1995–96 Detroit Pistons season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Pistons' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 39th season in the city of Detroit.[1] During the off-season, the Pistons hired Doug Collins as head coach,[2][3][4][5] while acquiring Otis Thorpe from the Portland Trail Blazers; Thorpe won a championship as a member of the Houston Rockets in the 1994 NBA Finals.[6][7][8] Under Collins, the Pistons, who were now led by second-year star Grant Hill and Allan Houston, struggled with a 5–9 record in November, but played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, holding a 23–22 record at the All-Star break.[9] At midseason, the team signed free agent Michael Curry, who was previously released by the Washington Bullets.[10][11] The Pistons reemerged as a playoff contender finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 46–36 record,[12] and returned to the playoffs after a three-year absence.

1995–96 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachDoug Collins
General managerRick Sund
Owner(s)Bill Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record4636 (.561)
PlaceDivision: 5th (Central)
Conference: 7th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Magic 0–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
(George Blaha, Kelly Tripucka)
PASS Sports
(Fred McLeod, Greg Kelser)
RadioWWJ
(George Blaha)

Hill led the team with 20.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[13][14][15][16] In addition, Houston finished second on the team in scoring averaging 19.7 points per game, and led them with 191 three-point field goals, while Thorpe provided the team with 14.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Joe Dumars played half of the season off the bench as the team's sixth man, averaging just 11.8 points and 4.0 assists per game,[17][18] as Lindsey Hunter was the team's starting point guard for half the season, contributing 8.5 points per game, and Terry Mills provided with 9.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game off the bench. On the defensive side, top draft pick Theo Ratliff led the team with 1.5 blocks per game off the bench, and second round draft pick Don Reid was the team's starting power forward, averaging 3.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.[19] Hill also finished tied in ninth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[20] while Collins finished tied in third place in Coach of the Year voting,[21][22]

However, in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Pistons would be swept by the Orlando Magic in three straight games.[23][24][25][26] Following the season, Houston signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks,[27][28][29][30] which left a bitter feud between Houston's and Hill's relationship,[31][32][33] and Mark West signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[34][35]

During a road game against the Magic on March 20, 1996, and with the Magic up by 20 points against the Pistons, Magic reverse guard Anthony Bowie called a timeout with 2.7 seconds left to set up a play, so he could get his first career triple-double. Collins was upset about this, and ordered his players off the court to the locker room before the game had ended. Collins was fined $5,000 by the league, as the Magic defeated the Pistons, 113–91.[36][37][38][39]

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
118Theo RatliffC/PF United StatesWyoming
119Randolph ChildressPG United StatesWake Forest
230Lou RoePF United StatesMassachusetts Amherst
258Don ReidPF United StatesGeorgetown

Roster

1995–96 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 25 Bardo, Steve 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968–04–05 Illinois
G 12 Curry, Michael 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1968–08–22 Georgia Southern
G 4 Dumars, Joe (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
F 33 Hill, Grant (C) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1972–10–05 Duke
G 20 Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1971–04–20 Tennessee
G 1 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1970–12–03 Jackson State
C 45 Leckner, Eric 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1966–05–27 Wyoming
G 2 Macon, Mark 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–04–14 Temple
F 6 Mills, Terry 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–12–21 Michigan
C 42 Ratliff, Theo 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1973–04–17 Wyoming
F 52 Reid, Don 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1973–12–30 Georgetown
F 3 Roe, Lou 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972–07–14 UMass
F/C 50 Thorpe, Otis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1962–08–05 Providence
C 41 West, Mark 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1960–11–05 Old Dominion
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 22, 1996

Regular season

Season standings

Central DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
zChicago Bulls7210.87839–233–824–482
xIndiana Pacers5230.63420.032–920–2119–982
xCleveland Cavaliers4735.57325.026–1521–2013–1582
xAtlanta Hawks4636.56126.026–1520–2115–1382
xDetroit Pistons4636.56126.030–1116–2515–1382
Charlotte Hornets4141.50031.025–1616–2513–1582
Milwaukee Bucks2557.30547.014–2711–308–2082
Toronto Raptors2161.25651.015–266–355–2382
Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1zChicago Bulls7210.87882
2yOrlando Magic6022.73212.082
3xIndiana Pacers5230.63420.082
4xCleveland Cavaliers4735.57325.082
5xNew York Knicks4735.57325.082
6xAtlanta Hawks4636.56126.082
7xDetroit Pistons4636.56126.082
8xMiami Heat4240.51230.082
9Charlotte Hornets4141.50031.082
10Washington Bullets3943.47633.082
11Boston Celtics3349.40239.082
12New Jersey Nets3052.36642.082
13Milwaukee Bucks2557.30547.082
14Toronto Raptors2161.25651.082
15Philadelphia 76ers1864.22054.082
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1995-96 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 TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta 4–03–10–43–11–11–12–21–11–11–32–00–22–22–21–14–02–12–22–10–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–01–3
Boston 0–42–20–31–30–21–12–10–21–10–42–00–23–13–12–02–20–41–34–01–10–22–00–20–23–10–21–12–2
Charlotte 1–32–21–33–12–02–01–30–20–21–31–12–02–23–11–10–33–00–43–12–01–11–10–20–23–11–12–03–1
Chicago 4–03–03–14–02–01–14–02–02–02–22–02–03–14–02–03–03–13–14–01–12–02–02–01–13–12–02–04–0
Cleveland 1–33–11–30–42–01–12–22–01–12–22–02–01–34–02–01–23–11–24–02–01–11–10–20–23–10–22–03–1
Dallas 1–12–00–20–20–22–20–22–21–30–22–20–40–21–10–41–10–21–10–21–30–42–22–22–21–11–34–00–2
Denver 1–11–10–21–11–12–21–12–21–30–21–32–20–21–14–00–21–11–12–03–10–40–40–41–32–03–13–11–1
Detroit 2–21–23–10–42–22–01–12–01–12–22–00–21–32–21–14–00–41–34–02–02–01–12–01–14–00–22–01–2
Golden State 1–12–02–00–20–22–22–20–22–21–13–11–31–11–13–12–00–20–22–01–31–31–31–30–41–11–34–01–1
Houston 1–11–12–00–21–13–13–11–12–22–04–03–10–22–02–22–00–20–22–03–12–22–21–30–42–02–24–01–1
Indiana 3–14–03–12–22–22–02–02–21–10–22–01–13–03–11–11–31–32–23–11–11–10–21–12–04–00–22–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–20–22–23–10–21–30–40–20–41–11–13–11–11–10–22–03–12–22–21–30–40–21–33–11–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–20–20–24–02–22–03–11–31–14–02–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–32–22–02–24–01–1
Miami 2–21–32–21–33–12–02–03–11–12–00–31–10–23–01–15–01–31–33–11–10–21–11–10–22–10–21–12–2
Milwaukee 2–21–31–30–40–41–11–12–21–10–21–31–10–20–31–11–32–21–32–10–22–00–21–10–22–20–21–11–3
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–20–24–00–41–11–32–21–11–31–31–11–11–10–20–21–11–30–43–11–30–41–11–32–20–2
New Jersey 0–42–23–00–32–11–12–00–40–20–23–11–10–20–53–11–12–20–42–20–21–11–10–20–22–20–22–02–2
New York 1–24–00–31–31–32–01–14–02–02–03–11–11–13–12–22–02–21–33–10–20–20–21–11–14–01–11–13–1
Orlando 2–23–14–01–32–11–11–13–12–02–02–22–01–13–13–12–04–03–14–02–01–11–11–11–12–11–12–04–0
Philadelphia 1–20–41–30–40–42–00–20–40–20–21–30–21–11–31–21–12–21–30–40–20–20–20–20–23–11–11–11–3
Phoenix 2–01–10–21–10–23–11–30–23–11–31–11–31–31–12–03–12–02–00–22–02–22–21–30–42–01–34–02–0
Portland 0–22–01–10–21–14–04–00–23–12–21–12–22–22–00–24–01–12–01–12–02–21–31–31–32–01–32–20–2
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–21–12–24–01–13–12–22–02–21–31–12–01–31–12–01–12–02–23–11–30–42–00–42–20–2
San Antonio 2–02–02–00–22–02–24–00–23–13–11–13–13–11–11–13–12–01–11–12–03–13–13–12–22–03–14–01–1
Seattle 2–02–02–01–12–02–23–11–14–04–00–24–02–22–02–04–02–01–11–12–04–03–14–02–21–13–13–11–1
Toronto 0–41–31–31–31–31–10–20–41–10–20–42–00–21–22–21–12–20–41–21–30–20–20–20–21–10–21–13–1
Utah 1–12–01–10–22–03–11–32–03–12–22–03–12–22–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–13–14–01–31–32–04–01–1
Vancouver 0–21–10–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–40–21–30–41–11–12–20–21–10–21–10–42–22–20–41–31–10–40–2
Washington 3–12–21–30–41–32–01–12–11–11–10–31–11–12–23–12–02–21–30–43–10–22–02–01–11–11–31–12–0

Game log

Regular season

1995–96 game log
Total: 46–36 (home: 30–11; road: 16–25)
November: 5–9 (home: 5–4; road: 0–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1 November 3 New York L 100–106 The Palace of Auburn Hills 0–1
4 November 8 Portland W 107–100 (OT) The Palace of Auburn Hills 1–3
5 November 10 Cleveland W 100–80 The Palace of Auburn Hills 2–3
6 November 15 Seattle W 94–87 The Palace of Auburn Hills 3–3
7 November 17 Utah L 81–86 The Palace of Auburn Hills 3–4
8 November 18 @ Cleveland L 90–93 Gund Arena 3–5
11 November 26 Houston W 102–100 The Palace of Auburn Hills 5–6
12 November 27 @ Orlando L 95–96 Orlando Arena 5–7
14 November 30 Miami L 107–118 The Palace of Auburn Hills 5–9
December : 10–5 (home: 6–2; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
15 December 2 Atlanta W 104–96 The Palace of Auburn Hills 6–9
19 December 10 @ L.A. Lakers L 82–87 Great Western Forum 8–11
20 December 13 L.A. Lakers L 98–101 The Palace of Auburn Hills 8–12
22 December 16 @ New York L 82–86 Madison Square Garden 9–13
25 December 22 @ Miami W 84–75 Miami Arena 12–13
26 December 23 Orlando L 79–94 The Palace of Auburn Hills 12–14
January : 6–6 (home: 2–1; road: 4–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
34 January 15 @ Atlanta L 88–96 The Omni 19–15
35 January 18 San Antonio W 100–98 The Palace of Auburn Hills 19–16
36 January 19 @ Indiana L 81–89 Market Square Arena 19–17
37 January 21 Chicago L 96–111 The Palace of Auburn Hills 19–18
38 January 24 @ San Antonio W 85–84 Alamodome 20–18
40 January 27 @ Houston L 85–105 The Summit 21–19
41 January 29 @ Utah L 97–106 Delta Center 21–20
February : 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
42 February 1 Indiana W 87–70 The Palace of Auburn Hills 22–20
43 February 3 Sacramento L 85–94 The Palace of Auburn Hills 22–21
44 February 5 @ New York L 91–97 Madison Square Garden 22–22
45 February 7 Orlando W 97–83 The Palace of Auburn Hills 23–22
47 February 15 Chicago L 109–112 (OT) The Palace of Auburn Hills 24–23
50 February 21 New York L 110–113 (OT) The Palace of Auburn Hills 26–24
52 February 25 @ Portland W 93–81 Rose Garden Arena 27–25
43 February 26 @ Sacramento W 93–78 ARCO Arena 28–25
54 February 28 @ Seattle L 80–94 KeyArena 28–26
March : 11–5 (home: 8–1; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
55 March 1 @ Phoenix W 102–97 America West Arena 29–26
57 March 4 Atlanta W 99–93 The Palace of Auburn Hills 31–26
59 March 7 @ Chicago L 81–102 United Center 32–27
62 March 13 Phoenix W 118–115 The Palace of Auburn Hills 35–27
63 March 15 Cleveland W 80–69 The Palace of Auburn Hills 36–27
65 March 19 @ Orlando L 91–113 Orlando Arena 37–28
66 March 20 @ Miami L 93–102 Miami Arena 37–29
68 March 23 @ Atlanta L 84–92 The Omni 38–30
70 March 30 Miami L 85–95 The Palace of Auburn Hills 39–31
April : 7–5 (home: 5–0; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
77 April 13 @ Indiana L 86–91 Market Square Arena 44–33
79 April 17 Indiana W 102–93 The Palace of Auburn Hills 45–34
80 April 18 @ Chicago L 79–110 United Center 45–35
81 April 20 @ Cleveland L 73–75 Gund Arena 45–36
1995–96 schedule

Playoffs

1996 playoff game log
First Round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 April 26 @ Orlando L 92–112 Grant Hill (21) Grant Hill (11) three players tied (4) Orlando Arena
17,248
0–1
2 April 28 @ Orlando L 77–92 Allan Houston (23) Otis Thorpe (16) Otis Thorpe (3) Orlando Arena
17,248
0–2
3 April 30 Orlando L 98–101 Allan Houston (33) Otis Thorpe (13) Joe Dumars (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
20,386
0–3
1996 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

Regular season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Steve Bardo 9013.7.391.000.6672.41.70.40.12.4
Michael Curry 41118.3.464.400.7072.00.60.60.04.9
Joe Dumars 674032.7.426.406.8222.14.00.60.011.8
Grant Hill 808040.8.462.192.7519.86.91.30.620.2
Allan Houston 827537.5.453.427.8233.73.00.70.219.7
Lindsey Hunter 804826.7.381.405.7002.42.41.10.28.5
Eric Leckner 1888.6.621.6151.90.10.10.22.4
Mark Macon 23012.5.433.467.8181.00.70.70.03.2
Terry Mills 82520.2.419.396.7714.31.20.50.29.4
Theo Ratliff 75217.4.557.000.7084.00.20.21.54.5
Don Reid 694614.4.567.6622.90.20.70.63.8
Lou Roe 4927.6.356.222.7501.60.30.20.21.8
Otis Thorpe 828234.6.530.000.7108.41.90.60.514.2
Mark West 472114.5.484.6222.80.10.10.83.2

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Allan Houston 3345.3.431.333.9002.72.00.00.325.0
Grant Hill 3338.3.564.500.8577.33.71.00.019.0
Joe Dumars 3341.0.457.3571.0004.33.70.00.013.7
Otis Thorpe 3333.7.542.75011.72.30.00.011.7
Mark West 3326.0.524.4625.30.30.30.39.3
Terry Mills 3016.0.250.125.8331.71.30.30.05.3
Lindsey Hunter 2018.0.250.250.5001.00.50.50.03.0
Michael Curry 3014.3.429.0001.00.30.30.32.0
Don Reid 308.7.333.3330.30.30.00.71.0
Theo Ratliff 104.00.00.00.00.00.0
Lou Roe 203.5.0001.00.00.50.00.0
Eric Leckner 103.00.00.00.00.00.0

Player Statistics Citation:[19]

Awards and records

Transactions

Player Transactions Citation:[40]

References

  1. 1995-96 Detroit Pistons
  2. "Pistons to Fire Chaney, Likely Hire Collins: Pro basketball: Dismissals of Coach and Key Executive Expected a Day Later Than Planned". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 26, 1995. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  3. "SPORTS PEOPLE: N.B.A.; Pistons Giving Collins Chaney's Job and More". The New York Times. April 27, 1995. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  4. "NBA PLAYOFFS: Disorder in the Ranks Replaces '80s Dynasties". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 27, 1995. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  5. Smith, Sam (November 8, 1995). "Collins Takes Charge Again". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
  6. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Trail Blazers Trade Thorpe to Pistons". The New York Times. September 21, 1995. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  7. "Pistons Get Thorpe for Rookie Childress". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 21, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  8. "Blazers, Pistons Cut Deal". The Spokesman-Review. September 21, 1995. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  9. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. "Transactions". The New York Times. February 1, 1996. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  11. "Transactions". Hartford Courant. February 1, 1996. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  12. "1995–96 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. Bembry, Jerry (January 31, 1996). "NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  14. Heisler, Mark (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  15. "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  16. "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  17. Romano, John (April 25, 1996). "Sharing the Wealth of His Experience". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  18. "26. Detroit Pistons". Ibiblio. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  19. "1995–96 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  20. "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  21. "Bulls' Jackson NBA Coach of Year". United Press International. May 7, 1996. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  22. Isaacson, Melissa (May 8, 1996). "Better Late Than Never: Jackson Selected Coach of the Year". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  23. "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Magic Gets First Sweep by Finishing Off Pistons". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 1, 1996. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  24. Johnson, L.C. (May 1, 1996). "Clean Sweep". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  25. Atkins, Harry (May 1, 1996). "Magic 101, Pistons 98". Associated Press. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  26. "1996 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pistons vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  27. Brown, Clifton (July 14, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; A New Backcourt: Childs and Houston Join the Knicks". The New York Times. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  28. "Knicks Get Childs; Houston on Tap". Orlando Sentinel. July 14, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  29. "Payton Stays in Seattle, Knicks Get a Backcourt". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 15, 1996. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  30. Sheridan, Chris (July 15, 1996). "Knicks Acquire Larry Johnson, Sign Houston and Childs". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  31. Heisler, Mark (November 3, 1996). "Let Them Show Something Before It's Showtime Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  32. Wise, Mike (December 18, 1996). "Once a Hero, Now the Enemy". The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  33. Smith, Sam (December 25, 1996). "Pistons Revive Rivalry". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  34. Fischer, Bob (August 10, 1996). "Magic Acquires Spencer to Fill Gap". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  35. "Transactions". Hartford Courant. August 10, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  36. "Magic's Bowie Shows Class--or Lack of It". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 20, 1996. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  37. Povtak, Tim (March 20, 1996). "Triple-Trouble for Magic". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  38. "PRO BASKETBALL; Coach Is Fined for Early Exit". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 21, 1996. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  39. Povtak, Tim (March 21, 1996). "NBA Hits Collins with $5,000 Fine". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  40. "1995–96 Detroit Pistons Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 27, 2021.

See also

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