1985–86 Detroit Pistons season

The 1985–86 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 38th season in the NBA and 29th season in Detroit.[1] The team played at the Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Pontiac, Michigan.

1985–86 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachChuck Daly
General managerJack McCloskey
Owner(s)Bill Davidson
ArenaPontiac Silverdome
Results
Record46–36 (.561)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Central)
Conference: 5th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Hawks 1–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWJR
< 1984–85 1986–87 >

The year got off to an excellent start as the Pistons drafted future Hall of Famer Joe Dumars with the 18th pick in the first-round of the 1985 NBA draft. The team's steady rise in recent years stalled during the 1985–86 season as the Pistons finished 46–36 (.561), 3rd in the Central Division. The team advanced to the playoffs but were beaten 3–1 by Dominique Wilkins and the rising Atlanta Hawks. When the series ended, Piston guard and team leader Isiah Thomas said, “All I know,” Isiah would say, eyes fixed straight ahead and locked on nothing in particular, jaw firmly set, amid the spartan if spacious locker room underneath the stands at the Silverdome, “is something has to change next year.”[2]

The Pistons were led by guard Thomas (20.9 ppg, 10.8 apg, NBA All-Star), center Bill Laimbeer (16.6 ppg, 13.1 rpg), and guard Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson (13.9 ppg). Dumars (9.4 ppg) was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. Before the 1986-87 Detroit Pistons season began, driven by Thomas, the Pistons would trade away several key players, including forward Kelly Tripucka, center Kent Benson and guard John Long.[3]

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 18 Joe Dumars G   United States McNeese State

Roster

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Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 54 Benson, Kent 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Indiana
SF 00 Campbell, Tony 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Ohio State
C 42 Crevier, Ron 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Boston College
F 23 Cureton, Earl 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Detroit Mercy
SG 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) McNeese State
PF 35 Gibson, Mike 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 205 lb (93 kg) USC Upstate
SG 15 Johnson, Vinnie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Baylor
C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Notre Dame
SG 25 Long, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Detroit Mercy
PF 44 Mahorn, Rick 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Hampton
C 42 Nevitt, Chuck 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) 217 lb (98 kg) NC State
PG 33 Russell, Walker 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Western Michigan
PG 11 Thomas, Isiah 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Indiana
SF 7 Tripucka, Kelly 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Notre Dame
Head coach

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

Roster

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Milwaukee Bucks 57 25 .695 33–8 24–17 21–9
x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 7 34–7 16–25 21–9
x-Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 11 31–10 15–26 18–12
x-Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 27 22–19 8–33 10–20
Cleveland Cavaliers 29 53 .354 28 16–25 13–28 10–19
Indiana Pacers 26 56 .317 31 19–22 7–34 9–20
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics 67 15 .817
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks 57 25 .695 10
3 x-Philadelphia 76ers 54 28 .659 13
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 17
5 x-Detroit Pistons 46 36 .561 21
6 x-Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 28
7 x-New Jersey Nets 39 43 .476 28
8 x-Chicago Bulls 30 52 .366 37
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 29 53 .354 38
10 Indiana Pacers 26 56 .317 41
11 New York Knicks 23 59 .280 44
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1985–86 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 0–6 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–4
Boston 6–0 5–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 5–0 4–2 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–1
Chicago 1–5 1–5 3–3 0–2 2–0 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–4
Cleveland 2–4 1–5 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–5 0–2 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–5 3–3 4–1 0–6 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–5
Dallas 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 0–2 4–1 1–5 2–0 2–3 1–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–3 3–3 4–2 3–2 5–1 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3 1–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 4–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 3–3 3–3 2–3 3–3 2–0
Detroit 2–4 1–4 4–2 5–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 4–2 4–1 2–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–2
Golden State 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 0–5 1–1 5–1 2–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–4 1–5 2–3 2–3 2–4 2–3 1–1
Houston 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–3 1–1 5–0 2–0 3–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 3–2 4–2 5–1 3–2 3–3 2–0
Indiana 1–5 1–5 3–3 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–3 2–4 0–6 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 5–1
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 1–5 2–3 0–2 2–4 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–4 5–0 1–4 3–3 3–2 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–3 1–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1 6–0 5–0 4–1 4–2 5–0 2–0
Milwaukee 3–3 0–5 5–1 5–1 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 6–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
New Jersey 2–4 2–4 3–2 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 5–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–4
New York 1–5 1–5 2–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 4–2 0–2 1–1 0–6 1–5 0–6 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–3
Philadelphia 1–4 2–4 5–1 6–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 6–0 2–0 0–2 1–4 4–2 6–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3
Phoenix 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 1–4 2–0 4–2 2–3 1–1 4–2 1–5 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–4 2–3 3–2 5–1 1–4 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–3 1–1 5–1 2–3 2–0 4–2 0–6 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 4–2 3–2 1–4 5–1 2–3 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 2–0 3–2 2–4 2–0 0–5 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 2–3 5–1 5–0 2–4 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–3 1–1 3–2 1–5 1–1 4–1 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 4–1 1–5 2–3 2–4 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 0–2 4–2 2–3 0–2 3–3 2–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–5 1–5 0–5 3–2 2–3 1–1
Utah 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–5 3–3 1–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 2–3 0–5 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 4–2 4–2 3–2 1–1
Washington 4–1 1–5 4–1 5–1 1–1 0–2 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–0 0–2 2–4 4–2 3–3 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1

Game log

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Regular season

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1985–86 game log
Total: 46–36 (home: 31–10; road: 15–26)
October: 2–2 (home: 2–0; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 25, 1985 Milwaukee W 118–116 Pontiac Silverdome 1–0
2 October 26, 1985 @ Chicago L 118–121 Chicago Stadium 1–1
3 October 29, 1985 New Jersey W 124–107 Pontiac Silverdome 2–1
4 October 30, 1985 @ Philadelphia L 125–132 (OT) The Spectrum 2–2
November: 10–5 (home: 7–1; road: 3–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
5 November 1, 1985 Indiana W 124–116 Pontiac Silverdome 3–2
6 November 2, 1985 @ Indiana W 128–117 Market Square Arena 4–2
7 November 6, 1985 Chicago W 122–105 Pontiac Silverdome 5–2
8 November 8, 1985 @ Washington W 117–110 Capital Centre 6–2
9 November 9, 1985 Boston L 105–124 Pontiac Silverdome 6–3
10 November 12, 1985 Washington W 124–122 (OT) Pontiac Silverdome 7–3
11 November 13, 1985 @ Milwaukee L 118–137 MECCA Arena 7–4
12 November 15, 1985
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 118–122 Thomas (26) Laimbeer (14) Thomas (14) The Omni
12,924
7–5
13 November 20, 1985 New York W 109–98 Pontiac Silverdome 8–5
14 November 22, 1985 Golden State W 115–96 Pontiac Silverdome 9–5
15 November 23, 1985 @ Philadelphia W 119–114 The Spectrum 10–5
16 November 26, 1985 Cleveland W 113–98 Pontiac Silverdome 11–5
17 November 27, 1985 @ Boston L 124–132 Boston Garden 11–6
18 November 29, 1985 Milwaukee W 111–102 Pontiac Silverdome 12–6
19 November 30, 1985 @ Washington L 119–133 Capital Centre 12–7
December: 3–10 (home: 1–5; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
20 December 3, 1985 Philadelphia L 107–127 Pontiac Silverdome 12–8
21 December 5, 1985 New Jersey W 113–111 Pontiac Silverdome 13–8
22 December 7, 1985 Sacramento L 112–122 Pontiac Silverdome 13–9
23 December 10, 1985 @ Cleveland W 130–120 Richfield Coliseum 14–9
24 December 11, 1985 Washington L 100–108 Pontiac Silverdome 14–10
25 December 13, 1985 San Antonio L 113–119 Pontiac Silverdome 14–11
26 December 15, 1985 @ L.A. Lakers L 119–132 The Forum 14–12
27 December 17, 1985 @ Sacramento L 121–132 ARCO Arena 14–13
28 December 19, 1985 @ Seattle W 99–97 Seattle Center Coliseum 15–13
29 December 21, 1985 @ New York L 110–112 Madison Square Garden 15–14
30 December 26, 1985 @ New Jersey L 116–124 Brendan Byrne Arena 15–15
31 December 27, 1985 Cleveland L 105–119 Pontiac Silverdome 15–16
32 December 30, 1985 @ Milwaukee L 110–121 MECCA Arena 15–17
January: 8–7 (home: 5–2; road: 3–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
33 January 2, 1986 @ Chicago L 122–131 Chicago Stadium 15–18
34 January 3, 1986
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 101–111 Tripucka (26) Laimbeer (17) Thomas (5) The Omni
15,817
15–19
35 January 7, 1986 Boston W 113–109 Pontiac Silverdome 16–19
36 January 9, 1986
7:30 p.m. EST
Atlanta L 99–110 Dumars (21) Laimbeer (14) Thomas (9) Pontiac Silverdome
9,400
16–20
37 January 11, 1986 Philadelphia L 101–102 Pontiac Silverdome 16–21
38 January 15, 1986 Chicago W 123–115 Pontiac Silverdome 17–21
39 January 17, 1986 Denver W 129–113 Pontiac Silverdome 18–21
40 January 19, 1986 L.A. Lakers W 118–115 Pontiac Silverdome 19–21
41 January 20, 1986 @ Indiana L 99–105 Market Square Arena 19–22
42 January 22, 1986 @ Cleveland W 107–104 Richfield Coliseum 20–22
43 January 24, 1986 @ Dallas W 129–120 Reunion Arena 21–22
44 January 25, 1986 @ Houston L 112–117 The Summit 21–23
45 January 27, 1986 @ San Antonio W 118–117 HemisFair Arena 22–23
46 January 29, 1986
7:30 p.m. EST
Atlanta W 107–94 Johnson (24) Laimbeer (10) Thomas (13) Pontiac Silverdome
12,386
23–23
47 January 31, 1986
7:30 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 103–116 Dumars (22) Laimbeer (16) Thomas (9) The Omni
12,624
23–24
February: 13–1 (home: 10–0; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
48 February 1, 1986 Washington W 116–101 Pontiac Silverdome 24–24
49 February 4, 1986 @ Chicago W 117–115 Chicago Stadium 25–24
50 February 6, 1986 @ Washington W 111–109 (OT) Capital Centre 26–24
All-Star Break
51 February 11, 1986 @ New Jersey L 122–130 Brendan Byrne Arena 26–25
52 February 12, 1986 New York W 113–99 Pontiac Silverdome 27–25
53 February 14, 1986 Dallas W 119–110 Pontiac Silverdome 28–25
54 February 15, 1986 Philadelphia W 134–133 (OT) Pontiac Silverdome 29–25
55 February 17, 1986 Utah W 117–96 Pontiac Silverdome 30–25
56 February 19, 1986 Seattle W 118–113 Pontiac Silverdome 31–25
57 February 20, 1986 @ Cleveland W 109–107 Richfield Coliseum 32–25
58 February 22, 1986 Portland W 113–106 Pontiac Silverdome 33–25
59 February 24, 1986 Chicago W 110–100 Pontiac Silverdome 34–25
60 February 26, 1986 L.A. Clippers W 111–104 Pontiac Silverdome 35–25
61 February 28, 1986
7:30 p.m. EST
Atlanta W 115–103 Thomas (30) Laimbeer (11) Dumars, Thomas (6) Pontiac Silverdome
25,888
36–25
March: 6–8 (home: 4–1; road: 2–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
62 March 2, 1986 @ Boston L 109–129 Boston Garden 36–26
63 March 4, 1986 New Jersey W 120–103 Pontiac Silverdome 37–26
64 March 7, 1986 @ New Jersey W 104–102 Brendan Byrne Arena 38–26
65 March 10, 1986 Phoenix L 109–120 Pontiac Silverdome 38–27
66 March 12, 1986 Indiana W 111–101 Pontiac Silverdome 39–27
67 March 14, 1986 New York W 112–89 Pontiac Silverdome 40–27
68 March 16, 1986 @ Portland L 109–119 Memorial Coliseum 40–28
69 March 17, 1986 @ Utah L 106–107 Salt Palace Acord Arena 40–29
70 March 19, 1986 @ Denver L 98–114 McNichols Sports Arena 40–30
71 March 21, 1986 @ Phoenix L 103–105 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 40–31
72 March 22, 1986 @ L.A. Clippers W 119–99 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 41–31
73 March 25, 1986 @ Golden State L 121–125 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 41–32
74 March 28, 1986 Houston W 116–107 Pontiac Silverdome 42–32
75 March 29, 1986 @ Milwaukee L 121–130 MECCA Arena 42–33
April: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
76 April 1, 1986 Indiana W 116–108 Pontiac Silverdome 43–33
77 April 2, 1986 @ Boston L 106–122 Boston Garden 43–34
78 April 4, 1986 Milwaukee L 108–115 Pontiac Silverdome 43–35
79 April 5, 1986 @ Indiana W 115–106 Market Square Arena 44–35
80 April 7, 1986 Cleveland W 128–104 Pontiac Silverdome 45–35
81 April 8, 1986 @ Philadelphia L 112–116 The Spectrum 45–36
82 April 11, 1986 @ New York W 108–95 Madison Square Garden 46–36
1985–86 schedule

Playoffs

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1986 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 17, 1986
8:00 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 122–140 Laimbeer (26) Laimbeer (17) Thomas (16) The Omni
12,538
0–1
2 April 19, 1986
3:30 p.m. EST
@ Atlanta L 125–137 Thomas (36) Laimbeer (12) Thomas (9) The Omni
12,964
0–2
3 April 22, 1986
8:00 p.m. EST
Atlanta W 106–97 Tripucka (33) Laimbeer (14) Thomas (11) Pontiac Silverdome
13,312
1–2
4 April 25, 1986
8:00 p.m. EST
Atlanta L 113–114 (2OT) Thomas (30) Laimbeer (13) Thomas (12) Pontiac Silverdome
15,288
1–3
1986 schedule

Awards and records

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References

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  1. ^ "1983–84 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "Chevette to Corvette No. 19: The 1985–86 Detroit Pistons". November 28, 2011.
  3. ^ "1986–87 Detroit Pistons Transactions". Basketball-Reference.com.

See also

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