The 2008-09 Detroit Pistons season was marked by significant changes and challenges. The team finished the regular season with a 39-43 record, securing the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. This was a notable decline from their previous years of dominance.
One of the season’s most pivotal moments was the trade of Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Allen Iverson. While Iverson brought star power, the chemistry and performance of the team suffered. Head coach Michael Curry, in his first year, faced difficulties managing player roles and rotations.
The Pistons entered the playoffs but were swiftly eliminated in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 4-0 sweep. This season marked the end of an era for Detroit, as they missed the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001, signaling a need for rebuilding and strategic changes.
- Regular Season Record: 39-43
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-4
Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats for 2008-09 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Richard Hamilton | 67 | 18.3 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 36.8 | 4 | 13.3 | 2.8 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| Allen Iverson | 54 | 17.4 | 3.1 | 4.9 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 28.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tayshaun Prince | 82 | 14.2 | 5.8 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 39.7 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| Rodney Stuckey | 79 | 13.4 | 3.5 | 4.9 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 29.5 | 4 | 15.0 | 2.3 | 5.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chauncey Billups | 2 | 12.5 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 28.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rasheed Wallace | 66 | 12.0 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 35.4 | 4 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 50.0 |
| Antonio McDyess | 62 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 4 | 13.0 | 8.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Will Bynum | 57 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 15.8 | 4 | 11.8 | 1.5 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| Jason Maxiell | 78 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Arron Afflalo | 74 | 4.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 40.2 | 4 | 6.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| Kwame Brown | 58 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Walter Herrmann | 59 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 34.2 | 4 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Amir Johnson | 62 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Alex Acker | 7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Walter Sharpe | 8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Detroit Pistons in the 2009 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Detroit Pistons faced a formidable opponent in the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first round. The Pistons struggled to contain LeBron James, who was at the peak of his powers, leading to a swift series sweep as the Cavaliers won 4-0. This series marked the end of an era for Detroit, highlighting the need for a rebuild after years of playoff success.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2009 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 102-84 | |
| Apr 21, 2009 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 94-82 | |
| Apr 24, 2009 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 79-68 | |
| Apr 26, 2009 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 99-78 |
Detroit Pistons 2008-09 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2008-09 season for the Detroit Pistons.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2008 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 100-94 | |
| Nov 01, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 117-109 | |
| Nov 03, 2008 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 101-83 | |
| Nov 05, 2008 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 100-93 | |
| Nov 07, 2008 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 103-96 | |
| Nov 09, 2008 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 88-76 | |
| Nov 11, 2008 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 100-92 | |
| Nov 13, 2008 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 107-102 | |
| Nov 14, 2008 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 106-95 | |
| Nov 16, 2008 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 104-86 | |
| Nov 19, 2008 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 96-89 | |
| Nov 20, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 98-80 | |
| Nov 23, 2008 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 106-80 | |
| Nov 26, 2008 | vs. New York Knicks | W 110-96 | |
| Nov 28, 2008 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 107-97 | |
| Nov 30, 2008 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 96-85 | |
| Dec 02, 2008 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 89-77 | |
| Dec 05, 2008 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 96-91 | |
| Dec 07, 2008 | @ New York Knicks | L 104-92 | |
| Dec 09, 2008 | @ Washington Wizards | L 107-94 | |
| Dec 12, 2008 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 114-110 | |
| Dec 13, 2008 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 90-86 | |
| Dec 17, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 88-74 | |
| Dec 19, 2008 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 120-114 | |
| Dec 21, 2008 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 85-78 | |
| Dec 23, 2008 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 104-98 | |
| Dec 26, 2008 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 90-88 | |
| Dec 27, 2008 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 87-76 | |
| Dec 29, 2008 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 88-82 | |
| Dec 31, 2008 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 83-75 | |
| Jan 02, 2009 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 98-92 | |
| Jan 04, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 88-87 | |
| Jan 07, 2009 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 84-83 | |
| Jan 09, 2009 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 93-90 | |
| Jan 10, 2009 | @ Utah Jazz | L 99-82 | |
| Jan 13, 2009 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | L 80-78 | |
| Jan 14, 2009 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 110-106 | |
| Jan 16, 2009 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | L 89-79 | |
| Jan 17, 2009 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 91-85 | |
| Jan 19, 2009 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 87-79 | |
| Jan 21, 2009 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 95-76 | |
| Jan 23, 2009 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 112-91 | |
| Jan 25, 2009 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 108-105 | |
| Jan 28, 2009 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 98-89 | |
| Jan 30, 2009 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 86-78 | |
| Feb 01, 2009 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 90-80 | |
| Feb 04, 2009 | vs. Miami Heat | W 93-90 | |
| Feb 07, 2009 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 126-121 | |
| Feb 08, 2009 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 107-97 | |
| Feb 10, 2009 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-102 | |
| Feb 11, 2009 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 99-95 | |
| Feb 17, 2009 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 92-86 | |
| Feb 19, 2009 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 83-79 | |
| Feb 22, 2009 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 99-78 | |
| Feb 24, 2009 | @ Miami Heat | L 103-91 | |
| Feb 25, 2009 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 90-87 | |
| Feb 27, 2009 | @ Orlando Magic | W 93-85 | |
| Mar 01, 2009 | @ Boston Celtics | W 105-95 | |
| Mar 03, 2009 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 100-95 | |
| Mar 06, 2009 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 108-91 | |
| Mar 07, 2009 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 87-83 | |
| Mar 09, 2009 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 98-94 | |
| Mar 11, 2009 | vs. New York Knicks | L 116-111 | |
| Mar 13, 2009 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 99-95 | |
| Mar 15, 2009 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | L 89-84 | |
| Mar 17, 2009 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 103-101 | |
| Mar 18, 2009 | @ Houston Rockets | L 106-101 | |
| Mar 20, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 108-90 | |
| Mar 22, 2009 | vs. Miami Heat | L 101-96 | |
| Mar 24, 2009 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 99-91 | |
| Mar 26, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 92-77 | |
| Mar 28, 2009 | @ Washington Wizards | W 98-96 | |
| Mar 29, 2009 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 101-97 | |
| Mar 31, 2009 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 79-73 | |
| Apr 01, 2009 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 111-98 | |
| Apr 04, 2009 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-90 | |
| Apr 05, 2009 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 104-97 | |
| Apr 08, 2009 | @ New York Knicks | W 113-86 | |
| Apr 10, 2009 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 100-93 | |
| Apr 11, 2009 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 106-102 | |
| Apr 13, 2009 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 91-88 | |
| Apr 15, 2009 | @ Miami Heat | L 102-96 |