The 1990-91 Detroit Pistons season was marked by the team’s attempt to defend their NBA title after back-to-back championships. Coached by Chuck Daly, the Pistons finished the regular season with a solid 50-32 record, securing the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars continued to lead the team, supported by the defensive prowess of Dennis Rodman, who was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive time.
In the playoffs, the Pistons reached the Eastern Conference Finals, showcasing their trademark grit and resilience. However, they faced a formidable challenge from the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. The series ended in a four-game sweep, marking the end of Detroit’s dominance in the East. This season is often seen as a transitional period for the Pistons, as they began to yield their position to the rising Bulls dynasty.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-2, Eastern Conference Finals: 0-4
Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats for 1990-91 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Joe Dumars | 80 | 20.4 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 31.1 | 15 | 20.6 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 40.5 |
| Isiah Thomas | 48 | 16.2 | 3.3 | 9.3 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 29.2 | 13 | 13.5 | 4.2 | 8.5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 27.3 |
| Mark Aguirre | 78 | 14.2 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 30.8 | 15 | 15.6 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 36.4 |
| James Edwards | 72 | 13.6 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 50.0 | 15 | 10.7 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Vinnie Johnson | 82 | 11.7 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 32.3 | 15 | 15.2 | 5.1 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 15.4 |
| Bill Laimbeer | 82 | 11.0 | 9.0 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 29.6 | 15 | 10.9 | 8.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 29.4 |
| Dennis Rodman | 82 | 8.2 | 12.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 20.0 | 15 | 6.3 | 11.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 22.2 |
| John Salley | 74 | 7.4 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 15 | 7.5 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Gerald Henderson | 23 | 5.3 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 10 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| William Bedford | 60 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 38.4 | 8 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| John Long | 25 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Scott Hastings | 27 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 75.0 | 10 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 50.0 |
| Lance Blanks | 38 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 12.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tree Rollins | 37 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
Detroit Pistons in the 1991 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Atlanta Hawks
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons, the reigning back-to-back champions, faced the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. The Pistons showcased their defensive prowess and veteran experience, clinching the series 3-2 in a hard-fought battle. Led by the grit of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, Detroit advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, continuing their quest for a third consecutive title.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 26, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 103-98 | |
| Apr 28, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 101-88 | |
| Apr 30, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 103-91 | |
| May 02, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 123-111 | |
| May 05, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 113-81 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons faced the Boston Celtics in the second round. The Pistons displayed their trademark toughness and defensive prowess, eventually overcoming the Celtics in a hard-fought six-game series. This victory propelled them to their fifth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals, underscoring their dominance during this era.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | W 86-75 | |
| May 09, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 109-103 | |
| May 11, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 115-83 | |
| May 13, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 104-97 | |
| May 15, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | W 116-111 | |
| May 17, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 117-113 |
1991 Conference Championship vs. Chicago Bulls
In the 1991 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons, known for their u0022Bad Boysu0022 persona, faced the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite their previous dominance, the Pistons were overwhelmed by a rising Bulls team led by Michael Jordan, resulting in a 4-0 sweep. This series marked a significant turning point, as it ended the Pistons' quest for a third consecutive championship and signaled the beginning of the Bulls' dynasty.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 94-83 | |
| May 21, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 105-97 | |
| May 25, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 113-107 | |
| May 27, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 115-94 |
Detroit Pistons 1990-91 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1990-91 season for the Detroit Pistons.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 02, 1990 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 115-104 | |
| Nov 03, 1990 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 106-97 | |
| Nov 06, 1990 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-92 | |
| Nov 07, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 110-83 | |
| Nov 09, 1990 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 113-101 | |
| Nov 13, 1990 | vs. Miami Heat | W 118-93 | |
| Nov 16, 1990 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-96 | |
| Nov 17, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 91-83 | |
| Nov 20, 1990 | @ Miami Heat | W 106-90 | |
| Nov 21, 1990 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 108-100 | |
| Nov 23, 1990 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 97-88 | |
| Nov 25, 1990 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 105-92 | |
| Nov 27, 1990 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 120-97 | |
| Nov 28, 1990 | vs. New York Knicks | W 90-83 | |
| Nov 30, 1990 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-94 | |
| Dec 01, 1990 | @ Washington Bullets | L 94-83 | |
| Dec 04, 1990 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-90 | |
| Dec 05, 1990 | @ Utah Jazz | L 106-85 | |
| Dec 07, 1990 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 113-110 | |
| Dec 08, 1990 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 104-93 | |
| Dec 11, 1990 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 95-86 | |
| Dec 14, 1990 | @ Boston Celtics | L 108-100 | |
| Dec 18, 1990 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-101 | |
| Dec 19, 1990 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 105-84 | |
| Dec 21, 1990 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 113-87 | |
| Dec 22, 1990 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 106-99 | |
| Dec 25, 1990 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 98-86 | |
| Dec 26, 1990 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 102-94 | |
| Dec 28, 1990 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 97-85 | |
| Dec 29, 1990 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 99-84 | |
| Jan 02, 1991 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 118-107 | |
| Jan 04, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 98-94 | |
| Jan 05, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 99-83 | |
| Jan 08, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 101-98 | |
| Jan 11, 1991 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 100-98 | |
| Jan 12, 1991 | vs. Miami Heat | W 109-103 | |
| Jan 14, 1991 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 89-81 | |
| Jan 17, 1991 | @ Houston Rockets | W 97-91 | |
| Jan 18, 1991 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 103-102 | |
| Jan 21, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 101-90 | |
| Jan 23, 1991 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-94 | |
| Jan 25, 1991 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 84-82 | |
| Jan 26, 1991 | @ Orlando Magic | W 121-81 | |
| Jan 28, 1991 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 87-81 | |
| Jan 30, 1991 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 93-84 | |
| Feb 01, 1991 | @ Washington Bullets | W 80-75 | |
| Feb 03, 1991 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 112-97 | |
| Feb 05, 1991 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 107-98 | |
| Feb 07, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 95-93 | |
| Feb 13, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 105-101 | |
| Feb 14, 1991 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 102-94 | |
| Feb 17, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | L 116-88 | |
| Feb 18, 1991 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 85-83 | |
| Feb 20, 1991 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 97-89 | |
| Feb 22, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 122-114 | |
| Feb 24, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 102-96 | |
| Feb 26, 1991 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 106-103 | |
| Feb 28, 1991 | @ Miami Heat | L 100-98 | |
| Mar 01, 1991 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 94-92 | |
| Mar 03, 1991 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 107-98 | |
| Mar 06, 1991 | vs. New York Knicks | L 102-99 | |
| Mar 09, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 114-112 | |
| Mar 11, 1991 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 96-85 | |
| Mar 13, 1991 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 94-83 | |
| Mar 14, 1991 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 118-110 | |
| Mar 16, 1991 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 106-99 | |
| Mar 20, 1991 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-103 | |
| Mar 22, 1991 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 109-93 | |
| Mar 24, 1991 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 85-78 | |
| Mar 25, 1991 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 118-94 | |
| Mar 27, 1991 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-93 | |
| Mar 29, 1991 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 111-105 | |
| Apr 02, 1991 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 83-78 | |
| Apr 05, 1991 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 101-82 | |
| Apr 06, 1991 | @ New York Knicks | L 101-88 | |
| Apr 09, 1991 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 105-95 | |
| Apr 10, 1991 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 94-90 | |
| Apr 12, 1991 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 95-91 | |
| Apr 14, 1991 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 125-107 | |
| Apr 16, 1991 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 118-90 | |
| Apr 19, 1991 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 126-120 | |
| Apr 21, 1991 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 108-100 |