Lakers–Pistons rivalry
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2014) |
Los Angeles Lakers
Detroit Pistons
| |
| First meeting | December 1, 1948 Pistons 84, Lakers 74 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | February 13, 2024 Lakers 125, Pistons 111 |
| Next meeting | TBA |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 395 |
| All-time series | 240–155 (LAL) |
| Regular season series | 214–134 (LAL) |
| Postseason results | 26–21 (LAL) |
| Longest win streak | LAL W13 |
| Current win streak | LAL W7 |
| Postseason history | |
| |
The Lakers–Pistons rivalry is an American
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
1989
Both the Pistons and Lakers were considered to be the two best teams in the NBA entering the
2004
A whole new of generation of Pistons and Lakers would meet as they squared off again in the
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]
See also
- Bulls–Pistons rivalry
- Celtics–Pistons rivalry
- Celtics–Lakers rivalry
- Lakers–Spurs rivalry
- National Basketball Association rivalries
References
- ^ "Kobe sends game to OT, wins it in 2OT". ESPN.com. 2004-04-14. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ "Motown is Titletown". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ "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.