1
Darvin Ham 2204.9.500.000–0.60.00.140.180.7
Richard Hamilton 232340.2.447.385.8484.64.21.170.0421.5
Lindsey Hunter 23011.9.292.233.9171.40.90.780.172.4
Mike James 2208.9.396.429.5631.21.10.230.002.6
Darko Miličić 801.8.000–.2500.40.10.130.000.1
Mehmet Okur 22011.5.470.400.6922.80.40.230.413.7
Tayshaun Prince 232334.6.410.265.7456.02.31.091.359.9
Ben Wallace 232340.2.454.000.42714.31.91.912.4310.3
Rasheed Wallace 232334.9.413.243.7677.81.60.571.9613.0
Corliss Williamson 22014.9.364.000.8092.20.70.270.145.7

Award winners

Transactions

Overview

Players Added

Via draft

Via trade

Via free agency

 Players Lost

Via trade

Via retirement

Waived

Trades

August 21, 2003[23] To Detroit Pistons
Bob Sura		 To Golden State Warriors
Clifford Robinson
Pepe Sánchez
August 28, 2003[24] To Detroit Pistons
Lindsey Hunter		 To Toronto Raptors
Michael Curry
February 19, 2004[25] Three-team trade
To Atlanta Hawks
Chris Mills (from Boston)
Bob Sura (from Detroit)
Željko Rebrača (from Detroit)
2004 first-round pick (from Milwaukee via Denver and Detroit)
 To Boston Celtics
Chucky Atkins (from Detroit)
Lindsey Hunter (from Detroit)
2004 first-round pick (from Detroit)
Cash considerations
To Detroit Pistons
Mike James (from Boston)
Rasheed Wallace (from Atlanta)

Free agency

Additions

Date Player Former team Ref.
July 26 Elden Campbell Seattle SuperSonics [26][27]
September 23 Darvin Ham Atlanta Hawks [28]
October 28 Tremaine Fowlkes Los Angeles Clippers [29]
February 26 Lindsey Hunter Boston Celtics [30]

Subtractions

Date Player Reason New team Ref.
September 13 Danny Manning Retired — [31]
October 22 Justin Hamilton Waived Greece Ionikos [32][33][34]
Derrick Zimmerman Waived Columbus Riverdragons
October 23 Ronald Dupree Waived Chicago Bulls [35][36]
January 20 Hubert Davis Waived New Jersey Nets [37]

References

  1. ↑ 2003-04 Detroit Pistons
  2. ↑ "PRO BASKETBALL; Giving Up Little, Pistons Pull Off Deal for Wallace". The New York Times. February 20, 2004. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  3. ↑ "PRO BASKETBALL; Teamwork Thumps Star Power". New York Times. June 16, 2004. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Basketball: NBA Playoffs 2007 preview". betinf.com. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  5. 1 2 "Utah Jazz". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Seattle Supersonics". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Billups, Pistons Swipe Home-Court Advantage". NBA. Retrieved September 4, 2007. Led by their trademark daunting defense
  8. ↑ "DETROIT PISTONS HISTORY". Basketball Tickets. Archived from the original on August 6, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  10. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  11. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  12. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  13. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  14. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  15. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  16. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  17. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  18. ↑ "Team Game Finder".
  19. ↑ "2004 NBA Playoffs Summary".
  20. ↑ "2000 NBA Playoffs Summary".
  21. ↑ "2004 NBA Playoffs Summary".
  22. ↑ "2004 NBA Playoffs Summary".
  23. ↑ "Robinson should be help to Dunleavy in frontcourt". ESPN.com. ESPN.com news services. August 21, 2003. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Pistons trade Curry for Hunter". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 28, 2003. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Pistons Acquire Forward/Center Rasheed Wallace From Hawks And Guard Mike James From Boston In Three-Way Deal". Pistons.com. February 19, 2004. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Pistons Sign Free-Agent Center Elden Campbell". Pistons.com. July 26, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Campbell signs with the Pistons". Deseret News. Associated Press. July 27, 2003. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Pistons sign free agent F Darvin Ham". ESPN.com. September 23, 2003. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Pistons sign free-agent Tremaine Fowlkes". ESPN.com. October 28, 2003. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Pistons Sign Lindsey Hunter". Pistons.com. February 26, 2004. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Manning Retires After 15 Seasons in NBA". NBA.com. September 13, 2003. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Pistons Waive Guards Derrick Zimmerman and Justin Hamilton". Pistons.com. October 22, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  33. ↑ "HAMILTON, JUSTIN". Euroleague.net. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Brose Baskets signs Zimmerman at point". Euroleague.net. November 8, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Pistons Waive Forward Ronald Dupree". Pistons.com. October 23, 2003. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Transactions". Deseret News. January 8, 2004. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  37. ↑ Kerber, Fred (February 22, 2004). "HUBERT'S GOT STREAK OF HIS OWN". New York Post. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
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