The 1990 NBA Playoffs

NBA Playoffs

The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...

was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association

National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...

's 1989-1990 season

1989-90 NBA season

-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...

. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference (NBA)

The Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association is made up of fifteen teams, organized in three divisions of five teams each.The three division winners and the non-division winner with the best record are seeded 1 through 4 for the playoffs in order of their records, with all...

 champion Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...

 successfully defending their championship by beating the Western Conference

Western Conference (NBA)

Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....

 champion Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

 four games to one. Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas

Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...

 of the Pistons was awarded the title of NBA Finals MVP.

It was the first trip to the NBA Finals for the Portland Trail Blazers since their stunning championship win of 1977

1977 NBA Finals

The 1977 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1976-77 NBA season. The Portland Trail Blazers of the Western Conference played against the Philadelphia 76ers of the Eastern Conference, with the 76ers holding home-court advantage. Their 4 regular season meetings had been...

.

The Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...

 would go on to lose 93-74 in Detroit in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, making it the 3rd consecutive year the Bulls were ousted in the postseason by the Pistons.
The Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

 defeated the Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

 in a playoff series for the first time ever, which marked the first time since 1981 that the Lakers failed to reach at least the conference finals.

The New York Knicks

New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...

 fell 0-2 behind to the Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...

 in their first round Eastern Conference matchup, but came back to take the series 3-2 by winning the decisive Game 5 on the road in Boston

Boston Garden

The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...

The Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...

 made only their third playoff appearance since their NBA debut in the 1976-77 season

1976-77 NBA season

The 1976–77 NBA season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Portland Trail Blazers winning the NBA Championship, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...

; they would proceed to make the playoffs 16 out of the next 17 years (missing only in 1997).

The Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...

 made their only playoff appearance of the 1990s. They would miss the playoffs the next 10 seasons before returning in 2001

2001 NBA Playoffs

The 2001 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2000–01 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers winning their second consecutive championship by defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers...

.

Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals

1990 NBA Finals

The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trail Blazers...

 marked the final NBA game to be televised on CBS.

Bracket

Western Conference

Champion: Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

1st Round

(1) Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

vs. (8) Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...

:
Lakers win series 3-1

• Game 1 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (April 27): Los Angeles 101, Houston 89
• Game 2 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (April 29): Los Angeles 104, Houston 100
• Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 1): Houston 114, Los Angeles 108
• Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 3): Los Angeles 109, Houston 88

Last Playoff Meeting: 1986 Western Conference Finals

1986 NBA Playoffs

The 1986 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1985-86 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets, four games to two, in the NBA Finals. The Celtics won...

 (Houston won 4-1)

(2) San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....

vs. (7) Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...

:
Spurs win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena was an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, United States.It was home to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, from 1973 to 1993 and the San Antonio Force, of the AFL, during the 1992 season, their only year of existence....
  
  , San Antonio (April 26): San Antonio 119, Denver 103
• Game 2 @ HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena was an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, United States.It was home to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, from 1973 to 1993 and the San Antonio Force, of the AFL, during the 1992 season, their only year of existence....
  
  , San Antonio (April 28): San Antonio 129, Denver 120
• Game 3 @ McNichols Sports Arena
  McNichols Sports Arena
  McNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena, in Denver, Colorado, USA, adjacent to Mile High Stadium. Completed in 1975, at a cost of $10 million, it seated 16,061, for hockey games, 17,171, for basketball games and contained 27 luxury suites, which were installed as part of the 1986 renovation. It...
  
  , Denver (May 1): San Antonio 131, Denver 120

Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Western Conference First Round

1985 NBA Playoffs

The 1985 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1984-85 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, four games to two, in the NBA Finals...

 (Denver won 3-2)

(3) Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...

:
Blazers win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 26): Portland 109, Dallas 102
• Game 2 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (April 28): Portland 114, Dallas 107
• Game 3 @ Reunion Arena
  Reunion Arena
  Reunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
  
  , Dallas (May 1): Portland 106, Dallas 92

Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Western Conference First Round

1985 NBA Playoffs

The 1985 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1984-85 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, four games to two, in the NBA Finals...

 (Portland won 3-1)

(4) Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

 vs. (5) Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

:
Suns win series 3-2

• Game 1 @ Salt Palace
  Salt Palace
  This article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
  
  , Salt Lake City (April 27): Utah 113, Phoenix 96
• Game 2 @ Salt Palace
  Salt Palace
  This article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
  
  , Salt Lake City (April 29): Phoenix 105, Utah 87
• Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 2): Phoenix 120, Utah 105
• Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 4): Utah 105, Phoenix 94
• Game 5 @ Salt Palace
  Salt Palace
  This article describes a large building in Utah. A one-story building made of locally mined salt blocks in Grand Saline, Texas is also called the "Salt Palace"....
  
  , Salt Lake City (May 6): Phoenix 104, Utah 102 (Kevin Johnson
  Kevin Johnson
  Kevin Maurice Johnson is the current mayor of Sacramento, California. He is Sacramento's first African American mayor. Prior to entering politics, Johnson was a basketball player in the NBA, playing point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Phoenix Suns...
  
   hits the series-winning shot with 0.8 seconds remaining).

Last Playoff Meeting: 1984 Western Conference Semifinals

1984 NBA Playoffs

The 1984 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1983-84 season. This was the first postseason allowing sixteen teams to qualify, a format that is still in use as of 2011...

 (Phoenix won 4-2)

Conference Semifinals

(1) Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

 vs. (5) Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

:
Suns win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 8): Phoenix 104, Los Angeles 102
• Game 2 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 10): Los Angeles 124, Phoenix 100
• Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 12): Phoenix 117, Los Angeles 103
• Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 13): Phoenix 114, Los Angeles 101
• Game 5 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 15): Phoenix 106, Los Angeles 103

Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Western Conference Finals

1989 NBA Playoffs

The 1989 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1988-89 NBA season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers, who were severely hampered by injuries, four...

 (Los Angeles won 4-0)

(2) San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....

 vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

:
Blazers win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 5): Portland 107, San Antonio 94
• Game 2 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 8): Portland 122, San Antonio 112
• Game 3 @ HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena was an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, United States.It was home to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, from 1973 to 1993 and the San Antonio Force, of the AFL, during the 1992 season, their only year of existence....
  
  , San Antonio (May 10): San Antonio 121, Portland 98
• Game 4 @ HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena was an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, United States.It was home to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, from 1973 to 1993 and the San Antonio Force, of the AFL, during the 1992 season, their only year of existence....
  
  , San Antonio (May 12): San Antonio 115, Portland 105
• Game 5 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 15): Portland 138, San Antonio 132 (2OT)
• Game 6 @ HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena
  HemisFair Arena was an indoor arena, located in San Antonio, Texas, United States.It was home to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs, from 1973 to 1993 and the San Antonio Force, of the AFL, during the 1992 season, their only year of existence....
  
  , San Antonio (May 17): San Antonio 112, Portland 97
• Game 7 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 19): Portland 108, San Antonio 105 (OT)

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff meeting)

Conference Finals

(3) Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

vs. (5) Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

:
Blazers win series 4-2

• Game 1 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 21): Portland 100, Phoenix 98 (Kevin Duckworth
  Kevin Duckworth
  Kevin Jerome Duckworth was an American professional basketball player at center in the National Basketball Association. A native of Illinois, he played college basketball at Eastern Illinois University before being drafted in 1986 in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs...
  
   hits the game winner with 17.3 seconds remaining).
• Game 2 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 23): Portland 108, Phoenix 107
• Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 25): Phoenix 123, Portland 89
• Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 27): Phoenix 119, Portland 107
• Game 5 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 29): Portland 120, Phoenix 114
• Game 6 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
  The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 14,870-seat multi-purpose indoor arena in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, located on the grounds of the Arizona State Fair...
  
  , Phoenix (May 31): Portland 112, Phoenix 109

Last Playoff Meeting: 1984 Western Conference First Round

1984 NBA Playoffs

The 1984 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1983-84 season. This was the first postseason allowing sixteen teams to qualify, a format that is still in use as of 2011...

 (Phoenix won 3-2)

Eastern Conference

Champion: Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...

1st Round

(1) Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...

vs. (8) Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...

:
Pistons win series 3-0

• Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (April 26): Detroit 104, Indiana 92
• Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (April 28): Detroit 100, Indiana 87
• Game 3 @ Market Square Arena
  Market Square Arena
  Market Square Arena was an indoor arena, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Completed in 1974, at a cost of $23 million, it seated 16,530, for basketball and 15,993, for ice hockey.-History:...
  
  , Indianapolis (May 1): Detroit 108, Indiana 96

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff meeting)

(2) Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...

vs. (7) Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...

:
76ers win series 3-2

• Game 1 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (April 26): Philadelphia 111, Cleveland 106
• Game 2 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (April 29): Philadelphia 107, Cleveland 101
• Game 3 @ The Coliseum
  Coliseum at Richfield
  The Coliseum at Richfield was an arena located in Richfield Township in Summit County, Ohio, roughly halfway between Cleveland and Akron...
  
  , Richfield (May 1): Cleveland 122, Philadelphia 95
• Game 4 @ The Coliseum
  Coliseum at Richfield
  The Coliseum at Richfield was an arena located in Richfield Township in Summit County, Ohio, roughly halfway between Cleveland and Akron...
  
  , Richfield (May 3): Cleveland 108, Philadelphia 96
• Game 5 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (May 5): Philadelphia 113, Cleveland 97

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff meeting)

(3) Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...

vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....

:
Bulls win series 3-1

• Game 1 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (April 27): Chicago 111, Milwaukee 97
• Game 2 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (April 29): Chicago 109, Milwaukee 102
• Game 3 @ Bradley Center
  Bradley Center
  The Bradley Center is an indoor arena, located on the northwest corner of North 4th and West State Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin....
  
  , Milwaukee (May 1): Milwaukee 119, Chicago 112
• Game 4 @ Bradley Center
  Bradley Center
  The Bradley Center is an indoor arena, located on the northwest corner of North 4th and West State Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin....
  
  , Milwaukee (May 3): Chicago 110, Milwaukee 86

Last Playoff Meeting: 1985 Eastern Conference First Round

1985 NBA Playoffs

The 1985 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1984-85 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, four games to two, in the NBA Finals...

 (Milwaukee won 3-1)

(4) Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...

 vs. (5) New York Knicks

New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...

:
Knicks win series 3-2

• Game 1 @ Boston Garden
  Boston Garden
  The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
  
  , Boston (April 26): Boston 116, New York 105
• Game 2 @ Boston Garden
  Boston Garden
  The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
  
  , Boston (April 28): Boston 157, New York 128
• Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
  
  , New York City (May 2): New York 102, Boston 99
• Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
  
  , New York City (May 4): New York 135, Boston 108
• Game 5 @ Boston Garden
  Boston Garden
  The Boston Garden was an arena in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Designed by boxing promoter Tex Rickard, who also built the third iteration of New York's Madison Square Garden, it opened on November 17, 1928 as "Boston Madison Square Garden" and outlived its original namesake by some 30 years...
  
  , Boston (May 6): New York 121, Boston 114

Last Playoff Meeting: 1988 Eastern Conference First Round

1988 NBA Playoffs

The 1988 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1987-1988 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons four games to three in the Finals...

 (Boston won 3-1)

Conference Semifinals

(1) Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...

vs. (5) New York Knicks

New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...

:
Pistons win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (May 8): Detroit 112, New York 77
• Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (May 10): Detroit 104, New York 97
• Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
  
  , New York City (May 12): New York 111, Detroit 103
• Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden
  Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
  
  , New York City (May 13): Detroit 102, New York 90
• Game 5 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (May 15): Detroit 95, New York 84

Last Playoff Meeting: 1984 Eastern Conference First Round

1984 NBA Playoffs

The 1984 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1983-84 season. This was the first postseason allowing sixteen teams to qualify, a format that is still in use as of 2011...

 (New York won 3-2)

(2) Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...

 vs. (3) Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...

:
Bulls win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (May 7): Chicago 96, Philadelphia 85
• Game 2 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (May 9): Chicago 101, Philadelphia 96
• Game 3 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (May 11): Philadelphia 118, Chicago 112
• Game 4 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (May 13): Chicago 111, Philadelphia 101
• Game 5 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (May 16): Chicago 117, Philadelphia 99

Last Playoff Meeting: Not available (first playoff meeting)

Conference Finals

(1) Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...

vs. (3) Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...

:
Pistons win series 4-3

• Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (May 20): Detroit 86, Chicago 77
• Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (May 22): Detroit 102, Chicago 93
• Game 3 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (May 26): Chicago 107, Detroit 102
• Game 4 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (May 28): Chicago 108, Detroit 101
• Game 5 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (May 30): Detroit 97, Chicago 83
• Game 6 @ Chicago Stadium
  Chicago Stadium
  The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
  
  , Chicago (June 1): Chicago 109, Detroit 91
• Game 7 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (June 3): Detroit 93, Chicago 74

Last Playoff Meeting: 1989 Eastern Conference Finals

1989 NBA Playoffs

The 1989 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1988-89 NBA season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers, who were severely hampered by injuries, four...

 (Detroit won 4-2)

NBA finals

(1) Detroit Pistons

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...

vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...

:
Pistons win series 4-1

• Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (June 5): Detroit 105, Portland 99
• Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills
  The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
  
  , Auburn Hills (June 7): Portland 106, Detroit 105
• Game 3 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (June 10): Detroit 121, Portland 106
• Game 4 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (June 12): Detroit 112, Portland 109
• Game 5 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (June 14): Detroit 92, Portland 90 (Vinnie Johnson
  Vinnie Johnson
  Vincent "Vinnie" Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player and a key player as sixth man for the Detroit Pistons during the team's NBA championships of 1989 and 1990.-College basketball career:...
  
  hits the championship-winning shot with 0.7 seconds left)

External links

• Basketball-Reference's 1990 NBA Playoffs page