Lakers–Pistons rivalry

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Lakers–Pistons rivalry
Los Angeles Lakers
Detroit Pistons
First meetingDecember 1, 1948
Pistons 84, Lakers 74
Latest meetingDecember 23, 2024
Lakers 114, Pistons 117
Statistics
Meetings total397
All-time series240–157 (LAL)
Regular season series214–136 (LAL)
Postseason results26–21 (LAL)
Longest win streakLAL W13
Current win streakDET W2
Postseason history

The Lakers–Pistons rivalry is an American

rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons. This rivalry, which was showcased three times in the NBA Finals (1988, 1989, 2004), pitted the All-Star
filled Lakers teams against the blue collar, team-first oriented Pistons squads. Despite playing the role of underdog in all three of their final round meetings with Los Angeles, Detroit enjoyed significant success against the Lakers, claiming the NBA title against them twice.

History

1950–1962

Prior to facing each other in the 1988, 1989, and 2004 Finals, the Lakers and Pistons squared off in nine postseason series between 1950 and 1962. Both teams originally came from the NBL, one of two predecessors of the NBA. The Lakers were originally the Detroit Gems before moving to Minneapolis, while the Pistons were originally based in Fort Wayne, Indiana before moving to Detroit.

The Lakers, featuring stars such as George Mikan, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West, defeated the Pistons of Andy Phillip, George Yardley, and Earl Lloyd in eight of the nine playoff meetings. The Lakers would appear in seven NBA Finals and won five titles during that era. The only Pistons victory came in the 1955 playoffs, en route to their first of two consecutive trips to the NBA Finals.

After 1962, the Pistons declined from prominence and would not return to title contention until the mid-1980s with the arrivals of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and coach Chuck Daly. Meanwhile, the Lakers appeared in 12 of the next 25 NBA Finals and won five titles behind players such as Baylor, West, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Prior to 1978, the Pistons and Lakers were both members of the Western Division/Conference in all but three seasons. Detroit moved to the Eastern Conference before the 1978–79 season, and both teams are currently guaranteed to meet only twice per season.

1988

The Lakers and Pistons renewed their acquaintances in the

NBA Finals MVP
for his efforts.

1989

Both the Pistons and Lakers were considered to be the two best teams in the NBA entering the

Byron Scott and Johnson both suffered season-ending hamstring injuries. The Pistons' physical style of play and superior defense also proved to be too much for the Lakers to overcome, as Detroit swept Los Angeles in 4 games and captured their 1st ever NBA Championship. Pistons shooting guard Joe Dumars was awarded NBA Finals MVP honors. After the series, Abdul-Jabbar retired. The series would also turn out to be the final time that Pat Riley would make an appearance in the NBA Finals as head coach of the Lakers. This also marked the first time that the NBA Finals ended in a 4-game sweep since the Finals went to the current 2–3–2 format back in 1985. The Pistons successfully defended their crown the following season. They defeated the Trail Blazers in the 1990 NBA Finals
4–1 to repeat as NBA champions.

2004

A whole new of generation of Pistons and Lakers would meet as they squared off again in the

Hall of Fame players, the Pistons beat L.A. by using players that nobody else wanted. Chauncey Billups
, the Pistons' point guard, won the NBA Finals MVP Award. Billups became the first Finals MVP recipient since former Pistons star Joe Dumars to have won the award before making his first NBA All-Star team. Like Dumars, Billups would eventually go on to make multiple appearances in the NBA All-Star Game.

2021: Malice at the Palace 2

On November 21, 2021, two days after the 17th anniversary of the infamous Malice at the Palace, the rivalry got reignited following a brawl that occurred during a game in Detroit. The incident occurred in the third quarter when the Lakers' LeBron James and the Pistons' Isaiah Stewart were jostling for position during a free throw. Their arms appeared to get intertwined and James swung his elbow, striking Stewart, who quickly had blood streaming from above his eye. Stewart was guided away from the spot where the contact occurred by teammates and coaches, though he appeared to become more incensed along the way. He then tried to double back multiple times and run toward James. Stewart was assessed two technical fouls, while James was assessed a flagrant foul 2, and both players were ejected. The next day the NBA announced James had been suspended one game for "recklessly hitting" Pistons' center Stewart in the face during their altercation, while Stewart had been suspended two games for "escalating an on-court altercation by repeatedly and aggressively pursuing" James.[3]

Season-by-season results

Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers vs. Fort Wayne Pistons/Detroit Pistons Season-by-Season Results
1940s (Lakers, 8–4)
Season Season series at
Minneapolis Lakers
 at
Fort Wayne Pistons
 at Neutral Site Overall series Notes
1948–49
 Lakers 4–2 Lakers, 3–0 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 4–2 Lakers and Pistons join the Basketball Association of America (BAA) from the National Basketball League (NBL) and are placed in the Western Division.
Lakers win 1949 BAA Finals.
1949–50 Lakers 4–2 Lakers, 3–0 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 8–4 Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League merge to become the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Lakers and Pistons briefly join the Central Division.
1950s (Lakers, 68–60)
Season Season series at
Minneapolis Lakers
 at Fort Wayne Pistons/Detroit Pistons at Neutral Site Overall series Notes
1950 Central Division Finals Lakers 2–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 10–4 1st NBA playoff meeting.
Lakers would go on to win 1950 NBA Finals.
1950–51 Pistons 5–3 Lakers, 2–1 Pistons, 4–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 13–9 Lakers and Pistons move back to the Western Division. Neutral site game was played at Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lakers finish with the best record in the league (44–24).
1951–52 Pistons 5–4 Lakers, 2–1 Pistons, 4–1 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 17–14 Neutral site game was played at St. Paul Auditorium, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lakers win 1952 NBA Finals.
1952–53 Lakers 9–1 Lakers, 3–0 Lakers, 3–1 Lakers, 3–0 Lakers, 26–15 Neutral site games were played at

Lakers finish with the best record in the league (48–22).

1953 Western Division Finals Lakers 3–2 Lakers, 3–0 Pistons, 2–0 Lakers, 29–17 2nd NBA playoff meeting.
Lakers would go on to win 1953 NBA Finals.
1953–54 Tie 5–5 Lakers, 3–1 Pistons, 3–1 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 34–22 Neutral site games were played at
1954 Western Division Round-Robin Lakers 2–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 36–22 Only season in NBA history to use round-robin playoff format. Lakers advance by finishing first, while the Pistons were eliminated, finishing last.
Lakers would go on to win 1954 NBA Finals.
1954–55 Pistons 9–3 Lakers, 2–1 Pistons, 3–1 Pistons, 5–0 Lakers, 39–31 Neutral site games were played at

Pistons finish with the best record in the league (tied with the Syracuse Nationals) (43–29).

1955 Western Division Finals Pistons 3–1 Tie, 1–1 Pistons, 2–0 Lakers, 40–34 3rd NBA playoff meeting, first series win for the Pistons.
Pistons would go on to lose 1955 NBA Finals.
1955–56 Lakers 7–5 Lakers, 4–1 Pistons, 4–1 Lakers, 2–0 Lakers, 47–39 Neutral site games were played at
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • St. Louis, Missouri
    .

Pistons lose 1956 NBA Finals.

1956–57 Pistons 7–5 Tie, 2–2 Pistons, 4–1 Lakers, 2–1 Lakers, 52–46 Neutral site games were played at
1957 Western Division Semifinals Lakers 2–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 54–46 4th NBA playoff meeting.
Last season Pistons played as a Fort Wayne team.
1957–58 Tie 6–6 Pistons, 3–2 Lakers, 3–1 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 60–52 Neutral site games were played at
  • Madison Square Garden (III)
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center.

Pistons relocate to Detroit.

1958–59 Lakers 8–4 Lakers, 3–2 Lakers, 4–0 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 68–56 Neutral site games were played at
  • Madison Square Garden (III)
  • Madison Square Garden (III)
  • Kiel Auditorium

Elgin Baylor makes his debut for the Lakers.

1959 Western Division Semifinals Lakers 2–1 Lakers, 2–0 Pistons, 1–0 Lakers, 70–57 5th NBA playoff meeting, first for the Pistons in Detroit.
Lakers would go on to lose 1959 NBA Finals.
1959–60 Pistons 7–6 Lakers, 3–2 Tie, 3–3 Pistons, 2–0 Lakers, 76–64 Neutral site games were played at
  • Madison Square Garden (III)
  • St. Paul Auditorium
1960s (Lakers, 74–36)
Season Season series at Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons at Neutral site Overall series Notes
1960 Western Division Semifinals Lakers 2–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 1–0 Lakers, 78–64 6th NBA playoff meeting.
Last season Lakers played as a Minneapolis team.
1960–61 Lakers 9–4 Lakers, 3–0 Lakers, 3–2 Lakers, 3–2 Lakers, 87–68 Neutral site games were played at

Lakers relocate to Los Angeles. Jerry West makes his debut for the Lakers.

1961 Western Division Semifinals Lakers 3–2 Lakers, 3–0 Pistons, 2–0 Lakers, 90–70 7th NBA playoff meeting, first for the Lakers in Los Angeles.
1961–62 Lakers 8–4 Lakers, 4–0 Lakers, 3–2 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 98–74 Neutral site games were played at
  • Madison Square Garden (III)
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • War Memorial Coliseum
1962 Western Division Finals Lakers 4–2 Lakers, 2–1 Lakers, 2–1 Lakers, 102–76 8th NBA playoff meeting.
Lakers record their 100th win over the Pistons.
Lakers would go on to lose 1962 NBA Finals.
1962–63 Lakers 11–1 Lakers, 4–0 Lakers, 4–1 Lakers, 3–0 Lakers, 113–77 Neutral site games were played at
1963–64 Lakers 7–5 Lakers, 3–2 Lakers, 3–1 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 120–82 Neutral site games were played at
1964–65 Lakers 7–3 Lakers, 3–1 Lakers, 4–0 Pistons, 2–0 Lakers, 127–85 Neutral site games were played at
1965–66 Lakers 8–2 Lakers, 4–1 Lakers, 4–0 Pistons, 1–0 Lakers, 135–87 Neutral site game was played at War Memorial Coliseum. Lakers lose 1966 NBA Finals.
1966–67 Pistons 5–4 Tie, 2–2 Pistons, 2–1 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 139–92 Neutral site games were played at
1967–68 Lakers 5–2 Lakers, 4–0 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 144–94 Pistons move to the Eastern Division. Last season Lakers played at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. On December 31, 1967, Lakers open The Forum.
Lakers lose the 1968 NBA Finals.
1968–69 Tie 3–3 Lakers, 2–1 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 147–97 Lakers lose 1969 NBA Finals.
1969–70 Tie 3–3 Lakers, 2–1 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 150–100 Pistons record their 100th win over the Lakers. Lakers lose 1970 NBA Finals. Elgin Baylor played his final game in this rivalry on March 20, 1970. He missed all ten meetings across the next two seasons before retiring.
1970s (Lakers, 28–17)
Season Season series at Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Overall series Notes
1970–71 Lakers 3–2 Lakers, 2–1 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 153–102 Lakers are placed in the Western Conference and the Pacific Division.
Pistons move back to the Western Conference, but are placed in the Midwest Division.
1971–72 Lakers 4–1 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 3–0 Lakers, 157–103 Lakers finish with the best record in the league (69–13).
Lakers win 1972 NBA Finals.
1972–73 Lakers 5–1 Lakers, 3–0 Lakers, 2–1 Lakers, 162–104 Lakers lose 1973 NBA Finals.
1973–74 Pistons 4–2 Lakers, 2–1 Pistons, 3–0 Lakers, 164–108 Jerry West played his final game in this rivalry on December 2, 1973. He missed four meetings the rest of the season before retiring.
1974–75 Pistons 3–1 Pistons, 2–0 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 165–111
1975–76 Lakers 4–1 Lakers, 3–0 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 169–112 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes his debut for the Lakers.
1976–77 Lakers 3–1 Lakers, 2–0 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 172–113 Lakers finish with the best record in the league (53–29).
1977–78 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 174–115
1978–79 Tie 2–2 Tie, 1–1 Tie, 1–1 Lakers, 176–117 Pistons move from the Midwest Division in the Western Conference to the Central Division in the Eastern Conference. Last season where the Lakers and Pistons faced each other more than two games per season.
1979–80 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
138–122 		Lakers
123–100 		Lakers, 178–117 Magic Johnson make his debut for the Lakers.
Lakers win 1980 NBA Finals.
1980s (Lakers, 17–14)
Season Season series at Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Overall series Notes
1980–81 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
117–108 		Lakers
111–102 		Lakers, 180–117
1981–82 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
123–111 		Lakers
130–127 		Lakers, 182–117 Isiah Thomas makes his debut for the Pistons.
Lakers win 1982 NBA Finals.
1982–83 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
127–112 		Lakers
122–108 		Lakers, 184–117 Lakers lose 1983 NBA Finals.
1983–84 Tie 1–1 Pistons
121–118 		Lakers
118–114 		Lakers, 185–118 Lakers lose 1984 NBA Finals.
1984–85 Tie 1–1 Lakers
148–130 		Pistons
121–98 		Lakers, 186–119 Lakers win 1985 NBA Finals.
1985–86 Tie 1–1 Lakers
132–119 		Pistons
118–115 		Lakers, 187–120
1986–87 Tie 1–1 Lakers
128–111 		Pistons
119–114 		Lakers, 188–121 Lakers finish with the best record in the league (65–17). Lakers win 1987 NBA Finals.
1987–88 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
117–110 		Lakers
106–104 		Lakers, 190–121 Lakers finish with the best record in the league (62–20).
Last season Pistons play in the Pontiac Silverdome.
1988 NBA Finals Lakers 4–3 Lakers, 3–1 Pistons, 2–1 Lakers, 194–124 9th NBA playoff meeting, first in the NBA finals.
First and only time in the rivalry to go to game seven.
1988–89 Pistons 2–0 Pistons
110–96 		Pistons
119–110 		Lakers, 194–126 Pistons open up The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Pistons finish with the best record in the league (63–19).
1989 NBA Finals Pistons 4–0 Pistons, 2–0 Pistons, 2–0 Lakers, 194–130 10th NBA playoff meeting, second in the NBA finals.
First and only sweep in the rivalry.
Final season for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
1989–90 Tie 1–1 Pistons
108–97(OT) 		Lakers
107–97 		Lakers, 195–131 Lakers finish with the best record in the league (63–19).
Pistons win 1990 NBA Finals.
1990s (Lakers, 14–4)
Season Season series at Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Overall series Notes
1990–91 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
114–90 		Lakers
102–96 		Lakers, 197–131 Lakers lose 1991 NBA Finals.
1991–92 Pistons 2–0 Pistons
98–93 		Pistons
112–93 		Lakers, 197–133
1992–93 Tie 1–1 Pistons
106–101 		Lakers
123–121 		Lakers, 198–134
1993–94 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
105–97 		Lakers
99–93 		Lakers, 200–134 Lakers record their 200th win over the Pistons. Final season for Isiah Thomas.
1994–95 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
105–96 		Lakers
115–98 		Lakers, 202–134
1995–96 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
87–82 		Lakers
101–98 		Lakers, 204–134 Final season for Magic Johnson.
1996–97 Tie 1–1 Pistons
100–97(2OT) 		Lakers
109–102 		Lakers, 205–135 Kobe Bryant makes his debut for the Lakers.
1997–98 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
96–89 		Lakers
105–103(OT) 		Lakers, 207–135
1999–2000 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
101–93 		Lakers
110–82 		Lakers, 209–135 Due to a delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement, Lakers and Pistons did not play in the
Staples Center (now known as Crypto.com Arena).
Lakers finish with the best record in the league (67–15).
Lakers win 2000 NBA Finals
.
2000s (Pistons, 13–12)
Season Season series at Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Overall series Notes
2000–01 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
112–88 		Lakers
125–119(OT) 		Lakers, 211–135 Lakers win 2001 NBA Finals.
2001–02 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
94–82 		Lakers
121–92 		Lakers, 213–135 Lakers win 2002 NBA Finals.
2002–03 Tie 1–1 Lakers
95–85 		Pistons
111–88 		Lakers, 214–136
2003–04 Tie 1–1 Lakers
94–89 		Pistons
106–96 		Lakers, 215–137
2004 NBA Finals Pistons 4–1 Tie, 1–1 Pistons, 3–0 Lakers, 216–141 11th NBA playoff meeting, third in the NBA finals. First NBA Finals series in the rivalry to take place in the 21st century.
2004–05 Pistons 2–0 Pistons
111–90 		Pistons
103–81 		Lakers, 216–143 Pistons lose 2005 NBA Finals.
2005–06 Tie 1–1 Lakers
105–94 		Pistons
102–93 		Lakers, 217–144 Pistons finish with the best record in the league (64–18).
2006–07 Pistons 2–0 Pistons
97–83 		Pistons
93–78 		Lakers, 217–146
2007–08 Tie 1–1 Lakers
103–91 		Pistons
90–89 		Lakers, 218–147 Lakers lose 2008 NBA Finals.
2008–09 Tie 1–1 Pistons
106–95 		Lakers
92–77 		Lakers, 219–148 Lakers win 2009 NBA Finals.
2009–10 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
106–93 		Lakers
93–81 		Lakers, 221–148 Lakers win 2010 NBA Finals.
2010s (Lakers, 12–6)
Season Season series at Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Overall series Notes
2010–11 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
108–83 		Lakers
103–90 		Lakers, 223–148
2011–12 Pistons 1–0 Pistons
88–85 		Lakers, 223–149 Lockout shortened season results in one game played between the rivals.
2012–13 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
108–79 		Lakers
98–97 		Lakers, 225–149
2013–14 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
114–99 		Lakers
106–102 		Lakers, 227–149
2014–15 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
93–85 		Lakers
106–96 		Lakers, 229–149
2015–16 Tie 1–1 Lakers
97–85 		Pistons
111–91 		Lakers, 230–150 Final season for Kobe Bryant.
2016–17 Pistons 2–0 Pistons
102–97 		Pistons
121–102 		Lakers, 230–152
2017–18 Tie 1–1 Lakers
113–93 		Pistons
112–106 		Lakers, 231–153
2018–19 Tie 1–1 Lakers
113–100 		Pistons
111–97 		Lakers, 232–154 LeBron James signs with the Lakers.
2019–20 Lakers 1–0 Lakers
106–99 		Lakers, 233–154 League shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Lakers win 2020 NBA Finals.
2020s (Lakers, 7–3)
Season Season series at Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons Overall series Notes
2020–21 Tie 1–1 Lakers
135–129(2OT) 		Pistons
107–92 		Lakers, 234–155
2021–22 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
110–106 		Lakers
121–116 		Lakers, 236–155
2022–23 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
128–121 		Lakers
124–117 		Lakers, 238–155
2023–24 Lakers 2–0 Lakers
125–111 		Lakers
133–107 		Lakers, 240–155 Lakers win the inaugural
2023 NBA Cup
.
2024–25 Pistons 2–0 Pistons
117–114 		Pistons
115–103 		Lakers, 240–157
Summary of Results
Season Season series at Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers at Fort Wayne Pistons/Detroit Pistons at Neutral Site Notes
Regular season games Lakers 214–136 Lakers, 111–40 Lakers, 82–73 Pistons, 23–21
Postseason games Lakers 26–21 Lakers, 19–6 Pistons, 15–7
Postseason series Lakers 8–3 Lakers, 5–2 Lakers, 3–1 NBA Finals: 1988, 1989, 2004
Central Division Finals: 1950
Western Division Finals: 1953, 1955, 1962
Western Division Semifinals: 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961
Regular and postseason Lakers 240–157 Lakers, 130–46 Lakers, 89–88 Pistons, 23–21 There were 44 total Neutral site games played.

Individual Records

Elgin Baylor scored the most points in this rivalry.

Top Scorers (Regular Season)

Rank Player Team Points GP PPG
1 Elgin Baylor Lakers 3,190 110 29.0
2 Jerry West Lakers 2,780 99 28.1
3 George Yardley Pistons 1,347 60 20.4
4 Vern Mikkelsen Lakers 1,345 103 13.1
5 Gene Shue Pistons 1,344 74 15.3

Per Game (Regular Season, min. 10 GP)

  1. Elgin Baylor (LAL) – 29.0 (110 GP)
  2. Jerry West (LAL) – 28.1 (99 GP)
  3. Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) – 26.9 (14 GP)
  4. Bob Lanier (DET) – 23.9 (38 GP)
  5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (LAL) – 23.4 (35 GP)

Top Scorers (NBA Playoffs)

Rank Player Team Points GP PPG
1 Elgin Baylor Lakers 550 16 34.4
2 Gene Shue Pistons 326 18 18.1
3 Jerry West Lakers 293 11 26.6
4 James Worthy Lakers 256 11 23.3
5 Isiah Thomas Pistons 223 11 20.3

Per Game (NBA Playoffs)

  1. Elgin Baylor (LAL) – 34.4 (16 GP)
  2. Jerry West (LAL) – 26.6 (11 GP)
  3. Shaquille O'Neal (LAL) – 26.6 (5 GP)
  4. George Mikan – 24.1 (9 GP)
  5. James Worthy (LAL) – 23.3 (11 GP)
  6. Kobe Bryant (LAL) – 22.6 (5 GP)
  7. Richard Hamilton (DET) – 21.7 (5 GP)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Kobe sends game to OT, wins it in 2OT". ESPN.com. 2004-04-14. Archived from the original on May 31, 2004. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  2. ^ "Motown is Titletown". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  3. ^ "NBA suspends LeBron James one game, Isaiah Stewart two games for involvement in Sunday's altercation". ESPN.com. November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
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