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1989 NBA playoffs
Basketball tournament
Basketball tournament
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| title | NBA playoffs |
| year | 1989 |
| image | 1989NBAplayoffsofficiallogo.png |
| season | [1988–89](1988-89-nba-season) |
| dates | April 27–June 13, 1989 |
| num_teams | 16 |
| winners | Detroit Pistons |
| count | 1 |
| second | Los Angeles Lakers |
| semifinal1 | Phoenix Suns |
| semifinal2 | Chicago Bulls |
| prev_season | [1988](1988-nba-playoffs) |
| next_season | [1990](1990-nba-playoffs) |
The 1989 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1988–89 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 0 in the NBA Finals. Joe Dumars was named NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons had one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history, finishing 15–2 with their only losses to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. This NBA playoffs also holds the record for the most sweeps in an entire NBA playoffs with 9 out of 15 series being decided in just 3 or 4 games.
The Lakers won the Western Conference title without losing a game, and entered the NBA Finals as the heavy favorites. However, they were swept in the Finals by the Pistons, due in part to season-ending injuries suffered by Magic Johnson and Byron Scott. The Lakers became the first team in NBA history to open an NBA post-season with 11 straight victories and to sweep three series in an NBA post-season.
Chicago advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1975 (back when they were a member of the Western Conference) (and the first time in Michael Jordan's career), but their season was ended by Detroit for the second straight year. Two rounds earlier, Jordan hit "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer to beat the Cavs.
The Boston Celtics' first-round playoff sweep by the Pistons was the first time they failed to get past the round of 16. Boston's chances were hampered by the absence of Larry Bird during these playoffs due to a season-ending injury earlier in the season; the first and only time in Bird's NBA career he'd miss playing in the playoffs.
Former Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan made the first of 19 playoff appearances in a 22-year tenure. The only time he missed the playoffs with Utah was 2004–2006. Prior to this, he had last appeared in the playoffs in 1981 with the Bulls. His Jazz were ousted by the Golden State Warriors 3–0, the second time a seventh seed had beaten the second seed in the playoffs.
Bracket
| RD2-group1=Eastern Conference | RD2-group2=Western Conference
| RD1-seed01=E1 | RD1-team01=Detroit* | RD1-score01=3 | RD1-seed02=E8 | RD1-team02=Boston | RD1-score02=0
| RD1-seed03=E4 | RD1-team03=Atlanta | RD1-score03=2 | RD1-seed04=E5 | RD1-team04=Milwaukee | RD1-score04=3
| RD1-seed05=E3 | RD1-team05=Cleveland | RD1-score05=2 | RD1-seed06=E6 | RD1-team06=Chicago | RD1-score06=3
| RD1-seed07=E2 | RD1-team07=New York* | RD1-score07=3 | RD1-seed08=E7 | RD1-team08=Philadelphia | RD1-score08=0
| RD1-seed09=W1 | RD1-team09=LA Lakers* | RD1-score09=3 | RD1-seed10=W8 | RD1-team10=Portland | RD1-score10=0
| RD1-seed11=W4 | RD1-team11=Seattle | RD1-score11=3 | RD1-seed12=W5 | RD1-team12=Houston | RD1-score12=1
| RD1-seed13=W3 | RD1-team13=Phoenix | RD1-score13=3 | RD1-seed14=W6 | RD1-team14=Denver | RD1-score14=0
| RD1-seed15=W2 | RD1-team15=*Utah** | RD1-score15=0 | RD1-seed16=W7 | RD1-team16=Golden State | RD1-score16=3
| RD2-seed01=E1 | RD2-team01=Detroit* | RD2-score01=4 | RD2-seed02=E5 | RD2-team02=Milwaukee | RD2-score02=0
| RD2-seed03=E6 | RD2-team03=Chicago | RD2-score03=4 | RD2-seed04=E2 | RD2-team04=*New York** | RD2-score04=2
| RD2-seed05=W1 | RD2-team05=LA Lakers* | RD2-score05=4 | RD2-seed06=W4 | RD2-team06=Seattle | RD2-score06=0
| RD2-seed07=W3 | RD2-team07=Phoenix | RD2-score07=4 | RD2-seed08=W7 | RD2-team08=Golden State | RD2-score08=1
| RD3-seed01=E1 | RD3-team01=Detroit* | RD3-score01=4 | RD3-seed02=E6 | RD3-team02=Chicago | RD3-score02=2
| RD3-seed03=W1 | RD3-team03=LA Lakers* | RD3-score03=4 | RD3-seed04=W3 | RD3-team04=Phoenix | RD3-score04=0
| RD4-seed01=E1 | RD4-team01=Detroit* | RD4-score01=4 | RD4-seed02=W1 | RD4-team02=LA Lakers* | RD4-score02=0 |* Division winner |Bold Series winner |Italic Team with home-court advantage}}
First round
Eastern Conference first round
(1) [[1988–89 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] vs. (8) [[1988–89 Boston Celtics season|Boston Celtics]]
| Detroit won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning three of the first four meetings.
| Boston leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) [[1988–89 New York Knicks season|New York Knicks]] vs. (7) [[1988–89 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]]
- Gerald Wilkins hits the series-winning shot with 6 seconds left.
| Philadelphia won 4–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the ninth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the 76ers winning six of the first eight meetings.
| Philadelphia leads 6–2 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(3) [[1988–89 Cleveland Cavaliers season|Cleveland Cavaliers]] vs. (6) [[1988–89 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]]
- Brad Daugherty hits the game-tying free throws with 4 second left in regulation to force OT.
- Michael Jordan hits the series-winning shot at the buzzer.
| Cleveland won 6–0 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first meeting.
| Chicago leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(4) [[1988–89 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]] vs. (5) [[1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]]
| Atlanta won 6–0 in the regular-season series |
|---|
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 |
|---|
Western Conference first round
(1) [[1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (8) [[1988–89 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]]
| Los Angeles won 5–0 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning two of the first three meetings.
| Los Angeles leads 2–1 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) [[1988–89 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]] vs. (7) [[1988–89 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]]
- In the 16-team playoff format, this is the only time a top 2 seed has been swept in the First Round in NBA history. However, a top 2 seed has yet to be swept in the First Round in a best-of-seven series format.
| Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Warriors winning the first meeting.
| Golden State leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(3) [[1988–89 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] vs. (6) [[1988–89 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]]
| Phoenix won 3–1 in the regular-season series |
|---|
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 |
|---|
(4) [[1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]] vs. (5) [[1988–89 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]]
- Derrick McKey hits the series-winning alley-oop layup at the buzzer.
| Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning the first two meetings.
| Seattle leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
Conference semifinals
Eastern Conference semifinals
(1) [[1988–89 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] vs. (5) [[1988–89 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee Bucks]]
| Milwaukee won 4–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.
| Detroit leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(2) [[New York Knicks]] vs. (6) [[Chicago Bulls]]
Michael Jordan hits the game tying free throws with 1:15 left in regulation to force OT
- Michael Jordan hits the series-winning free throws with 4 seconds left.
| Chicago won 3–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first meeting.
| Chicago leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
Western Conference semifinals
(1) [[1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (4) [[1988–89 Seattle SuperSonics season|Seattle SuperSonics]]
- The Lakers posted the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history by overcoming a 29-point deficit (43–14), which has since been surpassed.
| Los Angeles won 4–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning two series apiece.
| Tied 2–2 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
(3) [[1988–89 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] vs. (7) [[1988–89 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]]
| Phoenix won 4–2 in the regular-season series |
|---|
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 |
|---|
Conference finals
Eastern Conference finals
(1) [[1988–89 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]] vs. (6) [[1988–89 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]]
- Michael Jordan hits the game-winner with 3 seconds left.
| Detroit won 6–0 in the regular-season series |
|---|
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 |
|---|
Western Conference finals
(1) [[1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]] vs. (3) [[1988–89 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]]
| Tied 3–3 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first five meetings.
| Los Angeles leads 5–0 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
NBA Finals: (E1) Detroit Pistons vs. (W1) Los Angeles Lakers
Main article: 1989 NBA Finals
- Joe Dumars blocks David Rivers' potential game-tying 3 with 8 seconds left.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's final NBA game.
| Detroit won 2–0 in the regular-season series |
|---|
This was the 11th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning nine of the first ten meetings.
| Los Angeles leads 9–1 in all-time playoff series |
|---|
Statistical leaders
| Category | Game high | Average | Player | Team | High | Player | Team | Avg. | GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 50 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 34.8 | 17 | ||
| Rebounds | Karl Malone | Utah Jazz | 22 | Karl Malone | Utah Jazz | 16.3 | 3 | ||
| Assists | Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers | 20 | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 13.7 | 3 | ||
| Steals | Michael Jordan | ||||||||
| Byron Scott | |||||||||
| Sedale Threatt | |||||||||
| John Stockton | Chicago Bulls | ||||||||
| Los Angeles Lakers | |||||||||
| Seattle SuperSonics | |||||||||
| Utah Jazz | 6 | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 3.3 | 3 | ||||
| Blocks | Alton Lister | Seattle SuperSonics | 8 | Manute Bol | Golden State Warriors | 3.6 | 8 |
References
References
- (June 6, 1989). "Can Lakers sweep Pistons in Finals?". Vidette-Messenger of Porter County.
- (June 11, 1989). "If Magic rests, Rivers must get into flow". Detroit Free Press.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Boston Celtics versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — New York Knicks versus Philadelphia 76ers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Cleveland Cavaliers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Atlanta Hawks versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Portland Trail Blazers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Utah Jazz (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Houston Rockets versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Milwaukee Bucks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus New York Knicks (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Oklahoma City Thunder (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Golden State Warriors versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Chicago Bulls versus Detroit Pistons (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Los Angeles Lakers versus Phoenix Suns (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
- "Team Rivalry Finder — Detroit Pistons versus Los Angeles Lakers (Playoffs)". basketball-reference.com.
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