Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association team based in the Detroit, Michigan metropolitan area.

2004-05 season

On November 19, 2004, the Detroit Pistons were involved in a massive brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills during a losing home game against the Indiana Pacers. After fouling Pistons' Ben Wallace, Pacer Ron Artest was hit by a cup while lying down on the scorer's table. This caused Artest to rush into the stands and attack some fans. Other Pacers such as Jermaine O'Neal fought with fans who had walked onto the court. A month later, five Pacers and seven fans were charged after being involved in the "basketbrawl."

Related Topics:
November 19 - 2004 - Palace of Auburn Hills - Indiana Pacers - Ben Wallace - Ron Artest - Jermaine O'Neal

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See also: The Malice at The Palace.

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The Pistons were considered a strong contender to win a second consecutive title in 2005. Seeded second in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs, they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1 and then rallied from a 2-1 deficit to finish off the Indiana Pacers 4-2. In the conference finals, the Pistons again fell behind, three games to two, but then won the final two games to defeat the Miami Heat and become Eastern Conference Champions. In the process, the Pistons became the first team to win a game 7 on the road since the L.A. Lakers did so against the Sacramento Kings in 2002.

Related Topics:
Playoffs - Philadelphia 76ers - Indiana Pacers - Miami Heat - Sacramento Kings - 2002

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The Pistons played in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. After splitting the first six games, the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 1994 was played. There, however, the Pistons lost a hard-fought game to the Spurs, who clinched their third championship.

Related Topics:
NBA Finals - San Antonio Spurs - 1994

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The Pistons franchise heads into the offseason with all five starters plus key reserve Antonio McDyess under contract for 2005-06. On July 18, the Pistons decided to buy out the remaining 3 years left on Larry Brown's contract, officially ending his coaching days in Detroit. He was replaced by Flip Saunders who previously coached the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brown subsequently signed a deal to coach the New York Knicks.

Related Topics:
Antonio McDyess - July 18 - Flip Saunders - Minnesota Timberwolves - New York Knicks

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