The 1990 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989–90 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. Isiah Thomas was named NBA Finals MVP.
 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | April 26–June 14, 1990 |
| Season | 1989–90 |
| Teams | 16 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Detroit Pistons (2nd title) |
| Runner-up | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Semifinalists |
|
← 1989
1991 →
| |
It was the Blazers' first trip to the NBA Finals since their victory in the 1977 NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks fell behind 2–0 to the Boston Celtics in their first round matchup, but took the series 3–2 by winning Game 5 121–114 in Boston Garden. Prior to this, the Celtics had beaten the Knicks 26 straight at the Boston Garden. This deciding game featured a missed dunk by Larry Bird late in the fourth with the Celtics trailing by four (103-99) and a clinching 3-point basket by Patrick Ewing on a play where he chased down an errant pass by Charles Oakley on the sideline in front of the Knicks' bench and hurled up a desperation shot as the shot clock was reaching zero. The basket put the Knicks up 113-101 and essentially clinched the game and the series.
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series for the first time ever. It also marked the first time since 1981 that the Lakers failed to reach the Western Conference Finals, ending the longest such run since the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics, who made the Eastern Conference Finals thirteen consecutive times between 1957 and 1969.
It was the first NBA Finals to not feature the Lakers or Celtics since 1979.
The Chicago Bulls lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals 93–76 in Detroit, making it the third straight year they were ousted in the playoffs by the Pistons.
The Indiana Pacers made only their third playoff appearance since their NBA debut in the 1976–77 season; they proceeded to make the playoffs 16 out of the next 17 years (missing only in 1997).
The Dallas Mavericks made their only playoff appearance of the decade. They did not return until 2001.
Game 5 of the NBA Finals was the last NBA game to be televised on CBS.
| First Round | Conference Semifinals | Conference Finals | NBA Finals | ||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Detroit* | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| E8 | Indiana | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Detroit* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E5 | New York | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| E4 | Boston | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| E5 | New York | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Detroit* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Chicago | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Chicago | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| E6 | Milwaukee | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| E3 | Chicago | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| E2 | Philadelphia* | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| E2 | Philadelphia* | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| E7 | Cleveland | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| E1 | Detroit* | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Portland | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| W1 | LA Lakers* | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W8 | Houston | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| W1 | LA Lakers* | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| W5 | Phoenix | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W4 | Utah | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| W5 | Phoenix | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W5 | Phoenix | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Western Conference | |||||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Portland | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Portland | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W6 | Dallas | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| W3 | Portland | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| W2 | San Antonio* | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W2 | San Antonio* | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| W7 | Denver | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
April 26 |
| Indiana Pacers 92, Detroit Pistons 104 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 17–32, 28–24, 29–26, 18–22 | ||
| Pts: Detlef Schrempf26 Rebs: Detlef Schrempf7 Asts: Vern Fleming8 |
Pts: James Edwards21 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer14 Asts: Thomas, Dumars 5 each | |
| Detroit leads series, 1–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
April 28 |
| Indiana Pacers 87, Detroit Pistons 100 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–20, 25–21, 22–33, 24–26 | ||
| Pts: Reggie Miller23 Rebs: Chuck Person12 Asts: Vern Fleming7 |
Pts: Bill Laimbeer22 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer11 Asts: Isiah Thomas12 | |
| Detroit leads series, 2–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
May 1 |
| Detroit Pistons 108, Indiana Pacers96 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–23, 28–22, 28–27, 26–24 | ||
| Pts: Isiah Thomas23 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer19 Asts: Isiah Thomas9 |
Pts: Reggie Miller22 Rebs: LaSalle Thompson8 Asts: Reggie Miller4 | |
| Detroit wins series, 3–0 | ||
Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Detroit won 4–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Pacers.[1]
April 26 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 106, Philadelphia 76ers 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–22, 28–23, 33–40, 24–26 | ||
| Pts: Hot Rod Williams23 Rebs: Hot Rod Williams10 Asts: Mark Price12 |
Pts: Charles Barkley38 Rebs: Charles Barkley21 Asts: Johnny Dawkins9 | |
| Philadelphia leads series, 1–0 | ||
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
April 29 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 101, Philadelphia 76ers 107 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–32, 33–24, 19–26, 23–25 | ||
| Pts: Mark Price27 Rebs: Brad Daugherty13 Asts: Craig Ehlo8 |
Pts: Charles Barkley32 Rebs: Rick Mahorn9 Asts: Johnny Dawkins11 | |
| Philadelphia leads series, 2–0 | ||
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
May 1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers 95, Cleveland Cavaliers 122 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 15–32, 32–28, 17–35, 31–27 | ||
| Pts: Hersey Hawkins19 Rebs: Charles Barkley11 Asts: Johnny Dawkins7 |
Pts: Craig Ehlo25 Rebs: Ehlo, Daugherty 10 each Asts: Ehlo, Daugherty 9 each | |
| Philadelphia leads series, 2–1 | ||
Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio |
May 3 |
| Philadelphia 76ers 96, Cleveland Cavaliers 108 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–34, 27–26, 32–26, 14–22 | ||
| Pts: Charles Barkley23 Rebs: Barkley, Mahorn 11 each Asts: Johnny Dawkins10 |
Pts: Brad Daugherty34 Rebs: Brad Daugherty9 Asts: Mark Price18 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, Ohio |
May 5 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 97, Philadelphia 76ers 113 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–38, 20–21, 23–33, 25–21 | ||
| Pts: Brad Daugherty25 Rebs: Hot Rod Williams13 Asts: Craig Ehlo5 |
Pts: Hersey Hawkins39 Rebs: Charles Barkley19 Asts: Johnny Dawkins14 | |
| Philadelphia wins series, 3–2 | ||
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the first playoff meeting between the Cavaliers and the 76ers.[2]
April 27 |
| Milwaukee Bucks 97, Chicago Bulls 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–26, 25–28, 22–25, 23–32 | ||
| Pts: Alvin Robertson22 Rebs: Brad Lohaus7 Asts: Jay Humphries12 |
Pts: Michael Jordan38 Rebs: Scottie Pippen10 Asts: Scottie Pippen13 | |
| Chicago leads series, 1–0 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
April 29 |
| Milwaukee Bucks 102, Chicago Bulls 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 18–33, 34–18, 23–28, 27–30 | ||
| Pts: Paul Pressey25 Rebs: Greg Anderson10 Asts: Paul Pressey12 |
Pts: Michael Jordan36 Rebs: Michael Jordan9 Asts: Michael Jordan11 | |
| Chicago leads series, 2–0 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
May 1 |
| Chicago Bulls 112, Milwaukee Bucks 119 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–27, 29–31, 25–32, 27–29 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan48 Rebs: Horace Grant11 Asts: Scottie Pippen9 |
Pts: Alvin Robertson38 Rebs: Alvin Robertson8 Asts: Paul Pressey12 | |
| Chicago leads series, 2–1 | ||
Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
May 3 |
| Chicago Bulls 110, Milwaukee Bucks86 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–20, 29–19, 28–21, 26–26 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan25 Rebs: Horace Grant14 Asts: Michael Jordan5 |
Pts: Alvin Robertson20 Rebs: Lohaus, Anderson 8 each Asts: Alvin Robertson4 | |
| Chicago wins series, 3–1 | ||
Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Chicago won 4–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bucks winning the first two meetings.
| Milwaukee leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||
April 26 |
| New York Knicks 105, Boston Celtics 116 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–28, 29–29, 21–31, 25–28 | ||
| Pts: Patrick Ewing22 Rebs: Patrick Ewing9 Asts: Maurice Cheeks9 |
Pts: Larry Bird24 Rebs: Larry Bird18 Asts: Larry Bird10 | |
| Boston leads series, 1–0 | ||
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
April 28 |
| New York Knicks 128, Boston Celtics 157 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 38–41, 21–33, 34–42, 35–41 | ||
| Pts: Patrick Ewing28 Rebs: Charles Oakley9 Asts: Gerald Wilkins7 |
Pts: Kevin McHale31 Rebs: Robert Parish16 Asts: Larry Bird16 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–0 | ||
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
May 2 |
| Boston Celtics 99, New York Knicks 102 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–28, 20–24, 31–29, 20–21 | ||
| Pts: Larry Bird31 Rebs: Robert Parish10 Asts: Larry Bird8 |
Pts: Patrick Ewing33 Rebs: Patrick Ewing19 Asts: Maurice Cheeks11 | |
| Boston leads series, 2–1 | ||
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York |
May 4 |
| Boston Celtics 108, New York Knicks 135 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–36, 27–29, 28–32, 23–38 | ||
| Pts: Kevin McHale24 Rebs: Larry Bird8 Asts: Johnson, Bagley 6 each |
Pts: Patrick Ewing44 Rebs: Patrick Ewing13 Asts: Maurice Cheeks12 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York |
May 6 |
| New York Knicks 121, Boston Celtics 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–32, 26–22, 37–29, 34–31 | ||
| Pts: Patrick Ewing31 Rebs: Charles Oakley17 Asts: Patrick Ewing10 |
Pts: Larry Bird31 Rebs: Bird, Parish 9 each Asts: Dennis Johnson10 | |
| New York wins series, 3–2 | ||
Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Boston won 4–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the 13th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning seven of the first 12 meetings.
| Boston leads 7–5 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April 27 |
| Houston Rockets 89, Los Angeles Lakers 101 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–21, 22–22, 18–26, 22–32 | ||
| Pts: Otis Thorpe21 Rebs: Hakeem Olajuwon14 Asts: Sleepy Floyd8 |
Pts: James Worthy34 Rebs: James Worthy11 Asts: Magic Johnson14 | |
| LA Lakers lead series, 1–0 | ||
Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California |
April 29 |
| Houston Rockets 100, Los Angeles Lakers 104 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 33–30, 32–18, 17–27, 18–29 | ||
| Pts: Sleepy Floyd27 Rebs: Hakeem Olajuwon11 Asts: Sleepy Floyd8 |
Pts: James Worthy32 Rebs: Magic Johnson7 Asts: Magic Johnson14 | |
| LA Lakers lead series, 2–0 | ||
Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California |
May 1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers 108, Houston Rockets 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–31, 26–29, 34–32, 18–22 | ||
| Pts: James Worthy26 Rebs: Magic Johnson8 Asts: Magic Johnson18 |
Pts: Otis Thorpe27 Rebs: Otis Thorpe8 Asts: Sleepy Floyd18 | |
| LA Lakers lead series, 2–1 | ||
The Summit, Houston, Texas |
May 3 |
| Los Angeles Lakers 109, Houston Rockets88 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–25, 29–27, 24–23, 29–13 | ||
| Pts: James Worthy20 Rebs: James Worthy7 Asts: Magic Johnson8 |
Pts: Hakeem Olajuwon28 Rebs: Hakeem Olajuwon10 Asts: Sleepy Floyd10 | |
| LA Lakers win series, 3–1 | ||
The Summit, Houston, Texas |
| Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the first two meetings.
| Houston leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||
April 26 |
| Denver Nuggets 103, San Antonio Spurs 119 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–28, 26–28, 21–25, 34–38 | ||
| Pts: Todd Lichti22 Rebs: Todd Lichti13 Asts: Lichti, Adams 8 each |
Pts: Willie Anderson27 Rebs: David Robinson13 Asts: Rod Strickland9 | |
| San Antonio leads series, 1–0 | ||
HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas |
April 28 |
| Denver Nuggets 120, San Antonio Spurs 129 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 33–41, 29–26, 33–29, 25–33 | ||
| Pts: Fat Lever26 Rebs: Fat Lever16 Asts: Fat Lever9 |
Pts: David Robinson31 Rebs: Terry Cummings13 Asts: Rod Strickland13 | |
| San Antonio leads series, 2–0 | ||
HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas |
May 1 |
| San Antonio Spurs 131, Denver Nuggets 120 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–27, 34–26, 32–35, 34–32 | ||
| Pts: Terry Cummings28 Rebs: David Robinson16 Asts: Rod Strickland9 |
Pts: Alex English24 Rebs: Lever, Rasmussen 10 each Asts: Fat Lever8 | |
| San Antonio wins series, 3–0 | ||
McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado |
| San Antonio won 3–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.
| Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||
April 26 |
| Dallas Mavericks 102, Portland Trail Blazers 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–28, 23–27, 16–22, 35–32 | ||
| Pts: Derek Harper24 Rebs: Roy Tarpley14 Asts: Derek Harper7 |
Pts: Terry Porter28 Rebs: Buck Williams16 Asts: Drexler, Porter 5 each | |
| Portland leads series, 1–0 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
April 28 |
| Dallas Mavericks 107, Portland Trail Blazers 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 38–24, 27–39, 18–27, 24–24 | ||
| Pts: Derek Harper23 Rebs: Roy Tarpley17 Asts: Rolando Blackman5 |
Pts: Kevin Duckworth18 Rebs: Buck Williams13 Asts: Clyde Drexler7 | |
| Portland leads series, 2–0 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 106, Dallas Mavericks92 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 34–28, 24–15, 18–26, 30–23 | ||
| Pts: Jerome Kersey29 Rebs: Buck Williams10 Asts: Clyde Drexler10 |
Pts: Rolando Blackman23 Rebs: Roy Tarpley15 Asts: Derek Harper12 | |
| Portland wins series, 3–0 | ||
Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas |
| Portland won 4–0 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Trail Blazers winning the first meeting.
| Portland leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||
April 27 |
| Phoenix Suns 96, Utah Jazz 113 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–27, 23–31, 20–25, 29–30 | ||
| Pts: Dan Majerle23 Rebs: Kurt Rambis9 Asts: Jeff Hornacek6 |
Pts: Karl Malone21 Rebs: Karl Malone11 Asts: John Stockton17 | |
| Utah leads series, 1–0 | ||
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah |
April 29 |
| Phoenix Suns 105, Utah Jazz87 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 33–21, 24–22, 25–21, 23–23 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Johnson22 Rebs: Mark West21 Asts: Kevin Johnson7 |
Pts: Karl Malone20 Rebs: Karl Malone10 Asts: John Stockton8 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah |
May 2 |
| Utah Jazz 105, Phoenix Suns 120 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–25, 33–31, 26–34, 24–30 | ||
| Pts: Thurl Bailey30 Rebs: Karl Malone11 Asts: John Stockton19 |
Pts: Kevin Johnson29 Rebs: Mark West10 Asts: Kevin Johnson12 | |
| Phoenix leads series, 2–1 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
May 4 |
| Utah Jazz 105, Phoenix Suns94 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–22, 25–26, 30–21, 26–25 | ||
| Pts: Karl Malone33 Rebs: Karl Malone11 Asts: John Stockton14 |
Pts: Eddie Johnson33 Rebs: Mark West11 Asts: Kevin Johnson13 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
May 6 |
| Phoenix Suns 104, Utah Jazz 102 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–22, 26–31, 25–23, 30–26 | ||
| Pts: Tom Chambers32 Rebs: Mark West11 Asts: Kevin Johnson9 |
Pts: Bailey, Malone 26 each Rebs: Mark Eaton9 Asts: John Stockton17 | |
| Phoenix wins series, 3–2 | ||
Salt Palace, Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Phoenix won 3–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first meeting.
| Phoenix leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||
May 8 |
| New York Knicks 77, Detroit Pistons 112 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–23, 18–26, 15–35, 24–28 | ||
| Pts: Patrick Ewing19 Rebs: Eddie Lee Wilkins8 Asts: Maurice Cheeks6 |
Pts: Isiah Thomas21 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer13 Asts: Isiah Thomas7 | |
| Detroit leads series, 1–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
May 10 |
| New York Knicks 97, Detroit Pistons 104 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–24, 26–34, 24–23, 19–23 | ||
| Pts: Gerald Wilkins24 Rebs: Charles Oakley15 Asts: Maurice Cheeks8 |
Pts: James Edwards32 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer13 Asts: Isiah Thomas12 | |
| Detroit leads series, 2–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
May 12 |
| Detroit Pistons 103, New York Knicks 111 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–34, 28–28, 22–20, 26–29 | ||
| Pts: Isiah Thomas20 Rebs: Dennis Rodman8 Asts: Isiah Thomas6 |
Pts: Patrick Ewing45 Rebs: Charles Oakley20 Asts: Maurice Cheeks12 | |
| Detroit leads series, 2–1 | ||
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York |
May 13 |
| Detroit Pistons 102, New York Knicks90 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–23, 24–19, 23–21, 28–27 | ||
| Pts: James Edwards19 Rebs: Dennis Rodman14 Asts: Isiah Thomas11 |
Pts: Patrick Ewing30 Rebs: Charles Oakley14 Asts: Cheeks, Jackson 6 each | |
| Detroit leads series, 3–1 | ||
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York |
May 15 |
| New York Knicks 84, Detroit Pistons 95 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–20, 21–31, 14–18, 21–26 | ||
| Pts: Patrick Ewing22 Rebs: Patrick Ewing14 Asts: Maurice Cheeks9 |
Pts: Mark Aguirre25 Rebs: Dennis Rodman11 Asts: Isiah Thomas6 | |
| Detroit wins series, 4–1 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
| Detroit won 4–0 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.
| New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||
May 7 |
| Philadelphia 76ers 85, Chicago Bulls 96 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 21–33, 26–20, 18–20, 20–23 | ||
| Pts: Charles Barkley30 Rebs: Charles Barkley20 Asts: three players 4 each |
Pts: Michael Jordan39 Rebs: Horace Grant12 Asts: Scottie Pippen12 | |
| Chicago leads series, 1–0 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
May 9 |
| Philadelphia 76ers 96, Chicago Bulls 101 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 30–25, 27–21, 20–32, 19–23 | ||
| Pts: Hersey Hawkins23 Rebs: Charles Barkley19 Asts: Johnny Dawkins13 |
Pts: Michael Jordan45 Rebs: Grant, Pippen 9 each Asts: Michael Jordan7 | |
| Chicago leads series, 2–0 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
May 11 |
| Chicago Bulls 112, Philadelphia 76ers 118 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 14–33, 27–30, 26–24, 45–31 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan49 Rebs: Ed Nealy7 Asts: B. J. Armstrong7 |
Pts: Charles Barkley34 Rebs: Charles Barkley20 Asts: Charles Barkley8 | |
| Chicago leads series, 2–1 | ||
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
May 13 |
| Chicago Bulls 111, Philadelphia 76ers 101 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–20, 24–25, 27–31, 34–15 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan45 Rebs: Grant, Nealy 9 each Asts: Michael Jordan11 |
Pts: Hersey Hawkins26 Rebs: Charles Barkley13 Asts: Hersey Hawkins6 | |
| Chicago leads series, 3–1 | ||
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
May 16 |
| Philadelphia 76ers 99, Chicago Bulls 117 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–28, 32–34, 18–27, 18–28 | ||
| Pts: Ron Anderson20 Rebs: Charles Barkley13 Asts: Johnny Dawkins15 |
Pts: Michael Jordan37 Rebs: Michael Jordan9 Asts: John Paxson9 | |
| Chicago wins series, 4–1 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
| Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the first playoff meeting between the Bulls and the 76ers.[10]
May 8 |
| Phoenix Suns 104, Los Angeles Lakers 102 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–26, 22–25, 25–33, 26–18 | ||
| Pts: Tom Chambers26 Rebs: Mark West16 Asts: Kevin Johnson12 |
Pts: M. Johnson, Worthy 22 each Rebs: A.C. Green13 Asts: Magic Johnson14 | |
| Phoenix leads series, 1–0 | ||
Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California |
May 10 |
| Phoenix Suns 100, Los Angeles Lakers 124 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–33, 28–30, 25–34, 27–27 | ||
| Pts: Jeff Hornacek18 Rebs: five players 5 each Asts: Kevin Johnson12 |
Pts: James Worthy27 Rebs: A.C. Green13 Asts: Magic Johnson14 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California |
May 12 |
| Los Angeles Lakers 103, Phoenix Suns 117 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 29–26, 20–25, 25–37, 29–29 | ||
| Pts: James Worthy27 Rebs: A.C. Green10 Asts: Magic Johnson16 |
Pts: Tom Chambers34 Rebs: Chambers, K. Johnson 7 each Asts: Kevin Johnson8 | |
| Phoenix leads series, 2–1 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
May 13 |
| Los Angeles Lakers 101, Phoenix Suns 114 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–36, 26–26, 31–22, 22–30 | ||
| Pts: Magic Johnson43 Rebs: A.C. Green18 Asts: Magic Johnson10 |
Pts: Kevin Johnson30 Rebs: Mark West15 Asts: Kevin Johnson16 | |
| Phoenix leads series, 3–1 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
May 15 |
| Phoenix Suns 106, Los Angeles Lakers 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–35, 33–26, 24–19, 29–23 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Johnson37 Rebs: Mark West16 Asts: Kevin Johnson8 |
Pts: Magic Johnson43 Rebs: M. Johnson, Divac 8 each Asts: Magic Johnson7 | |
| Phoenix wins series, 4–1 | ||
Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California |
| Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first six meetings.
| Los Angeles leads 6–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 5 |
| San Antonio Spurs 94, Portland Trail Blazers 107 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–31, 30–21, 22–26, 20–29 | ||
| Pts: Frank Brickowski20 Rebs: David Robinson9 Asts: Rod Strickland9 |
Pts: Jerome Kersey25 Rebs: Jerome Kersey16 Asts: Clyde Drexler11 | |
| Portland leads series, 1–0 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 8 |
| San Antonio Spurs 112, Portland Trail Blazers 122 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–27, 28–36, 22–34, 35–25 | ||
| Pts: Terry Cummings33 Rebs: David Robinson8 Asts: Rod Strickland14 |
Pts: Terry Porter27 Rebs: Buck Williams8 Asts: Clyde Drexler8 | |
| Portland leads series, 2–0 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 10 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 98, San Antonio Spurs 121 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–27, 23–34, 27–25, 26–35 | ||
| Pts: Porter, Williams 18 each Rebs: Clifford Robinson8 Asts: Clyde Drexler9 |
Pts: David Robinson28 Rebs: Strickland, Cummings 9 each Asts: Rod Strickland17 | |
| Portland leads series, 2–1 | ||
HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas |
May 12 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 105, San Antonio Spurs 115 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 33–25, 18–37, 20–24, 34–29 | ||
| Pts: Clyde Drexler27 Rebs: Buck Williams10 Asts: Clyde Drexler7 |
Pts: Terry Cummings35 Rebs: Terry Cummings11 Asts: Rod Strickland14 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas |
May 15 |
| San Antonio Spurs 132, Portland Trail Blazers 138 (2OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–41, 26–31, 34–27, 32–20, Overtime: 7–7, 6–12 | ||
| Pts: Terry Cummings32 Rebs: David Robinson15 Asts: Rod Strickland7 |
Pts: Terry Porter38 Rebs: Kersey, Williams 10 each Asts: Clyde Drexler9 | |
| Portland leads series, 3–2 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 17 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 97, San Antonio Spurs 112 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 27–26, 14–26, 24–25, 32–35 | ||
| Pts: Jerome Kersey22 Rebs: Buck Williams10 Asts: Clyde Drexler7 |
Pts: Willie Anderson30 Rebs: David Robinson13 Asts: Rod Strickland12 | |
| Series tied, 3–3 | ||
HemisFair Arena, San Antonio, Texas |
May 19 |
| San Antonio Spurs 105, Portland Trail Blazers 108 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–31, 22–21, 26–21, 25–24, Overtime: 8–11 | ||
| Pts: Terry Cummings27 Rebs: David Robinson16 Asts: Rod Strickland8 |
Pts: Terry Porter36 Rebs: Williams, Kersey 15 each Asts: Terry Porter9 | |
| Portland wins series, 4–3 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
| Portland won 3–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the first playoff meeting between the Trail Blazers and the Spurs.[12]
May 20 |
| Chicago Bulls 77, Detroit Pistons 86 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 21–15, 17–28, 17–19 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan34 Rebs: Horace Grant9 Asts: Michael Jordan5 |
Pts: Joe Dumars27 Rebs: Dennis Rodman13 Asts: Isiah Thomas6 | |
| Detroit leads series, 1–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
May 22 |
| Chicago Bulls 93, Detroit Pistons 102 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 18–27, 20–26, 31–21, 24–28 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan20 Rebs: Horace Grant9 Asts: Michael Jordan7 |
Pts: Joe Dumars31 Rebs: Laimbeer, Johnson 8 each Asts: Thomas, Johnson 7 each | |
| Detroit leads series, 2–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
May 26 |
| Detroit Pistons 102, Chicago Bulls 107 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 19–24, 32–19, 26–33, 25–31 | ||
| Pts: Isiah Thomas36 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer8 Asts: Isiah Thomas8 |
Pts: Michael Jordan47 Rebs: Pippen, Grant 11 each Asts: Scottie Pippen5 | |
| Detroit leads series, 2–1 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
May 28 |
| Detroit Pistons 101, Chicago Bulls 108 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 16–28, 19–23, 33–20, 33–37 | ||
| Pts: Isiah Thomas26 Rebs: Dennis Rodman20 Asts: Isiah Thomas8 |
Pts: Michael Jordan42 Rebs: Horace Grant13 Asts: Michael Jordan9 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
May 30 |
| Chicago Bulls 83, Detroit Pistons 97 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 25–25, 16–21, 23–26, 19–25 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan22 Rebs: Horace Grant12 Asts: Michael Jordan8 |
Pts: Joe Dumars20 Rebs: John Salley10 Asts: Isiah Thomas10 | |
| Detroit leads series, 3–2 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
June 1 |
| Detroit Pistons 91, Chicago Bulls 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 20–21, 24–26, 19–33, 28–29 | ||
| Pts: Joe Dumars23 Rebs: Rodman, Laimbeer 8 each Asts: Isiah Thomas10 |
Pts: Michael Jordan29 Rebs: Horace Grant14 Asts: Pippen, Grant 5 each | |
| Series tied, 3–3 | ||
Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois |
June 3 |
| Chicago Bulls 76, Detroit Pistons 93 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 19–17, 16–31, 26–21, 15–24 | ||
| Pts: Michael Jordan33 Rebs: Horace Grant14 Asts: Michael Jordan9 |
Pts: Isiah Thomas21 Rebs: Mark Aguirre10 Asts: Isiah Thomas11 | |
| Detroit wins series, 4–3 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
| Detroit won 4–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning two of the first three meetings.
| Detroit leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||
May 21 |
| Phoenix Suns 98, Portland Trail Blazers 100 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–24, 22–26, 32–34, 18–16 | ||
| Pts: Tom Chambers29 Rebs: Mark West12 Asts: Kevin Johnson11 |
Pts: Clyde Drexler20 Rebs: Jerome Kersey11 Asts: Terry Porter9 | |
| Portland leads series, 1–0 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 23 |
| Phoenix Suns 107, Portland Trail Blazers 108 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–17, 31–24, 32–41, 16–26 | ||
| Pts: Tom Chambers28 Rebs: Tom Chambers14 Asts: Kevin Johnson8 |
Pts: Jerome Kersey29 Rebs: Jerome Kersey11 Asts: Clyde Drexler6 | |
| Portland leads series, 2–0 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 25 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 89, Phoenix Suns 123 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 18–40, 25–31, 17–32, 29–20 | ||
| Pts: Jerome Kersey16 Rebs: Mark Bryant7 Asts: Clyde Drexler6 |
Pts: Tom Chambers24 Rebs: Andrew Lang10 Asts: Kevin Johnson12 | |
| Portland leads series, 2–1 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
May 27 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 107, Phoenix Suns 119 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 28–27, 22–29, 26–33, 31–30 | ||
| Pts: Jerome Kersey29 Rebs: Buck Williams8 Asts: Terry Porter12 |
Pts: Kevin Johnson28 Rebs: Mark West12 Asts: Kevin Johnson17 | |
| Series tied, 2–2 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
May 29 |
| Phoenix Suns 114, Portland Trail Blazers 120 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 24–31, 33–33, 27–27, 30–29 | ||
| Pts: Kevin Johnson28 Rebs: Tom Chambers13 Asts: Kevin Johnson14 |
Pts: Clyde Drexler32 Rebs: Jerome Kersey11 Asts: Terry Porter12 | |
| Portland leads series, 3–2 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
May 31 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 112, Phoenix Suns 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–34, 28–29, 25–26, 28–20 | ||
| Pts: Drexler, Porter 23 each Rebs: Buck Williams11 Asts: Drexler, Porter 7 each |
Pts: Jeff Hornacek36 Rebs: Kurt Rambis12 Asts: Hornacek, Johnson 6 each | |
| Portland wins series, 4–2 | ||
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona |
| Portland won 3–2 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first two meetings.
| Phoenix leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||
June 5 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 99, Detroit Pistons 105 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 33–24, 19–23, 28–29, 19–29 | ||
| Pts: Clyde Drexler21 Rebs: Buck Williams12 Asts: Terry Porter8 |
Pts: Isiah Thomas33 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer15 Asts: Isiah Thomas6 | |
| Detroit leads series, 1–0 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
June 7 |
| Portland Trail Blazers 106, Detroit Pistons 105 (OT) | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 23–30, 30–15, 22–24, 19–25, Overtime: 12–11 | ||
| Pts: Clyde Drexler33 Rebs: Buck Williams12 Asts: Terry Porter10 |
Pts: Edwards, Laimbeer 26 each Rebs: Bill Laimbeer11 Asts: Isiah Thomas11 | |
| Series tied, 1–1 | ||
The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan |
June 10 |
| Detroit Pistons 121, Portland Trail Blazers 106 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 31–27, 27–24, 32–31, 31–24 | ||
| Pts: Joe Dumars33 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer12 Asts: Isiah Thomas8 |
Pts: Jerome Kersey27 Rebs: Clyde Drexler13 Asts: Terry Porter9 | |
| Detroit leads series, 2–1 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
June 12 |
| Detroit Pistons 112, Portland Trail Blazers 109 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–32, 29–14, 32–27, 29–36 | ||
| Pts: Isiah Thomas32 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer12 Asts: Isiah Thomas5 |
Pts: Clyde Drexler34 Rebs: Drexler, Kersey 8 each Asts: Clyde Drexler10 | |
| Detroit leads series, 3–1 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
June 14 |
| Detroit Pistons 92, Portland Trail Blazers90 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 26–22, 20–20, 19–27, 27–21 | ||
| Pts: Isiah Thomas29 Rebs: Bill Laimbeer17 Asts: Joe Dumars7 |
Pts: Duckworth, Porter 21 each Rebs: Jerome Kersey9 Asts: Terry Porter9 | |
| Detroit wins series, 4–1 | ||
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon |
| Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||
This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Trail Blazers.[15]
| Category | Game High | Average | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Team | High | Player | Team | Avg. | GP | |
| Points | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 49 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 36.7 | 16 |
| Rebounds | Mark West Charles Barkley |
Phoenix Suns Philadelphia 76ers |
21 | Charles Barkley | Philadelphia 76ers | 15.5 | 10 |
| Assists | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 19 | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 15.0 | 5 |
| Steals | Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks | 7 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 2.8 | 16 |
| Blocks | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 10 | Hakeem Olajuwon | Houston Rockets | 5.8 | 4 |