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1984–85 Detroit Pistons season

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(Redirected from 1984-85 Detroit Pistons season) NBA team season

NBA professional basketball team season
1984–85 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachChuck Daly
General managerJack McCloskey
Owner(s)Bill Davidson
Arena
Results
Record46–36 (.561)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Celtics 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
(George Blaha, Dave Bing)
PASS Sports
(Fred McLeod, Tom Wilson)
RadioWJR
(George Blaha, Dave Bing)
< 1983–84 1985–86 >

The 1984–85 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 37th season in the NBA and 28th season in the city of Detroit. Due to repairs to their home at the time, Pontiac Silverdome, the Pistons spent the latter part of the season – and all five of their post-season games – at the Detroit Red Wings' arena, Joe Louis Arena, in Detroit proper.

Detroit continued their winning ways, finishing the season 46–36 (.561), 2nd place in the Central Division. The team advanced to the playoffs, defeating the New Jersey Nets 3–0, for the franchise's first playoff series win since 1976, but fell 4–2 to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in the conference semi-finals. 1985 was also perhaps the start of bad blood between the Chicago Bulls and star Michael Jordan and the Pistons. At the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, reports were that Pistons star Isiah Thomas and friend Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson conspired to "freeze-out" rookie Jordan on the national stage. As the Pistons and Bulls battled over the next few years, Jordan may have exacted his revenge in ensuring Thomas was not named to the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.

The Pistons were led in 1984–85 by Thomas (21.2 ppg, 13.9 apg, NBA All-Star) and center Bill Laimbeer (17.5 ppg, 12.4 rpg, NBA All-Star).

Draft picks

Main article: 1984 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 20 Tony Campbell SF/SG  United States Ohio State

Roster

1984–85 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 54 Benson, Kent 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Indiana
G/F 00 Campbell, Tony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Ohio State
F 23 Cureton, Earl 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Detroit Mercy
SG 15 Johnson, Vinnie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Baylor
PF 35 Jones, Major 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Albany State
C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Notre Dame
SG 25 Long, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Detroit Mercy
PG 14 Romar, Lorenzo 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Washington
PF 32 Roundfield, Dan 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Central Michigan
SG 31 Steppe, Brook 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Georgia Tech
SG 22 Teagle, Terry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Baylor
SF 22 Thirdkill, David 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Bradley
PG 11 Thomas, Isiah 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Indiana
F 7 Tripucka, Kelly 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Notre Dame
G/F 41 Tyler, Terry 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Detroit Mercy
PF 31 Wilkinson, Dale 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Idaho State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Milwaukee Bucks 59 23 .720 – 36–5 23–18 20–10
x-Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 13 26–15 20–21 21–8
x-Chicago Bulls 38 44 .463 21 26–15 12–29 13–17
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 36 46 .439 23 20–21 16–25 13–16
Atlanta Hawks 34 48 .415 25 19–22 15–26 15–15
Indiana Pacers 22 60 .268 37 16–25 6–35 7–23
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics 63 19 .768 –
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks 59 23 .720 4
3 x-Philadelphia 76ers 58 24 .707 5
4 x-Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 17
5 x-New Jersey Nets 42 40 .512 21
6 x-Washington Bullets 40 42 .488 23
7 x-Chicago Bulls 38 44 .463 25
8 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 36 46 .439 27
9 Atlanta Hawks 34 48 .415 29
10 New York Knicks 24 58 .293 39
11 Indiana Pacers 22 60 .268 41
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1984–85 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta — 1–4 3–3 3–3 0–2 0–2 1–5 2–0 0–2 6–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–4 3–3 3–3 0–5 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 3–3
Boston 4–1 — 4–2 6–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 2–0 2–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–4 5–1 6–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–1
Chicago 3–3 2–4 — 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 2–4 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–3 2–4 4–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–2
Cleveland 3–3 0–6 4–2 — 1–1 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 4–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–5 2–3 3–3 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3
Dallas 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 — 2–4 0–2 4–1 2–4 2–0 5–1 3–2 1–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 4–1 4–2 5–0 1–5 1–1
Denver 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–2 — 0–2 5–0 2–4 2–0 4–2 2–3 2–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 4–1 3–3 3–2 4–2 2–0
Detroit 5–1 2–4 3–3 4–1 2–0 2–0 — 2–0 1–1 6–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–5 3–2 1–5 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–3
Golden State 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 0–5 0–2 — 2–3 0–2 2–3 2–4 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–4 2–4 1–4 3–3 1–4 1–1
Houston 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–2 4–2 1–1 3–2 — 1–1 5–1 2–3 1–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 4–2 3–2 3–3 0–2
Indiana 0–6 1–5 4–2 2–4 0–2 0–2 0–6 2–0 1–1 — 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–5 2–3 2–4 1–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–4
Kansas City 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 2–4 1–1 3–2 1–5 1–1 — 3–2 0–5 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 2–4 3–2 2–4 1–1
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 1–1 4–2 3–2 2–0 2–3 — 0–6 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 1–5 2–3 2–4 3–2 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 3–2 1–1 5–1 4–1 1–1 5–0 6–0 — 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 5–1 5–1 3–2 3–3 4–1 1–1
Milwaukee 4–2 4–1 3–3 5–1 1–1 1–1 3–3 2–0 2–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 — 3–3 5–0 3–3 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
New Jersey 3–3 1–5 4–2 3–2 1–1 0–2 5–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 3–3 — 6–0 2–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 4–2
New York 3–3 0–6 2–4 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–3 1–1 0–2 4–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 0–6 — 2–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–6
Philadelphia 5–0 3–3 5–0 2–4 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 5–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 4–2 4–2 — 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 4–2
Phoenix 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 4–2 1–4 2–0 3–2 2–4 1–5 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 — 3–3 1–4 5–1 3–2 1–1
Portland 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–4 1–1 4–2 2–3 2–0 2–3 5–1 1–5 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–3 — 3–2 4–2 3–2 1–1
San Antonio 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–3 1–1 4–1 2–4 1–1 4–2 3–2 2–3 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–3 — 4–1 1–5 0–2
Seattle 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–5 2–3 1–1 3–3 2–3 2–0 2–3 4–2 3–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 2–4 1–4 — 3–2 2–0
Utah 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 5–1 2–4 2–0 4–1 3–3 0–2 4–2 2–3 1–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–3 2–3 5–1 2–3 — 1–1
Washington 3–3 1–5 2–3 3–3 1–1 0–2 3–3 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–4 2–4 6–0 2–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

Regular season

1984–85 game log
Total: 46–36 (home: 26–15; road: 20–21)
October: 1–2 (home: 1–1; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 26, 1984 Boston L 123–130 Isiah Thomas (35) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (11) Pontiac Silverdome 0–1
2 October 27, 1984 @ New York L 118–137 Bill Laimbeer (28) Bill Laimbeer (16) Isiah Thomas (16) Madison Square Garden 0–2
3 October 30, 1984 Cleveland W 124–107 Pontiac Silverdome 1–2
November: 7–7 (home: 2–4; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
4 November 1, 1984 @ Atlanta W 118–114 The Omni 2–2
5 November 2, 1984 @ Boston L 116–127 Boston Garden 2–3
6 November 5, 1984 @ Cleveland W 107–98 Richfield Coliseum 3–3
7 November 7, 1984 Chicago L 118–122 Pontiac Silverdome 3–4
8 November 10, 1984 Milwaukee W 104–100 Pontiac Silverdome 4–4
9 November 14, 1984 @ Philadelphia W 137–133 (OT) The Spectrum 5–4
10 November 16, 1984 Philadelphia L 90–101 Pontiac Silverdome 5–5
11 November 17, 1984 @ Dallas W 124–110 Reunion Arena 6–5
12 November 20, 1984 @ Houston L 117–123 The Summit 6–6
13 November 21, 1984 @ San Antonio W 114–101 HemisFair Arena 7–6
14 November 23, 1984 New York L 97–120 Pontiac Silverdome 7–7
15 November 24, 1984 @ Washington L 106–112 Capital Centre 7–8
16 November 28, 1984 Portland W 120–113 Pontiac Silverdome 8–8
17 November 30, 1984 Washington L 106–114 Pontiac Silverdome 8–9
December: 8–6 (home: 4–2; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
18 December 1, 1984 @ Indiana W 131–109 Market Square Arena 9–9
19 December 4, 1984 Boston W 104–99 Pontiac Silverdome 10–9
20 December 6, 1984 @ Milwaukee L 99–114 MECCA Arena 10–10
21 December 7, 1984 Denver W 122–115 Pontiac Silverdome 11–10
22 December 11, 1984 @ Chicago W 108–101 Chicago Stadium 12–10
23 December 12, 1984 Chicago W 102–95 Pontiac Silverdome 13–10
24 December 14, 1984 Indiana W 120–96 Pontiac Silverdome 14–10
25 December 19, 1984 @ Denver W 148–129 McNichols Sports Arena 15–10
26 December 20, 1984 @ Utah L 116–117 Salt Palace Acord Arena 15–11
27 December 22, 1984 @ Kansas City L 123–129 Kemper Arena 15–12
28 December 25, 1984 Philadelphia L 108–109 Pontiac Silverdome 15–13
29 December 26, 1984 @ New Jersey L 97–112 Brendan Byrne Arena 15–14
30 December 28, 1984 @ Indiana W 116–110 Market Square Arena 16–14
31 December 29, 1984 New Jersey L 108–110 Pontiac Silverdome 16–15
January: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
32 January 2, 1985 Cleveland W 108–100 Pontiac Silverdome 17–15
33 January 4, 1985 Atlanta W 134–111 Pontiac Silverdome 18–15
34 January 5, 1985 @ Washington W 121–113 Capital Centre 19–15
35 January 9, 1985 @ Philadelphia L 122–126 The Spectrum 19–16
36 January 11, 1985 Indiana W 120–109 Pontiac Silverdome 20–16
37 January 13, 1985
12 Noon EST 		L.A. Lakers W 121–98 Thomas (30) Roundfield (14) Thomas (20) Pontiac Silverdome
23,475 		21–16
38 January 17, 1985 @ New York W 105–89 Madison Square Garden 22–16
39 January 19, 1985 @ New Jersey W 109–107 Brendan Byrne Arena 23–16
40 January 22, 1985 @ Atlanta
(at New Orleans, LA) 		W 130–113 Lakefront Arena 24–16
41 January 24, 1985 Golden State W 137–118 Pontiac Silverdome 25–16
42 January 26, 1985 Seattle W 132–113 Pontiac Silverdome 27–16
43 January 27, 1985 Washington W 115–105 Pontiac Silverdome 27–16
44 January 29, 1985 @ Boston
(at Hartford, CT) 		L 130–131 Hartford Civic Center 27–17
45 January 30, 1985 Kansas City W 120–116 Pontiac Silverdome 28–17
February: 5–8 (home: 4–4; road: 1–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
46 February 2, 1985 Atlanta W 110–102 (OT) Pontiac Silverdome 29–17
47 February 4, 1985 @ Milwaukee W 113–111 (OT) MECCA Arena 30–17
48 February 5, 1985 New Jersey L 117–119 Pontiac Silverdome 30–18
49 February 7, 1985 @ Washington L 126–128 (2OT) Capital Centre 30–19
All-Star Break
50 February 12, 1985 @ Chicago L 126–139 (OT) Chicago Stadium 30–20
51 February 13, 1985 Dallas W 124–119 Pontiac Silverdome 31–20
52 February 15, 1985 @ New Jersey L 123–124 Brendan Byrne Arena 31–21
53 February 16, 1985 Philadelphia L 114–125 Pontiac Silverdome 31–22
54 February 18, 1985 Phoenix W 122–103 Pontiac Silverdome 32–22
55 February 20, 1985 Milwaukee L 112–113 Pontiac Silverdome 32–23
56 February 22, 1985 @ Philadelphia L 99–110 The Spectrum 32–24
57 February 23, 1985 New Jersey L 103–111 Pontiac Silverdome 32–25
58 February 27, 1985 Chicago W 108–99 Pontiac Silverdome 33–25
March: 7–8 (home: 4–2; road: 3–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
59 March 1, 1985 San Antonio L 98–108 Pontiac Silverdome 33–26
60 March 3, 1985 @ Boston L 129–138 Boston Garden 33–27
61 March 6, 1985 New York W 114–90 Joe Louis Arena 34–27
62 March 7, 1985 Utah L 114–122 Joe Louis Arena 34–28
63 March 9, 1985 @ Atlanta W 115–113 The Omni 35–28
64 March 11, 1985 L.A. Clippers W 121–114 Joe Louis Arena 36–28
65 March 12, 1985 @ Chicago L 110–111 Chicago Stadium 36–29
66 March 17, 1985 @ Seattle L 98–106 Kingdome 36–30
67 March 18, 1985 @ L.A. Clippers L 116–136 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 36–31
68 March 19, 1985 @ Portland L 123–143 Memorial Coliseum 36–32
69 March 21, 1985 @ Golden State W 122–113 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 38–33
70 March 24, 1985
10:30 p.m. EST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 130–148 Thomas (30) Laimbeer (14) Thomas (15) The Forum
17,505 		37–33
71 March 26, 1985 @ Phoenix W 119–93 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 38–33
72 March 27, 1985 Houston W 127–110 Joe Louis Arena 39–33
73 March 31, 1985 Boston W 113–105 Joe Louis Arena 40–33
April: 6–3 (home: 3–2; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
74 April 1, 1985 Atlanta L 100–114 Joe Louis Arena 40–34
75 April 2, 1985 @ Indiana W 124–121 Market Square Arena 41–34
76 April 4, 1985 @ Milwaukee L 121–130 MECCA Arena 41–35
77 April 5, 1985 Cleveland L 118–119 Joe Louis Arena 41–36
78 April 7, 1985 Milwaukee W 113–91 Joe Louis Arena 42–36
79 April 9, 1985 @ New York W 107–97 Madison Square Garden 43–36
80 April 10, 1985 Indiana W 116–114 Joe Louis Arena 44–36
81 April 12, 1985 Washington W 102–96 Joe Louis Arena 45–36
82 April 14, 1985 @ Cleveland W 116–113 Richfield Coliseum 46–36
1984–85 schedule

Playoffs

1985 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 18, 1985 New Jersey W 125–105 Bill Laimbeer (23) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (11) Joe Louis Arena
10,465 		1–0
2 April 21, 1985 New Jersey W 121–111 Isiah Thomas (29) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (14) Joe Louis Arena
11,501 		2–0
3 April 24, 1985 @ New Jersey W 116–115 Terry Tyler (23) Tripucka, Tyler (11) Isiah Thomas (11) Brendan Byrne Arena
9,999 		3–0
Conference semifinals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 28, 1985 @ Boston L 99–133 Isiah Thomas (23) three players tied (5) Isiah Thomas (8) Boston Garden
14,890 		0–1
2 April 30, 1985 @ Boston L 114–121 Isiah Thomas (28) Thomas, Laimbeer (9) Isiah Thomas (15) Boston Garden
14,890 		0–2
3 May 2, 1985 Boston W 125–117 Bill Laimbeer (27) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (16) Joe Louis Arena
14,209 		1–2
4 May 5, 1985 Boston W 102–99 Vinnie Johnson (34) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (10) Joe Louis Arena
14,350 		2–2
5 May 8, 1985 @ Boston L 123–130 Vinnie Johnson (30) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (7) Boston Garden
14,890 		2–3
6 May 10, 1985 Boston L 113–123 Isiah Thomas (37) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (9) Joe Louis Arena
21,193 		2–4
1985 schedule

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ "1984–85 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  2. Starjacki, Will. "The infamous 'Freeze Out' game of Michael Jordan in the 1985 All-Star game". Basketball Network – Your daily dose of basketball.
  3. Zillgitt, Jeff (May 3, 2020). "'The Last Dance': Why was Isiah Thomas left off the 1992 Olympic Dream Team?". USA Today.
  4. "Chevette to Corvette No. 17: The 1984–85 Detroit Pistons". November 30, 2011.

See also

1984–85 NBA season
Eastern
Atlantic
Central
Western
Midwest
Pacific
Detroit Pistons
  • Founded in 1937
  • Formerly the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1937–1948) and the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957)
  • Based in Detroit, Michigan
Franchise
Arenas
Personnel
Owner(s)
Tom Gores
President
Ed Stefanski
General manager
Vacant
Head coach
Monty Williams
G League affiliate
Retired numbers
NBA championships
Rivalries
Culture and lore
Detroit Pistons seasons
1940s
1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49
1950s
1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59
1960s
1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69
1970s
1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79
1980s
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89
1990s
1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99
2000s
1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09
2010s
2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19
2020s
2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Bold indicates NBA Finals victory
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