1990 NBA playoffs
Dates | April 26–June 14, 1990 |
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The 1990 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1989–90 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Portland Trail Blazers 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals. Isiah Thomas was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the Blazers' first trip to the NBA Finals since their victory in the 1977 NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks fell behind 2–0 to the Boston Celtics in their first round matchup, but took the series 3–2 by winning Game 5 121-114 in Boston Garden. Prior to this, the Celtics had beaten the Knicks 26 straight at the Boston Garden. This deciding game featured a missed dunk by Larry Bird late in the fourth with the Celtics trailing by four (103-99) and a clinching 3-point basket by Patrick Ewing on a play where he chased down an errant pass by Charles Oakley on the sideline in front of the Knicks' bench and hurled up a desperation shot as the shot clock was reaching zero. The basket put the Knicks up 113-101 and essentially clinched the game and the series.
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff series for the first time ever. It also marked the first time since 1981 that the Lakers failed to reach the Western Conference Finals, ending the longest such run since the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics, who made the Eastern Conference Finals thirteen consecutive times between 1957 and 1969.
It was the first NBA Finals to not feature the Lakers or Celtics since 1979.
The Chicago Bulls lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals 93–74 in Detroit, making it the third straight year they were ousted in the playoffs by the Pistons.
The Indiana Pacers made only their third playoff appearance since their NBA debut in the 1976–77 season; they proceeded to make the playoffs 16 out of the next 17 years (missing only in 1997).
The Dallas Mavericks made their only playoff appearance of the decade. They did not return until 2001.
Game 5 of the NBA Finals was the last NBA game to be televised on CBS.
Bracket
First Round
Eastern Conference First Round
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Indiana Pacers
- Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (April 26): Detroit 104, Indiana 92
- Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (April 28): Detroit 100, Indiana 87
- Game 3 @ Market Square Arena, Indianapolis (May 1): Detroit 108, Indiana 96
Pistons win series 3–0
Detroit won 4–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Pacers.[1]
(2) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (7) Cleveland Cavaliers
- 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, Richfield (May 1): Cleveland 122, Philadelphia 95
- Game 4 @ The Coliseum, Richfield (May 3): Cleveland 108, Philadelphia 96
- Game 5 @ The Spectrum, Philadelphia (May 5): Philadelphia 113, Cleveland 97
76ers win series 3–2
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
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This was the first playoff meeting between the Cavaliers and the 76ers.[2]
(3) Chicago Bulls vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks
- Game 1 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (April 27): Chicago 111, Milwaukee 97
- Game 2 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (April 29): Chicago 109, Milwaukee 102
- Game 3 @ Bradley Center, Milwaukee (May 1): Milwaukee 119, Chicago 112
- Game 4 @ Bradley Center, Milwaukee (May 3): Chicago 110, Milwaukee 86
Bulls win series 3–1
Chicago won 4–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bucks winning the first two meetings.
Milwaukee leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |
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(4) Boston Celtics vs. (5) New York Knicks
- Game 1 @ Boston Garden, Boston (April 26): Boston 116, New York 105
- Game 2 @ Boston Garden, Boston (April 28): Boston 157, New York 128
- Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 2): New York 102, Boston 99
- Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 4): New York 135, Boston 108
- Game 5 @ Boston Garden, Boston (May 6): New York 121, Boston 114 (Dennis Johnson's final NBA game)
Knicks win series 3–2
Boston won 4–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the 13th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning seven of the first 12 meetings.
Boston leads 7–5 in all-time playoff series |
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Western Conference First Round
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Houston Rockets
- 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
Lakers win series 3–1
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
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This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the first two meetings.
Houston leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |
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(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Denver Nuggets
- Game 1 @ HemisFair Arena, San Antonio (April 26): San Antonio 119, Denver 103
- Game 2 @ HemisFair Arena, San Antonio (April 28): San Antonio 129, Denver 120
- Game 3 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver (May 1): San Antonio 131, Denver 120
Spurs win series 3–0
San Antonio won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.
Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series |
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(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (6) Dallas Mavericks
- 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, Dallas (May 1): Portland 106, Dallas 92
Blazers win series 3–0
Portland won 4–0 in the regular-season series |
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This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Trail Blazers winning the first meeting.
Portland leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
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(4) Utah Jazz vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
- Game 1 @ Salt Palace, Salt Lake City (April 27): Utah 113, Phoenix 96
- Game 2 @ Salt Palace, Salt Lake City (April 29): Phoenix 105, Utah 87
- Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 2): Phoenix 120, Utah 105
- Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 4): Utah 105, Phoenix 94
- Game 5 @ Salt Palace, Salt Lake City (May 6): Phoenix 104, Utah 102 (Kevin Johnson hits the series-winning shot with 8 tenths left)
Suns win series 3–2
Phoenix won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first meeting.
Phoenix leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
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Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference Semifinals
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (5) New York Knicks
- Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 8): Detroit 112, New York 77
- Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 10): Detroit 104, New York 97
- Game 3 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 12): New York 111, Detroit 103
- Game 4 @ Madison Square Garden, New York City (May 13): Detroit 102, New York 90
- Game 5 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 15): Detroit 95, New York 84
Pistons win series 4-1
Detroit won 4–0 in the regular-season series |
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This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first meeting.
New York leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
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(2) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
- Game 1 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 7): Chicago 96, Philadelphia 85
- Game 2 @ Chicago Stadium, 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 (May 16): Chicago 117, Philadelphia 99
Bulls win series 4–1
Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
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This was the first playoff meeting between the Bulls and the 76ers.[10]
Western Conference Semifinals
(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
- 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, Phoenix (May 12): Phoenix 117, Los Angeles 103
- Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 13): Phoenix 114, Los Angeles 101
- Game 5 @ Great Western Forum, Los Angeles (May 15): Phoenix 106, Los Angeles 103 (Michael Cooper's final NBA game)
Suns win series 4–1
Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first six meetings.
Los Angeles leads 6–0 in all-time playoff series |
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(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Portland Trail Blazers
- 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, San Antonio (May 10): San Antonio 121, Portland 98
- Game 4 @ HemisFair Arena, 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, San Antonio (May 17): San Antonio 112, Portland 97
- Game 7 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 19): Portland 108, San Antonio 105 (OT)
Blazers win series 4-3
Portland won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the first playoff meeting between the Trail Blazers and the Spurs.[12]
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference Finals
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (3) Chicago Bulls
- Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 20): Detroit 86, Chicago 77
- Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 22): Detroit 102, Chicago 93
- Game 3 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 26): Chicago 107, Detroit 102
- Game 4 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (May 28): Chicago 108, Detroit 101
- Game 5 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (May 30): Detroit 97, Chicago 83
- Game 6 @ Chicago Stadium, Chicago (June 1): Chicago 109, Detroit 91
- Game 7 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (June 3): Detroit 93, Chicago 74
Pistons win series 4–3
Detroit won 4–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning two of the first three meetings.
Detroit leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series |
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Western Conference Finals
(3) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (5) Phoenix Suns
- Game 1 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 21): Portland 100, Phoenix 98 (Kevin Duckworth hits the game-winner with 17.3 seconds left)
- Game 2 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 23): Portland 108, Phoenix 107
- Game 3 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 25): Phoenix 123, Portland 89
- Game 4 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 27): Phoenix 119, Portland 107
- Game 5 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (May 29): Portland 120, Phoenix 114
- Game 6 @ Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix (May 31): Portland 112, Phoenix 109
Blazers win series 4–2
Portland won 3–2 in the regular-season series |
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This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Suns winning the first two meetings.
Phoenix leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |
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NBA Finals: (E1) Detroit Pistons vs. (W3) Portland Trail Blazers
- Game 1 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (June 5): Detroit 105, Portland 99
- Game 2 @ The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills (June 7): Portland 106, Detroit 105 (Clyde Drexler hits the game-winning free throws with 2.1 seconds left)
- Game 3 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (June 10): Detroit 121, Portland 106 (This was Detroit's first win in Portland since October 19, 1974, the second game of Bill Walton's career)
- Game 4 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (June 12): Detroit 112, Portland 109
- Game 5 @ Memorial Coliseum, Portland (June 14): Detroit 92, Portland 90 (Vinnie Johnson hits the title-winning shot with 0.7 seconds left, capping off a 9-0 run in the final two minutes)
Pistons win series 4–1
Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series |
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This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Trail Blazers.[15]
References
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Indiana Pacers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Cleveland Cavaliers versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Dallas Mavericks versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Phoenix Suns versus Utah Jazz (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Portland Trail Blazers versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Phoenix Suns versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.