1989–90 Detroit Pistons season

1989–90 Detroit Pistons season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachChuck Daly
General managerJack McCloskey
OwnersWilliam Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record59–23 (.720)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Trail Blazers 4–1)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
PASS Sports
RadioWWJ
< 1988–89 1990–91 >

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 42nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 33rd season in the city of Detroit.[1] The team played at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Auburn Hills, Michigan. As the defending champions, the Pistons had another successful season winning 13 consecutive games around January and February,[2] holding a 35–14 record at the All-Star break,[3] then posting a 12-game winning streak in March,[4][5] as they finished first place in the Eastern Conference with a 59–23 record.[6]

Isiah Thomas led the team with 18.4 points, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while last year's Finals MVP Joe Dumars averaged 17.8 points and 4.9 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and Dennis Rodman provided the team with 8.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and was named Defensive Player of the Year.[7][8][9][10] In addition, James Edwards provided with 14.5 points per game, while Mark Aguirre contributed 14.1 points per game, and Bill Laimbeer averaged 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Vinnie Johnson contributed 9.8 points per game, and John Salley led the team with 1.9 blocks per game.[11] Thomas, Dumars and Rodman were all selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, with head coach Chuck Daly coaching the Eastern Conference.[12][13][14][15] Dumars and Rodman were both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pistons swept the Indiana Pacers in three straight games,[16][17][18][19] then defeated the 5th-seeded New York Knicks four games to one in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.[20][21][22][23] In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls in seven games to advance to the NBA Finals for the third straight year.[24][25][26][27]

In the Finals, the Pistons faced the Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by Clyde Drexler. The Pistons won Game 1 at home, 105–99,[28][29][30] but lost Game 2 in overtime, 106–105 as the Blazers tied the series at one game a piece,[31][32][33] the Pistons defeated the Blazers in five hard-fought games to win their second consecutive NBA championship. Thomas was named NBA Finals MVP.[34][35][36][37][38] The Pistons would not reach the NBA Finals again until 2004, in which they won the Finals in five games against their heavily favored rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers to win their third NBA championship.[39]

Draft picks

Main article: 1989 NBA draft

Roster

1989–90 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G/F 23 Aguirre, Mark 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1959–12–10 DePaul
C 00 Bedford, William 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–14 Memphis
G 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
C 53 Edwards, James 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
F 33 Greenwood, Dave 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1957–05–27 UCLA
F 35 Hastings, Scott 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1960–06–03 Arkansas
G 12 Henderson, Gerald 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1956–01–16 VCU
G 15 Johnson, Vinnie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1956–09–01 Baylor
F/C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–05–19 Notre Dame
F 10 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
F/C 22 Salley, John 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–16 Georgia Tech
G 11 Thomas, Isiah 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–04–30 Indiana
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-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720 – 35–6 24–17 22–8
x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4 36–5 19–22 20–10
x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15 27–14 17–24 14–16
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17 27–14 15–26 14–16
x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17 28–13 14–27 16–14
Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18 25–16 16–25 15–15
Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41 12–29 6–35 4–26
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720 –
2 y-Philadelphia 76ers 53 29 .646 6
3 x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4
4 x-Boston Celtics 52 30 .634 7
5 x-New York Knicks 45 37 .549 14
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15
7 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17
9 Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18
10 Washington Bullets 31 51 .378 28
11 Miami Heat 18 64 .220 41
12 Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41
13 New Jersey Nets 17 65 .207 42

[40]

Record vs. opponents

1989-90 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta — 1–3 2–0 0–5 2–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 5–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 3–1 — 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 5–1 4–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3
Charlotte 0–2 0–2 — 0–2 1–1 1–3 3–2 0–2 2–2 1–4 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 0–5 0–2
Chicago 5–0 2–2 2–0 — 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1
Cleveland 3–2 1–3 1–1 0–5 — 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 — 2–3 1–1 3–1 4–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–3 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 — 0–2 2–2 4–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 4–0 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1
Detroit 2–3 2–2 2–0 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 — 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 5–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Golden State 0–2 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 — 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–3 2–2 1–1
Houston 0–2 0–2 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–4 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–2 1–1
Indiana 3–2 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–1 1–1 — 0–2 0–2 3–1 3–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 — 1–4 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–5 2–3 0–4 3–2 0–4 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 — 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–3 5–0 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–1
Miami 0–4 0–5 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 — 2–2 1–1 1–4 1–5 3–1 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Milwaukee 2–3 2–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 — 2–0 4–0 2–2 5–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–5 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 0–2 — 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 0–5 1–1
New Jersey 2–2 1–5 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 0–2 0–2 4–1 0–4 1–1 — 1–4 1–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York 3–1 1–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 — 2–2 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Orlando 0–5 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–5 1–1 3–1 2–2 — 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4
Philadelphia 2–2 2–3 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 2–2 — 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 5–0 2–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 — 2–3 5–0 0–4 3–2 3–1 2–0
Portland 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 — 4–0 3–1 3–2 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 0–4 — 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 — 3–1 3–2 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 2–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 2–3 2–2 1–3 — 1–3 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–3 3–1 — 2–0
Washington 2–2 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–5 4–0 1–5 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

1989–90 game log
Total: 59–23 (Home: 35–6; Road: 24–17)
November: 9–5 (home: 5–1; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
December: 9–6 (home: 5–1; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
January: 12–3 (home: 8–1; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
February: 10–1 (home: 6–0; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
March: 11–4 (home: 6–0; road: 5–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
April: 7–4 (home: 4–3; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1989–90 schedule

Playoffs

1990 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 26 Indiana W 104–92 James Edwards (21) Bill Laimbeer (14) Thomas, Dumars (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 April 28 Indiana W 100–87 Bill Laimbeer (22) Bill Laimbeer (11) Isiah Thomas (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–0
3 May 1 @ Indiana W 108–96 Isiah Thomas (23) Bill Laimbeer (19) Isiah Thomas (9) Market Square Arena
15,301 		3–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 8 New York W 112–77 Isiah Thomas (21) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 May 10 New York W 104–97 James Edwards (32) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–0
3 May 12 @ New York L 103–111 Isiah Thomas (20) Dennis Rodman (8) Isiah Thomas (6) Madison Square Garden
18,212 		2–1
4 May 13 @ New York W 102–90 James Edwards (19) Dennis Rodman (14) Isiah Thomas (11) Madison Square Garden
18,212 		3–1
5 May 15 New York W 95–84 Mark Aguirre (25) Dennis Rodman (11) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 20 Chicago W 86–77 Joe Dumars (27) Dennis Rodman (13) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 May 22 Chicago W 102–93 Joe Dumars (31) Laimbeer, Johnson (8) Thomas, Johnson (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–0
3 May 26 @ Chicago L 102–107 Isiah Thomas (36) Bill Laimbeer (8) Isiah Thomas (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		2–1
4 May 28 @ Chicago L 101–108 Isiah Thomas (26) Dennis Rodman (20) Isiah Thomas (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		2–2
5 May 30 Chicago W 97–83 Joe Dumars (20) John Salley (10) Isiah Thomas (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		3–2
6 June 1 @ Chicago L 91–109 Joe Dumars (23) Rodman, Laimbeer (8) Isiah Thomas (10) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		3–3
7 June 3 Chicago W 93–74 Isiah Thomas (21) Mark Aguirre (10) Isiah Thomas (11) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		4–3
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 1–1; road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 5 Portland W 105–99 Isiah Thomas (33) Bill Laimbeer (15) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 June 7 Portland L 105–106 (OT) Edwards, Laimbeer (26) Bill Laimbeer (11) Isiah Thomas (11) The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–1
3 June 10 @ Portland W 121–106 Joe Dumars (33) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		2–1
4 June 12 @ Portland W 112–109 Isiah Thomas (32) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,642 		3–1
5 June 14 @ Portland W 92–90 Isiah Thomas (29) Bill Laimbeer (17) Joe Dumars (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,642 		4–1
1990 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Aguirre 78 40 25.7 .488 .333 .756 3.9 1.9 .44 .24 14.1
William Bedford 42 0 5.9 .432 .167 .409 1.4 .1 .07 .40 2.8
Joe Dumars 75 71 34.4 .480 .400 .900 2.8 4.9 .84 .03 17.8
James Edwards 82 70 27.8 .498 .000 .749 4.2 .8 .28 .45 14.5
Dave Greenwood 37 0 5.5 .423 .000 .552 2.1 .3 .11 .24 1.6
Scott Hastings 40 0 4.2 .303 .250 .864 .8 .2 .08 .08 1.0
Gerald Henderson 46 0 7.3 .506 .452 .769 .7 1.3 .17 .04 2.3
Vinnie Johnson 82 12 24.0 .431 .147 .668 3.1 3.1 .87 .16 9.8
Stan Kimbrough 10 0 5.0 .438 .000 1.000 .7 .5 .40 .00 1.6
Bill Laimbeer 81 81 33.0 .484 .361 .854 9.6 2.1 .70 1.04 12.1
Ralph Lewis 4 0 1.5 .000 .000 .000 .0 .0 .00 .00 .0
Dennis Rodman 82 43 29.0 .581 .111 .654 9.7 .9 .63 .73 8.8
John Salley 82 12 23.3 .512 .250 .713 5.4 .8 .62 1.87 7.2
Isiah Thomas 81 81 37.0 .438 .309 .775 3.8 9.4 1.72 .23 18.4

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Aguirre 20 3 22.0 .467 .333 .750 4.6 1.4 .50 .15 11.0
William Bedford 5 0 3.8 .167 .000 1.000 .4 .0 .00 .20 .8
Joe Dumars 20 20 37.7 .458 .263 .876 2.2 4.8 1.10 .00 18.2
James Edwards 20 20 26.8 .494 .000 .604 3.6 .6 .25 .55 14.3
Dave Greenwood 5 0 9.4 .500 .000 .250 1.8 .0 .40 .00 1.0
Scott Hastings 5 0 3.2 .250 .000 .000 .0 .0 .20 .00 .4
Gerald Henderson 8 0 2.4 .200 .000 .000 .4 .5 .25 .00 .2
Vinnie Johnson 20 0 23.2 .462 .286 .791 2.8 2.7 .40 .20 10.3
Bill Laimbeer 20 20 33.4 .457 .349 .862 10.6 1.4 1.15 .90 11.1
Dennis Rodman 19 17 29.5 .568 .000 .514 8.5 .9 .47 .68 6.6
John Salley 20 0 27.4 .475 .000 .755 5.8 1.0 .45 1.65 9.5
Isiah Thomas 20 20 37.9 .463 .471 .794 5.4 8.2 2.15 .35 20.4

Awards and records

References

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  2. ^ Hafner, Dan (February 22, 1990). "NBA ROUNDUP: Pistons Don't Let Up on Magic, 140-109". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  3. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. ^ DiGiovanni, Joe (March 20, 1990). "Pistons 117, Bucks 96". United Press International. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  5. ^ Aldridge, David (March 25, 1990). "Pistons Frightening Everybody". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  6. ^ "1989–90 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dennis Rodman NBA Defensive Player of Year". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1990. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  8. ^ Shook, Richard L. (May 7, 1990). "Pistons' Rodman Voted Defensive Player of Year". United Press International. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  9. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 8, 1990). "Rodman Is the Key to Piston Defense". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  10. ^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
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  12. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 11, 1990). "NBA ALL-STAR GAME: Entire Family Is Back Together--Almost". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  13. ^ "Bird, Johnson Return Magic to All-Star Game". Sun Sentinel. February 11, 1990. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  16. ^ Slater, Jim (May 1, 1990). "Pistons 108, Pacers 96". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  17. ^ "Pistons Sweep the Pacers to Start Defense of Title". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 2, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Albom, Mitch (May 2, 1990). "Pistons Hush Pacers in Rite of Champions". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
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  20. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 16, 1990). "Pistons' Defense Leaves Knicks Out in Cold". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  21. ^ "Detroit Eliminates New York, 95-84: Eastern Conference: Mark Aguirre Comes Off the Bench to Scores 25 Points. Pistons Make Their Fourth Consecutive Trip to the Conference Finals". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
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  25. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 4, 1990). "Pistons: Job Still to Be Done: Pro Basketball: Detroit Finishes Chicago, 93-74, But the Celebration Is Muted, Because NBA Final Series with Portland Is Ahead". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  26. ^ Harris, John (June 4, 1990). "Pistons Bury Bulls with Early Flurry in 93-74 Victory". Deseret News. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  27. ^ "1990 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Bulls vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 6, 1990). "Portland Tries to Swallow a Bitter Loss". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  29. ^ McManis, Sam (June 6, 1990). "Daly Simply Puts Trust in Thomas as Pistons Rally: NBA Finals: Detroit Guard Scores 14 of His 33 Points During a 19-4 Piston Run That Beats Portland, 105-99". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  30. ^ Aldridge, David (June 6, 1990). "Thomas Leads, Pistons Follow to 105-99 Game 1 Victory". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 8, 1990). "BASKETBALL; Drexler Is Confident as Blazers Go Home". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  32. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 8, 1990). "Trail Blazers Get Even for Game 1 Collapse, 106-105: NBA Finals: Drexler's Free Throws Finally Defuse Laimbeer's Bombs in Overtime. The Next Three Games Are in Portland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  33. ^ Aldridge, David (June 8, 1990). "Blazers Win in Overtime". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  34. ^ Barnes, Mike (June 14, 1990). "Pistons 92, Trail Blazers 90". United Press International. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  35. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1990). "Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  36. ^ McManis, Sam (June 15, 1990). "Vinnie, Vidi, Vici: Pistons Repeat Feat: NBA Finals: Johnson Hits Game-Winner in Last Second as Detroit Rallies from Seven-Point Deficit for a 92-90 Victory. Thomas Is the Unanimous Choice as MVP". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  37. ^ Aldridge, David (June 15, 1990). "In Final Second, Pistons Win Second Finals". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
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  39. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Teamwork Thumps Star Power". The New York Times. June 16, 2004. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  40. ^ 1989-90 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com