2003–04 Detroit Pistons season

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. 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. 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.

Game log

 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 1
 * October 29
 * Indiana
 * Wallace, Prince (16)
 * Ben Wallace (17)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 0–1
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 2
 * October 31
 * @ Miami
 * Chauncey Billups (27)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Tayshaun Prince (5)
 * American Airlines Arena 15,825
 * 1–1
 * American Airlines Arena 15,825
 * 1–1


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 3
 * November 1
 * @ Orlando
 * Richard Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (17)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 14,588
 * 2–1
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 4
 * November 5
 * Boston
 * Chauncey Billups (27)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 17,376
 * 3–1
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 5
 * November 7
 * Milwaukee
 * Chauncey Billups (27)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,204
 * 4–1
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 6
 * November 9
 * New Jersey
 * Richard Hamilton (24)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,664
 * 5–1
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 7
 * November 11
 * @ Sacramento
 * Richard Hamilton (19)
 * Mehmet Okur (9)
 * Hamilton, Billups (3)
 * ARCO Arena 17,317
 * 5–2
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 8
 * November 12
 * @ Golden State
 * Chauncey Billups (19)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (12)
 * The Arena in Oakland 14,382
 * 5–3
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 9
 * November 14
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * Chauncey Billups (29)
 * Mehmet Okur (9)
 * Billups, Hamilton (5)
 * Staples Center 18,997
 * 5–4
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 10
 * November 15
 * @ Phoenix
 * Richard Hamilton (27)
 * Ben Wallace (16)
 * Tayshaun Prince (5)
 * America West Arena 15,681
 * 6–4
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 11
 * November 18
 * L.A. Lakers
 * Chauncey Billups (25)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 7–4
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 12
 * November 19
 * @ Memphis
 * Chauncey Billups (33)
 * Mehmet Okur (9)
 * Tayshaun Prince (6)
 * Pyramid Arena 13,340
 * 8–4
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 13
 * November 21
 * New York
 * Chauncey Billups (23)
 * B. Wallace, Okur (9)
 * Chauncey Billups (3)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 9–4
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 14
 * November 23
 * New Orleans
 * Prince, Hamilton (13)
 * Mehmet Okur (18)
 * Chauncey Billups (9)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 9–5
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 15
 * November 24
 * @ Atlanta
 * Chauncey Billups (24)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Billups, Sura (4)
 * Philips Arena 18,255
 * 10–5
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 16
 * November 26
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Richard Hamilton (19)
 * Ben Wallace (8)
 * Richard Hamilton (6)
 * Wachovia Center 20,512
 * 10–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 17
 * November 28
 * Cleveland
 * Richard Hamilton (44)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Tayshaun Prince (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 11–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 18
 * November 29
 * @ Washington
 * Richard Hamilton (25)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * MCI Center 16,853
 * 12–6
 * Richard Hamilton (44)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Tayshaun Prince (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 11–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 18
 * November 29
 * @ Washington
 * Richard Hamilton (25)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * MCI Center 16,853
 * 12–6
 * MCI Center 16,853
 * 12–6


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 19
 * December 1
 * @ New York
 * Chauncey Billups (24)
 * Ben Wallace (14)
 * Richard Hamilton (6)
 * Madison Square Garden 17,082
 * 13–6
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 20
 * December 3
 * Miami
 * Richard Hamilton (18)
 * Ben Wallace (21)
 * B. Wallace, Billups, Prince (3)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 17,703
 * 14–6
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 21
 * December 6
 * @ Houston
 * Richard Hamilton (17)
 * Ben Wallace (10)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * Toyota Center 18,144
 * 14–7
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 22
 * December 9
 * Philadelphia
 * Chauncey Billups (29)
 * Ben Wallace (9)
 * Richard Hamilton (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,166
 * 14–8
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 23
 * December 11
 * @ Cleveland
 * Richard Hamilton (19)
 * Ben Wallace (9)
 * Richard Hamiton (8)
 * Gund Arena 15,115
 * 14–9
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 24
 * December 12
 * Seattle
 * Ben Wallace (14)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,244
 * 14–10
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 25
 * December 17
 * Chicago
 * Richaed Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Prince, Hamilton, Atkins (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 17,041
 * 15–10
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 26
 * December 19
 * @ Indiana
 * Chauncey Billups (13)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (3)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 16,383
 * 15–11
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 27
 * December 21
 * Utah
 * Chauncey Billups (19)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 16–11
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 28
 * December 23
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Richard Hamilton (17)
 * Ben Wallace (20)
 * Hamilton, Billups (4)
 * Bradley Center 15,081
 * 16–12
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 29
 * December 26
 * New Jersey
 * Richard Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (18)
 * Ben Wallace (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 16–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 30
 * December 27
 * @ Atlanta
 * Richard Hamilton (28)
 * Ben Wallace (10)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * Philips Arena 19,445
 * 17–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 31
 * December 29
 * New Orleans
 * Chauncey Billups (31)
 * Ben Wallace (18)
 * Richard Hamilton (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 18–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 32
 * December 31
 * Portland
 * Chauncey Billups (22)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,458
 * 19–13
 * Ben Wallace (18)
 * Richard Hamilton (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 18–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 32
 * December 31
 * Portland
 * Chauncey Billups (22)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,458
 * 19–13
 * 19–13


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 33
 * January 2
 * Phoenix
 * Richard Hamilton (26)
 * Ben Wallace (22)
 * Hamilton, Billups (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 20–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 34
 * January 3
 * Golden State
 * Tayshaun Prince (20)
 * Tayshaun Prince (9)
 * Chauncey Billups (10)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,719
 * 21–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 35
 * January 5
 * @ Boston
 * Richard Hamilton (15)
 * Ben Wallace (16)
 * Ben Wallace (5)
 * FleetCenter 13,015
 * 22–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 36
 * January 7
 * Houston
 * Richard Hamilton (16)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 19,111
 * 23–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 37
 * January 11
 * Dallas
 * Chauncey Billups (27)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Prince, Billups (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 24–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 38
 * January 13
 * @ Chicago
 * Richard Hamilton (24)
 * Ben Wallace (17)
 * Prince, Billups (7)
 * United Center 17,295
 * 25–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 39
 * January 14
 * Toronto
 * Hamilton, Okur (27)
 * Mehmet Okur (14)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 18,473
 * 26–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 40
 * January 16
 * Washington
 * Richard Hamilton (17)
 * Mehmet Okur (9)
 * Chauncey Bullups (10)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 20,539
 * 27–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 41
 * January 17
 * @ Milwaukee
 * Chauncey Billups (26)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chaucney Billups (6)
 * Bradley Center 18,717
 * 28–13
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 42
 * January 19
 * San Antonio
 * Chauncey Billups (18)
 * Ben Wallace (16)
 * Richard Hamilton (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 29–13
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 43
 * January 20
 * @ Indiana
 * Richard Hamilton (15)
 * Ben Wallace (10)
 * Chucky Atkins (4)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 15,848
 * 29–14
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 44
 * January 23
 * @ Minnesota
 * Mehmet Okur (21)
 * B. Wallace, Hamilton (10)
 * Chucky Atkins (5)
 * Target Center 19,006
 * 29–15
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 45
 * January 25
 * Atlanta
 * Ben Wallace (14)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Ben Wallace (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 29–16
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 46
 * January 28
 * @ Boston
 * Billups, Okur (21)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * B. Wallace, Atkins (4)
 * FleetCenter 14,042
 * 30–16
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 47
 * January 30
 * @ Toronto
 * Richard Hamilton (28)
 * Ben Wallace (18)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * Air Canada Centre 19,555
 * 31–16
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 48
 * January 31
 * Memphis
 * Richard Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 32–16
 * Richard Hamilton (28)
 * Ben Wallace (18)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * Air Canada Centre 19,555
 * 31–16
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 48
 * January 31
 * Memphis
 * Richard Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 32–16
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 32–16


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 49
 * February 2
 * @ Miami
 * Tayshaun Prince (24)
 * Ben Wallace (12)
 * Richard Hamilton (7)
 * American Airlines Arena 15,438
 * 33–16
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 50
 * February 3
 * Cleveland
 * Chauncey Billups (19)
 * Ben Wallace (17)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 33–17
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 51
 * February 6
 * @ New Orleans
 * Ben Wallace (14)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Richard Hamilton (5)
 * New Orleans Arena 14,016
 * 33–18
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 52
 * February 7
 * @ Dallas
 * Chauncey Billups (17)
 * Ben Wallace (8)
 * Richard Hamilton (6)
 * American Airlines Center 20,357
 * 33–19
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 53
 * February 10
 * @ New Jersey
 * Chauncey Billups (23)
 * Ben Wallace (12)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 13,781
 * 33–20
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 54
 * February 11
 * Sacramento
 * Richard Hamilton (27)
 * Ben Wallace (19)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 33–21
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 55
 * February 17
 * @ New York
 * Chauncey Billups (26)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Okur, Sura (3)
 * Madison Square Garden 19,763
 * 33–22
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 56
 * February 18
 * Milwaukee
 * Richard Hamilton (23)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 34–22
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 57
 * February 20
 * Minnesota
 * Richard Hamilton (24)
 * Ben Wallace (12)
 * Chauncey Billups (11)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 34–23
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 58
 * February 22
 * Orlando
 * Richard Hamilton (23)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 34–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 59
 * February 23
 * @ Philadelphia
 * Richard Hamilton (15)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (4)
 * Wachovia Center 19,972
 * 35–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 60
 * February 25
 * @ Chicago
 * Richard Hamilton (21)
 * Ben Wallace (8)
 * Billips, Hamilton (6)
 * United Center 19,814
 * 36–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 61
 * February 27
 * Atlanta
 * Billups, Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 37–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 62
 * February 29
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Chauncey Billups (28)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * Staples Center 18,775
 * 38–24
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 37–24
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 62
 * February 29
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * Chauncey Billups (28)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * Staples Center 18,775
 * 38–24
 * 38–24


 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 63
 * March 1
 * @ Utah
 * Rasheed Wallace (27)
 * Ben Wallace (16)
 * Billups, Prince (3)
 * Delta Center 19,911
 * 38–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 64
 * March 4
 * @ Portland
 * Chauncey Billups (16)
 * Ben Wallace (19)
 * Tayshaun Prince (6)
 * Rose Garden 20,243
 * 39–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 65
 * March 6
 * @ Denver
 * Rasheed Wallace (20)
 * Rasheed Wallace (10)
 * Chauncey Billups (13)
 * Pepsi Center 19,681
 * 40–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 66
 * March 7
 * @ Seattle
 * Rasheed Wallace (18)
 * Ben Wallace (13)
 * Mike James (6)
 * KeyArena 14,739
 * 41–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 67
 * March 10
 * Chicago
 * Chauncey Billups (19)
 * Ben Wallace (9)
 * Hamilton, Billups, James (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 42–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 68
 * March 14
 * Philadelphia
 * Rasheed Wallace (14)
 * Rasheed Wallace (8)
 * Chauncey Billups (9)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 43–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 69
 * March 18
 * @ New Jersey
 * Chauncey Billups (20)
 * Richard Hamilton (9)
 * Chauncey Billups (8)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 14,799
 * 44–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 70
 * March 19
 * Denver
 * R. Wallace, Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (9)
 * Chauncey Billups (12)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 45–25
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 71
 * March 21
 * @ Cleveland
 * Chauncey Billups (18)
 * Ben Wallace (10)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * Gund Arena 20,562
 * 46–25
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 72
 * March 23
 * @ New Orleans
 * Richard Hamilton (17)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * New Orleans Arena 14,377
 * 46–26
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 73
 * March 25
 * @ San Antonio
 * Rasheed Wallace (17)
 * Rasheed Wallace (14)
 * Hamilton, Hunter (5)
 * SBC Center 17,695
 * 46–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 74
 * March 27
 * New York
 * Tayshaun Prince (20)
 * Ben Wallace (12)
 * Chauncey Billups (13)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 47–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 75
 * March 31
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Richard Hamilton (28)
 * Ben Wallace (8)
 * Mike James (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 48–27
 * Chauncey Billups (13)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 47–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 75
 * March 31
 * L.A. Clippers
 * Richard Hamilton (28)
 * Ben Wallace (8)
 * Mike James (8)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 48–27
 * 48–27


 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 76
 * April 2
 * Miami
 * Chauncey Billups (31)
 * Ben Wallace (8)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 49–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 77
 * April 4
 * Indiana
 * Richard Hamilton (24)
 * Ben Wallace (11)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 50–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 78
 * April 6
 * Orlando
 * Rasheed Wallace (17)
 * Rasheed Wallace (11)
 * Mike James (9)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 51–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 79
 * April 9
 * Toronto
 * Richard Hamilton (20)
 * Ben Wallace (16)
 * Lindsey Hunter (6)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 52–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 80
 * April 10
 * @ Orlando
 * Tayshaun Prince (25)
 * Williamson, Miličić (6)
 * Mike James (8)
 * TD Waterhouse Centre 15,571
 * 53–27
 * -style="background:#cfc;"
 * 81
 * April 12
 * Washington
 * Richard Hamilton (24)
 * Ben Wallace (12)
 * Richard Hamilton (12)
 * The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
 * 54–27
 * -style="background:#fcc;"
 * 82
 * April 13
 * @ Toronto
 * Tayshaun Prince (21)
 * Ben Wallace (7)
 * Richard Hamilton (10)
 * Air Canada Centre 18,273
 * 54–28
 * @ Toronto
 * Tayshaun Prince (21)
 * Ben Wallace (7)
 * Richard Hamilton (10)
 * Air Canada Centre 18,273
 * 54–28
 * 54–28

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * April 24
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 95–85
 * Chauncey Billups (21)
 * Ben Wallace (21)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * Bradley Center 18,717
 * 2–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * April 26
 * @ Milwaukee
 * W 109–92
 * Richard Hamilton (27)
 * B. Wallace, R. Wallace (9)
 * Chauncey Billups (9)
 * Bradley Center 17,316
 * 3–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * May 11
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 79–94
 * Richard Hamilton (30)
 * Ben Wallace (15)
 * Chauncey Billups (5)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 19,860
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * May 16
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 81–75
 * Richard Hamilton (24)
 * Ben Wallace (20)
 * Richard Hamilton (4)
 * Continental Airlines Arena 19,968
 * 3–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * May 22
 * @ Indiana
 * L 74–78
 * Richard Hamilton (23)
 * Ben Wallace (22)
 * Ben Wallace (5)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * May 24
 * @ Indiana
 * W 72–67
 * Richard Hamilton (23)
 * three players tied (8)
 * Chauncey Billups (6)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 5
 * May 30
 * @ Indiana
 * W 83–65
 * Richard Hamilton (33)
 * Ben Wallace (12)
 * Chauncey Billups (7)
 * Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
 * 3–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 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

Series summary
(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).

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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

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 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!")

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.

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).

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.
 * Allowed under 85 points in sixteen playoff games.
 * Allowed under 80 points in eleven playoff games.
 * Allowed under 75 points in six playoff games.
 * Allowed under 70 points in six playoff games.
 * Allowed 65 or less points in three playoff games.
 * One of two teams (1998 Bulls) to allow under 60 points in a playoff game.
 * Allowed under 40% FG in twelve playoff games.
 * Allowed under 35% FG in five playoff games (tied with 1999 Knicks).
 * Allowed under 30% FG in two playoff games (tied with 1999 Knicks).

Least Points Per Game (PPG) allowed in a shot-clock era playoff run of any length:
 * The 2004 Pistons allowed 80.696 PPG, slightly lower than the 2000 Heat at 80.700 PPG allowed. 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. 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.

Season
* Statistics include only games with the Pistons

Award winners

 * Chauncey Billups, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
 * Ben Wallace, All-NBA Second Team
 * Ben Wallace, NBA All-Defensive First Team