The 1986-87 Detroit Pistons marked a significant step in the team’s evolution under coach Chuck Daly. Finishing the regular season with a 52-30 record, they secured the third seed in the Eastern Conference. This success was driven by the emergence of their dynamic backcourt duo, Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, along with key contributions from Bill Laimbeer and Vinnie Johnson.
In the playoffs, the Pistons defeated the Washington Bullets in the first round, advancing to face the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Pistons triumphed over the Hawks in a hard-fought series, winning 4-1. However, their journey ended in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, where they lost a closely contested seven-game series. This playoff run laid the groundwork for the Pistons’ eventual rise to prominence as NBA champions in the following years.
- Regular Season Record: 52-30
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals: 3-4
Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats for 1986-87 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Adrian Dantley | 81 | 21.5 | 4.1 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 16.6 | 15 | 20.5 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Isiah Thomas | 81 | 20.6 | 3.9 | 10.0 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 19.4 | 15 | 24.1 | 4.5 | 8.7 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 30.3 |
| Vinnie Johnson | 78 | 15.7 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 28.6 | 15 | 14.7 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Bill Laimbeer | 82 | 15.4 | 11.6 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 28.6 | 15 | 12.3 | 10.4 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 20.0 |
| Joe Dumars | 79 | 11.8 | 2.1 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 40.9 | 15 | 12.7 | 1.3 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 66.7 |
| Sidney Green | 80 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 9 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Dennis Rodman | 77 | 6.5 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 15 | 6.5 | 4.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Rick Mahorn | 63 | 6.1 | 6.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 15 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| John Salley | 82 | 5.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 15 | 6.2 | 4.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Tony Campbell | 40 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Kurt Nimphius | 28 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Cozell McQueen | 3 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chuck Nevitt | 41 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Jeff Taylor | 12 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| John Schweitz | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Detroit Pistons in the 1987 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Washington Bullets
In the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons showcased their burgeoning potential by defeating the Washington Bullets in a decisive 3-0 sweep during the first round. Led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, the Pistons demonstrated the tenacity and defensive prowess that would become hallmarks of their u0022Bad Boysu0022 era. This victory marked a critical step in their evolution into a championship-contending team.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 1987 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 106-92 | |
| Apr 26, 1987 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 128-85 | |
| Apr 29, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 97-96 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Atlanta Hawks
In the second round of the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons faced off against the Atlanta Hawks, marking a pivotal moment in the rise of the u0022Bad Boysu0022 era. Led by Isiah Thomas and a rugged defensive core, the Pistons showcased their tenacity and resilience, eventually winning the series in five games. This victory highlighted the emergence of Detroit's physical style and set the stage for their future dominance in the late 1980s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 03, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 112-111 | |
| May 05, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 115-102 | |
| May 08, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 108-99 | |
| May 10, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 89-88 | |
| May 13, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 104-96 |
1987 Conference Championship vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons reached the Eastern Conference Finals, marking a significant step in their evolution into a dominant force. Led by Isiah Thomas, the Pistons faced off against the Boston Celtics in a grueling seven-game series that showcased the intense rivalry between the two teams. Despite a valiant effort, Detroit fell short, losing in a dramatic Game 7, but the experience laid the groundwork for their eventual championship success in the late '80s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 104-91 | |
| May 21, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 110-101 | |
| May 23, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 122-104 | |
| May 24, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 145-119 | |
| May 26, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 108-107 | |
| May 28, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 113-105 | |
| May 30, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-114 |
Detroit Pistons 1986-87 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1986-87 season for the Detroit Pistons.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 120-104 | |
| Nov 01, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 92-89 | |
| Nov 05, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 109-85 | |
| Nov 07, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 115-109 | |
| Nov 08, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 103-89 | |
| Nov 12, 1986 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 108-100 | |
| Nov 14, 1986 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 105-100 | |
| Nov 15, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 118-111 | |
| Nov 19, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 119-105 | |
| Nov 21, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-110 | |
| Nov 22, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 93-84 | |
| Nov 28, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 120-99 | |
| Dec 03, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 107-106 | |
| Dec 04, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 113-105 | |
| Dec 06, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 128-113 | |
| Dec 10, 1986 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 108-101 | |
| Dec 12, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 116-115 | |
| Dec 13, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 119-114 | |
| Dec 16, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 111-100 | |
| Dec 17, 1986 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 122-107 | |
| Dec 19, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 114-84 | |
| Dec 20, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 98-88 | |
| Dec 23, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 111-98 | |
| Dec 26, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 121-106 | |
| Dec 27, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | W 107-105 | |
| Dec 30, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-99 | |
| Jan 02, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 129-128 | |
| Jan 03, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 124-119 | |
| Jan 07, 1987 | vs. New York Knicks | W 122-111 | |
| Jan 09, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 131-123 | |
| Jan 10, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 118-101 | |
| Jan 13, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 103-101 | |
| Jan 14, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 104-87 | |
| Jan 16, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 112-106 | |
| Jan 17, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 123-113 | |
| Jan 19, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 108-98 | |
| Jan 21, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 112-108 | |
| Jan 23, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-97 | |
| Jan 24, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 138-113 | |
| Jan 26, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 120-118 | |
| Jan 27, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 118-107 | |
| Jan 29, 1987 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 112-101 | |
| Jan 31, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 114-113 | |
| Feb 01, 1987 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 94-92 | |
| Feb 05, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 98-93 | |
| Feb 11, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 123-113 | |
| Feb 12, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 113-109 | |
| Feb 14, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 125-107 | |
| Feb 17, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 107-103 | |
| Feb 19, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-105 | |
| Feb 21, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 102-97 | |
| Feb 22, 1987 | vs. New York Knicks | W 122-110 | |
| Feb 24, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 120-112 | |
| Feb 25, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-105 | |
| Feb 27, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 123-111 | |
| Mar 01, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 112-102 | |
| Mar 04, 1987 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 125-120 | |
| Mar 06, 1987 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 125-115 | |
| Mar 08, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 122-119 | |
| Mar 10, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 116-93 | |
| Mar 11, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 107-98 | |
| Mar 13, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 100-99 | |
| Mar 14, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 98-95 | |
| Mar 16, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 115-95 | |
| Mar 18, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 113-112 | |
| Mar 21, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 122-118 | |
| Mar 23, 1987 | @ Houston Rockets | W 114-110 | |
| Mar 25, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 127-115 | |
| Mar 26, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 128-111 | |
| Mar 28, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 121-109 | |
| Mar 29, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-107 | |
| Mar 31, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 113-111 | |
| Apr 02, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 119-73 | |
| Apr 03, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 119-115 | |
| Apr 05, 1987 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 125-107 | |
| Apr 07, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 116-86 | |
| Apr 10, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 101-99 | |
| Apr 12, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | L 103-98 | |
| Apr 13, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 120-100 | |
| Apr 15, 1987 | vs. New York Knicks | W 118-114 | |
| Apr 17, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 130-117 | |
| Apr 18, 1987 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 124-110 |