Overview
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Detroit Pistons four games to three in the NBA Finals to conclude the 2004-05 NBA season. The victory gave San Antonio its third NBA Championship in the last seven NBA seasons.
The Pistons entered the series as the defending NBA Champions, having defeated the Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Spurs had won the NBA Championship the year before that. This was the first matchup of the two previous NBA Champions since 1987, when the Lakers (1985) defeated the Celtics (1986).
This was the first NBA Finals series to go to a Game 7 since 1994, and as of the 2008 Finals, it's the most recent Finals series to go the distance. The Spurs had home-court advantage due to a better regular-season record. The two teams split their regular-season meetings.
Tim Duncan won NBA Finals MVP honors, the third time in his career he earned the award. He joined Michael Jordan (6), Magic Johnson (3) and Shaquille O'Neal (3) as the only players to win the award at least three times.
The Pistons entered the series as the defending NBA Champions, having defeated the Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Spurs had won the NBA Championship the year before that. This was the first matchup of the two previous NBA Champions since 1987, when the Lakers (1985) defeated the Celtics (1986).
This was the first NBA Finals series to go to a Game 7 since 1994, and as of the 2008 Finals, it's the most recent Finals series to go the distance. The Spurs had home-court advantage due to a better regular-season record. The two teams split their regular-season meetings.
Tim Duncan won NBA Finals MVP honors, the third time in his career he earned the award. He joined Michael Jordan (6), Magic Johnson (3) and Shaquille O'Neal (3) as the only players to win the award at least three times.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Pistons | Spurs |
| Regular Season | 54-28, 1st in Central Division | 59-23, 1st in Southwest Division |
| First Round | Def. (7) Philadelphia 76ers, 4-1 | Def. (7) Denver Nuggets, 4-1 |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (6) Indiana Pacers, 4-2 | Def. (3) Seattle Supersonics, 4-2 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (1) Miami Heat, 4-3 | Def. (1) Phoenix Suns, 4-1 |
Game 1 - Spurs 84, Pistons 69
The Spurs outscored the Pistons 49-32 in the second half, turning a 2-point halftime deficit into a 15-point victory. Manu Ginobili sparked the win, scoring 15 of his game-high 26 points in the fourth quarter. Tim Duncan added 24 points and 17 rebounds in the winning effort.
The game turned on a key play early the fourth quarter, when Ginobili drove to the basket and collided with Ben Wallace. A foul was called on Wallace, who threw his headband in anger and was called for a technical foul. Ginobili converted the ensuing free throw, starting a 19-4 run that put the Spurs ahead by 17 points.
At the time, the 153 combined points were tied for the fourth-fewest in an NBA Finals game in the shot-clock era. Defending Finals MVP Chauncey Billups scored 25 points to lead the Pistons, but no other Detroit player had more than 14 points.
The game turned on a key play early the fourth quarter, when Ginobili drove to the basket and collided with Ben Wallace. A foul was called on Wallace, who threw his headband in anger and was called for a technical foul. Ginobili converted the ensuing free throw, starting a 19-4 run that put the Spurs ahead by 17 points.
At the time, the 153 combined points were tied for the fourth-fewest in an NBA Finals game in the shot-clock era. Defending Finals MVP Chauncey Billups scored 25 points to lead the Pistons, but no other Detroit player had more than 14 points.
Game 2 - Spurs 97, Pistons 76
The Spurs controlled the game from the opening tip, taking a 30-19 lead at the end of the first quarter and not allowing the Pistons to outscore them in any of the game's four quarters. Detroit never led at any point in the game. Manu Ginobili again led all scorers, finishing with 27 points on just eight shots. He was 6-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, and was 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Antonio McDyess was the leading scorer for Detroit, scoring 15 points off the bench. No Pistons starter had more than 14 points, and as a group, Detroit's starters shot just 21-of-54 (38.9 percent) from the field in the game. The Pistons were 0-for-6 from 3-point range, compared to 11-of-24 for the Spurs. San Antonio also held a 34-16 edge in free-throw attempts.
San Antonio led by as many as 23 points in the third quarter. Chauncey Billups scored six points in a 10-2 run for the Pistons that cut the lead down to 81-73, but the Pistons never got any closer than that. Their frustration boiled over late in the fourth quarter when Billups and coach Larry Brown were both whistled for technical fouls with 3:54 left. Ginobili made both technical free-throws to push the Spurs lead back up to 20 points.
Antonio McDyess was the leading scorer for Detroit, scoring 15 points off the bench. No Pistons starter had more than 14 points, and as a group, Detroit's starters shot just 21-of-54 (38.9 percent) from the field in the game. The Pistons were 0-for-6 from 3-point range, compared to 11-of-24 for the Spurs. San Antonio also held a 34-16 edge in free-throw attempts.
San Antonio led by as many as 23 points in the third quarter. Chauncey Billups scored six points in a 10-2 run for the Pistons that cut the lead down to 81-73, but the Pistons never got any closer than that. Their frustration boiled over late in the fourth quarter when Billups and coach Larry Brown were both whistled for technical fouls with 3:54 left. Ginobili made both technical free-throws to push the Spurs lead back up to 20 points.
Game 3 - Pistons 96, Spurs 79
For the first time in their 14 NBA Finals games played, the Spurs allowed 90 points, and Detroit dominated late in the game to close to a 2-1 deficit in the series. This marked the first time in NBA Finals history that the first three games were all decided by at least 15 points. It was the fifth time that the first three games were all decided by a double-digit margin.
Detroit was led in scoring by Richard Hamilton (24 points), but the star for the Pistons was center Ben Wallace. He scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds had three steals and five blocks. All five of Wallace's blocks came in the first quarter, matching Bob Lanier's team record for blocks in a quarter in a playoff game. Wallace also capped off a fourth-quarter Pistons run with a dunk with 4:27 left, giving Detroit an 88-73 lead, its largest of the game to that point.
Manu Ginobili suffered a bruised left thigh 30 seconds into the game, which limited his effectiveness for the rest of the game. After leading San Antonio in scoring in Games 1 and 2, Ginobili was held to seven points while committing six turnovers. He was just the third player in Finals history to score fewer than 10 points following back-to-back games of at least 25 points, joining Joe Dumars (1990 Pistons) and Sam Jones (1964 Celtics).
Tim Duncan was held to 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, both the lowest totals of the 14 Finals games he'd played to that point.
Detroit was led in scoring by Richard Hamilton (24 points), but the star for the Pistons was center Ben Wallace. He scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds had three steals and five blocks. All five of Wallace's blocks came in the first quarter, matching Bob Lanier's team record for blocks in a quarter in a playoff game. Wallace also capped off a fourth-quarter Pistons run with a dunk with 4:27 left, giving Detroit an 88-73 lead, its largest of the game to that point.
Manu Ginobili suffered a bruised left thigh 30 seconds into the game, which limited his effectiveness for the rest of the game. After leading San Antonio in scoring in Games 1 and 2, Ginobili was held to seven points while committing six turnovers. He was just the third player in Finals history to score fewer than 10 points following back-to-back games of at least 25 points, joining Joe Dumars (1990 Pistons) and Sam Jones (1964 Celtics).
Tim Duncan was held to 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting, both the lowest totals of the 14 Finals games he'd played to that point.
Game 4 - Pistons 102, Spurs 71
The Spurs scored the first four points of the game, but the Pistons took the lead with 7:39 left in the first quarter and never trailed again, rolling to a blowout victory. Rasheed Wallace made a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter, sparking a 14-0 run in which the Pistons took a 17-point lead. Detroit led by 17 points and the end of the 4th quarter, then doubled up the Spurs 28-14 in the fourth quarter to finish with a 31-point win.
The Pistons committed only four turnovers, setting an NBA Finals record and equalling the record for any playoff game since the NBA began compiling turnover statistics in the 1970-71 season. The Pistons also had only 4 turnovers in an 1991 conference semifinals loss to the Celtics. Detroit had 13 steals in the game to just one for the Spurs. The Pistons improved to 8-1 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in the NBA Finals, matching the best record for a team at an arena in NBA Finals history.
Chauncey Billups scored 17 points to lead a balanced Pistons attack -- all five Detroit starters and two reserves scored in double figures, including Lindsey Hunter, who hadn't scored in double figures in his previous 51 playoff games.
The 31-point margin of defeat was the fourth-largest in Spurs history. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 16 rebounds, but shot just 5-of-17 from the field. Manu Ginobili struggled for the second consecutive game, scoring 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Duncan, Ginobili and Tony Parker were the only Spurs players in double figures.
The Pistons committed only four turnovers, setting an NBA Finals record and equalling the record for any playoff game since the NBA began compiling turnover statistics in the 1970-71 season. The Pistons also had only 4 turnovers in an 1991 conference semifinals loss to the Celtics. Detroit had 13 steals in the game to just one for the Spurs. The Pistons improved to 8-1 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in the NBA Finals, matching the best record for a team at an arena in NBA Finals history.
Chauncey Billups scored 17 points to lead a balanced Pistons attack -- all five Detroit starters and two reserves scored in double figures, including Lindsey Hunter, who hadn't scored in double figures in his previous 51 playoff games.
The 31-point margin of defeat was the fourth-largest in Spurs history. Tim Duncan had 16 points and 16 rebounds, but shot just 5-of-17 from the field. Manu Ginobili struggled for the second consecutive game, scoring 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Duncan, Ginobili and Tony Parker were the only Spurs players in double figures.
Game 5 - Spurs 96, Pistons 95 (OT)
In one of the most memorable games in NBA Finals history, "Big Shot" Robert Horry lived up to his nickname again, making a wide-open 3-pointer with 5.8 seconds left to give the Spurs a one-point win in overtime and a 3-2 series lead. After four blowouts to open the series, Game 5 featured 12 lead changes and 18 ties.
The Spurs had chances to win the game in regulation, but Tim Duncan missed six consecutive free throws down the stretch and missed a tip-in opportunity at the buzzer, after Manu Ginobili's game-winning layup attempt was blocked by Ben Wallace. Duncan finished with a team-high 26 points but shot just 11-of-24 from the field and 4-of-11 from the line. Manu Ginobili continued to struggle, going 5-of-16 from the field. With the Spurs top two scorers struggling with their shots, Horry stepped up. He scored all 21 of his points after halftime, setting a Finals record for most points in a game after scoring zero in the first half. Horry, who had previously won five NBA Championships, was 7-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range.
Chauncey Billups led the Pistons with 34 points, as all five Pistons starters scored in double figures for the second consecutive game. Billups became just the fifth player since 1967 to score at least 34 points in a Finals game after averaging fewer than 17.0 ppg during the regular season. However, Detroit's bench couldn't match Horry's scoring punch -- the Pistons used only two reserves in the game, and Antonio McDyess and Lindsey Hunter combined for just 11 points. Richard Hamilton, who missed a potential game-winning jumper with one second left, was the Pistons second-leading scorer with 15 points.
After each of the first four games of the series were decided by at least 15 points, neither team led this game by double figures.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Horry's shot ranked No. 25 on the list.
The Spurs had chances to win the game in regulation, but Tim Duncan missed six consecutive free throws down the stretch and missed a tip-in opportunity at the buzzer, after Manu Ginobili's game-winning layup attempt was blocked by Ben Wallace. Duncan finished with a team-high 26 points but shot just 11-of-24 from the field and 4-of-11 from the line. Manu Ginobili continued to struggle, going 5-of-16 from the field. With the Spurs top two scorers struggling with their shots, Horry stepped up. He scored all 21 of his points after halftime, setting a Finals record for most points in a game after scoring zero in the first half. Horry, who had previously won five NBA Championships, was 7-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range.
Chauncey Billups led the Pistons with 34 points, as all five Pistons starters scored in double figures for the second consecutive game. Billups became just the fifth player since 1967 to score at least 34 points in a Finals game after averaging fewer than 17.0 ppg during the regular season. However, Detroit's bench couldn't match Horry's scoring punch -- the Pistons used only two reserves in the game, and Antonio McDyess and Lindsey Hunter combined for just 11 points. Richard Hamilton, who missed a potential game-winning jumper with one second left, was the Pistons second-leading scorer with 15 points.
After each of the first four games of the series were decided by at least 15 points, neither team led this game by double figures.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Horry's shot ranked No. 25 on the list.
Game 6 - Pistons 95, Spurs 86
Facing elimination, the Pistons won on the road for the first time in this series, outscoring the Spurs 13-4 over the final 4:28 of the game and tying the series at three games apiece. The win was Detroit's fifth straight when facing elimination and the 100th of Larry Brown's coaching career. Detroit improved to 8-1 under Brown when trailing in a postseason series (with the only loss coming in Game 2 of this series). This win was Detroit's first in San Antonio since April 2, 1997, and the Pistons first ever win at the then-SBC Center.
Richard Hamilton led all scorers with 23 points, while Chauncey Billups had 21 points, 6 assists and zero turnovers. Billups made five of Detroit's eight 3-point baskets. Rasheed Wallace, who had left Robert Horry open for the game-winning basket in Game 5, scored 16 points, his high for the series. The Pistons committed only five turnovers in the game, matching the fewest ever for a road team in the NBA Finals.
The Spurs attempted a franchise postseason record 28 3-point attempts, the most in an NBA Finals game since the Bulls attempted 32 in a Game 3 loss to the Jazz in 1997. Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan each scored 21 points to lead the Spurs. Duncan added 15 rebounds, and was the only Spurs starter to shoot at least 50 percent from the field.
Richard Hamilton led all scorers with 23 points, while Chauncey Billups had 21 points, 6 assists and zero turnovers. Billups made five of Detroit's eight 3-point baskets. Rasheed Wallace, who had left Robert Horry open for the game-winning basket in Game 5, scored 16 points, his high for the series. The Pistons committed only five turnovers in the game, matching the fewest ever for a road team in the NBA Finals.
The Spurs attempted a franchise postseason record 28 3-point attempts, the most in an NBA Finals game since the Bulls attempted 32 in a Game 3 loss to the Jazz in 1997. Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan each scored 21 points to lead the Spurs. Duncan added 15 rebounds, and was the only Spurs starter to shoot at least 50 percent from the field.
Game 7 - Spurs 81, Pistons 74
The Spurs became the third different NBA franchise to win their first three trips to the NBA Finals (joining the Bulls and Lakers) and won a Game 7 for the first time since the 1979 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The 155 combined points were the lowest for a Game 7 in the Finals in the shot-clock era, and the 74 points scored by the Pistons also set a record for fewest points in a Game 7 in the shot-clock era. This was the 17th consecutive Game 7 win by the home team in the championship series in the major North American sports (MLB, NBA, NHL), dating to the Pirates' 1979 road win against the Orioles in the World Series.
The game was tied entering the fourth quarter, but the Spurs opened the quarter on a 7-2 run and never trailed. The Pistons were tied at 59 with 10:22 left, but the Spurs scored the next five points and the Pistons never got closer than three points the rest of the game. During a 5-minute span, the Pistons made just one basket, while missing six shots, allowing the Spurs to take a 67-61 lead with less than six minutes left in the game.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 25 points and 11 rebounds, his 83rd career playoff double-double. Duncan earned Finals MVP honors, something he did in each of the Spurs first three Finals victories. Duncan won the award despite shooting just 41.9 percent from the field in the series. At the time, that was the lowest percentage of Duncan's career, and the second-lowest ever for a Finals MVP. (Michael Jordan shot 41.5 percent in 1996.)
Robert Horry won his sixth NBA championship, matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen for the most titles by a player who didn't play for the Celtics. Horry also became the second player to win titles with three different teams (1993-94 Rockets, 2000-01 and 2001-02 Lakers), joining John Salley.
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 15 points. It was only the second time in NBA Finals history that a team had no players with more than 15 points in Game 7. (The other was 1955, when the Syracuse Nationals won Game 7 despite being led by a pair of players with 15 points each.) Four of Detroit's five starters scored at least 10 points, but Hamilton was 6-of-18 from the field and Tayshaun Prince (9 points) was 4-of-13. Detroit also went just 2-of-14 from three point range, while the Spurs were 7-of-11.
The game was tied entering the fourth quarter, but the Spurs opened the quarter on a 7-2 run and never trailed. The Pistons were tied at 59 with 10:22 left, but the Spurs scored the next five points and the Pistons never got closer than three points the rest of the game. During a 5-minute span, the Pistons made just one basket, while missing six shots, allowing the Spurs to take a 67-61 lead with less than six minutes left in the game.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 25 points and 11 rebounds, his 83rd career playoff double-double. Duncan earned Finals MVP honors, something he did in each of the Spurs first three Finals victories. Duncan won the award despite shooting just 41.9 percent from the field in the series. At the time, that was the lowest percentage of Duncan's career, and the second-lowest ever for a Finals MVP. (Michael Jordan shot 41.5 percent in 1996.)
Robert Horry won his sixth NBA championship, matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen for the most titles by a player who didn't play for the Celtics. Horry also became the second player to win titles with three different teams (1993-94 Rockets, 2000-01 and 2001-02 Lakers), joining John Salley.
Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 15 points. It was only the second time in NBA Finals history that a team had no players with more than 15 points in Game 7. (The other was 1955, when the Syracuse Nationals won Game 7 despite being led by a pair of players with 15 points each.) Four of Detroit's five starters scored at least 10 points, but Hamilton was 6-of-18 from the field and Tayshaun Prince (9 points) was 4-of-13. Detroit also went just 2-of-14 from three point range, while the Spurs were 7-of-11.