411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1984–85 Detroit Pistons season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
NBA team season
March 2026
August 2023
Detroit Pistons 1985 46 36 Central 2 4 Chuck Daly Jack McCloskey Bill Davidson Pontiac Silverdome
Joe Louis Arena Conference semifinals(lost to Celtics 2–4) DET WKBD-TV(George Blaha, Dave Bing)PASS Sports(Fred McLeod, Tom Wilson) WJR(George Blaha, Dave Bing)
The 1984–85 Detroit Pistons season was the Detroit Pistons' 37th season in the NBA and 28th season in the city of Detroit.https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1985.html 1984–85 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference.com
Due to repairs to their home at the time, Pontiac Silverdome, the Pistons spent the latter part of the season – and all five of their post-season games – at the Detroit Red Wings' arena, Joe Louis Arena, in Detroit proper.
Detroit continued their winning ways, finishing the season 46–36 (.561), 2nd place in the Central Division. The team advanced to the playoffs, defeating the New Jersey Nets 3–0, for the franchise's first playoff series win since 1976, but fell 4–2 to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in the conference semi-finals. 1985 was also perhaps the start of bad blood between the Chicago Bulls and star Michael Jordan and the Pistons. At the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, reports were that Pistons star Isiah Thomas and friend Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson conspired to "freeze-out" rookie Jordan on the national stage.https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/the-infamous-freeze-out-game-of-michael-jordan-in-the-1985-all-star-game The infamous 'Freeze Out' game of Michael Jordan in the 1985 All-Star game Will Starjacki Basketball Network As the Pistons and Bulls battled over the next few years, Jordan may have exacted his revenge in ensuring Thomas was not named to the 1992 Olympic Dream Team.https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2020/05/03/the-last-dance-michael-jordan-dream-team-isiah-thomas/3050879001/ 'The Last Dance': Why was Isiah Thomas left off the 1992 Olympic Dream Team? Jeff Zillgitt May 3, 2020 USA Today
The Pistons were led in 1984–85 by Thomas (21.2 ppg, 13.9 apg, NBA All-Star) and center Bill Laimbeer (17.5 ppg, 12.4 rpg, NBA All-Star).https://pistonpowered.com/2011/11/30/chevette-to-corvette-no-17-the-1984-85-detroit-pistons/ Chevette to Corvette No. 17: The 1984–85 Detroit Pistons November 30, 2011
Draft picks
1984 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 20 Tony Campbell SF/SG United States Ohio State
Roster
Detroit Pistons 1984–85 #002FA7 #FFFFFF #eb003c #FFFFFF
54 Kent Benson C 6 10 235 Indiana
00 Tony Campbell F-G 6 7 215 Ohio State
23 Earl Cureton F 6 9 245 Detroit
15 Vinnie Johnson SG 6 2 200 Baylor
35 Major Jones PF 6 9 225 Albany State
40 Bill Laimbeer C 6 11 245 Notre Dame
25 John Long basketball, born 1956 SG 6 5 195 Detroit
14 Lorenzo Romar PG 6 1 175 Washington
32 Dan Roundfield PF 6 8 205 Central Michigan
31 Brook Steppe SG 6 5 195 Georgia Tech
22 Terry Teagle SG 6 5 195 Baylor
22 David Thirdkill SF 6 7 195 Bradley
11 Isiah Thomas PG 6 1 180 Indiana
7 Kelly Tripucka F 6 6 220 Notre Dame
41 Terry Tyler F/G 6 7 215 Detroit
31 Dale Wilkinson PF 6 10 220 Idaho State
Chuck Daly Dick Harter
Regular season
Season standings
DET
DET
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Game log
Regular season
Detroit Pistons 1985 Total: 46–36 (home: 26–15; road: 20–21)
Detroit Pistons October yes 1 1 0 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| October 26, 1984
| Boston
| L 123–130
| Isiah Thomas (35)
| Bill Laimbeer (13)
| Isiah Thomas (11)
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| October 27, 1984
| @ New York
| L 118–137
| Bill Laimbeer (28)
| Bill Laimbeer (16)
| Isiah Thomas (16)
| Madison Square Garden
| 0–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| October 30, 1984
| Cleveland
| W 124–107
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 1–2
Detroit Pistons November 2 4 5 3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| November 1, 1984
| @ Atlanta
| W 118–114
|
|
|
| The Omni
| 2–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 5
| November 2, 1984
| @ Boston
| L 116–127
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 2–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 6
| November 5, 1984
| @ Cleveland
| W 107–98
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 3–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 7
| November 7, 1984
| Chicago
| L 118–122
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 3–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 8
| November 10, 1984
| Milwaukee
| W 104–100
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 4–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 9
| November 14, 1984
| @ Philadelphia
| W 137–133 (OT)
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 5–4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 10
| November 16, 1984
| Philadelphia
| L 90–101
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 5–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 11
| November 17, 1984
| @ Dallas
| W 124–110
|
|
|
| Reunion Arena
| 6–5
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 12
| November 20, 1984
| @ Houston
| L 117–123
|
|
|
| The Summit
| 6–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 13
| November 21, 1984
| @ San Antonio
| W 114–101
|
|
|
| HemisFair Arena
| 7–6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 14
| November 23, 1984
| New York
| L 97–120
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 7–7
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 15
| November 24, 1984
| @ Washington
| L 106–112
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 7–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 16
| November 28, 1984
| Portland
| W 120–113
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 8–8
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 17
| November 30, 1984
| Washington
| L 106–114
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 8–9
Detroit Pistons December 4 2 4 4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 18
| December 1, 1984
| @ Indiana
| W 131–109
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 9–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 19
| December 4, 1984
| Boston
| W 104–99
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 10–9
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 20
| December 6, 1984
| @ Milwaukee
| L 99–114
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 10–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 21
| December 7, 1984
| Denver
| W 122–115
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 11–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 22
| December 11, 1984
| @ Chicago
| W 108–101
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 12–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 23
| December 12, 1984
| Chicago
| W 102–95
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 13–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 24
| December 14, 1984
| Indiana
| W 120–96
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 14–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 25
| December 19, 1984
| @ Denver
| W 148–129
|
|
|
| McNichols Sports Arena
| 15–10
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 26
| December 20, 1984
| @ Utah
| L 116–117
|
|
|
| Salt Palace Acord Arena
| 15–11
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 27
| December 22, 1984
| @ Kansas City
| L 123–129
|
|
|
| Kemper Arena
| 15–12
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 28
| December 25, 1984
| Philadelphia
| L 108–109
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 15–13
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 29
| December 26, 1984
| @ New Jersey
| L 97–112
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 15–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 30
| December 28, 1984
| @ Indiana
| W 116–110
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 16–14
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 31
| December 29, 1984
| New Jersey
| L 108–110
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 16–15
Detroit Pistons January 8 0 4 2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 32
| January 2, 1985
| Cleveland
| W 108–100
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 17–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 33
| January 4, 1985
| Atlanta
| W 134–111
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 18–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 34
| January 5, 1985
| @ Washington
| W 121–113
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 19–15
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 35
| January 9, 1985
| @ Philadelphia
| L 122–126
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 19–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 36
| January 11, 1985
| Indiana
| W 120–109
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 20–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 37
| January 13, 198512Noon EST
| L.A. Lakers
| W 121–98
| Thomas (30)
| Roundfield (14)
| Thomas (20)
| Pontiac Silverdome23,475
| 21–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 38
| January 17, 1985
| @ New York
| W 105–89
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 22–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 39
| January 19, 1985
| @ New Jersey
| W 109–107
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 23–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 40
| January 22, 1985
| @ Atlanta(at New Orleans, LA)
| W 130–113
|
|
|
| Lakefront Arena
| 24–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 41
| January 24, 1985
| Golden State
| W 137–118
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 25–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 42
| January 26, 1985
| Seattle
| W 132–113
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 27–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 43
| January 27, 1985
| Washington
| W 115–105
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 27–16
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 44
| January 29, 1985
| @ Boston(at Hartford, CT)
| L 130–131
|
|
|
| Hartford Civic Center
| 27–17
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 45
| January 30, 1985
| Kansas City
| W 120–116
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 28–17
Detroit Pistons February 4 4 1 4
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 46
| February 2, 1985
| Atlanta
| W 110–102 (OT)
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 29–17
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 47
| February 4, 1985
| @ Milwaukee
| W 113–111 (OT)
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 30–17
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 48
| February 5, 1985
| New Jersey
| L 117–119
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 30–18
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 49
| February 7, 1985
| @ Washington
| L 126–128 (2OT)
|
|
|
| Capital Centre
| 30–19
|- align="center"
|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
|- style="background:#cfc;"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 50
| February 12, 1985
| @ Chicago
| L 126–139 (OT)
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 30–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 51
| February 13, 1985
| Dallas
| W 124–119
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 31–20
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 52
| February 15, 1985
| @ New Jersey
| L 123–124
|
|
|
| Brendan Byrne Arena
| 31–21
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 53
| February 16, 1985
| Philadelphia
| L 114–125
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 31–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 54
| February 18, 1985
| Phoenix
| W 122–103
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 32–22
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 55
| February 20, 1985
| Milwaukee
| L 112–113
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 32–23
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 56
| February 22, 1985
| @ Philadelphia
| L 99–110
|
|
|
| The Spectrum
| 32–24
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 57
| February 23, 1985
| New Jersey
| L 103–111
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 32–25
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 58
| February 27, 1985
| Chicago
| W 108–99
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 33–25
Detroit Pistons March 4 2 3 6
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 59
| March 1, 1985
| San Antonio
| L 98–108
|
|
|
| Pontiac Silverdome
| 33–26
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 60
| March 3, 1985
| @ Boston
| L 129–138
|
|
|
| Boston Garden
| 33–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 61
| March 6, 1985
| New York
| W 114–90
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 34–27
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 62
| March 7, 1985
| Utah
| L 114–122
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 34–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 63
| March 9, 1985
| @ Atlanta
| W 115–113
|
|
|
| The Omni
| 35–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 64
| March 11, 1985
| L.A. Clippers
| W 121–114
|
|
|
| Cobo Arena
| 36–28
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 65
| March 12, 1985
| @ Chicago
| L 110–111
|
|
|
| Chicago Stadium
| 36–29
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 66
| March 17, 1985
| @ Seattle
| L 98–106
|
|
|
| Kingdome
| 36–30
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 67
| March 18, 1985
| @ L.A. Clippers
| L 116–136
|
|
|
| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
| 36–31
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 68
| March 19, 1985
| @ Portland
| L 123–143
|
|
|
| Memorial Coliseum
| 36–32
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 69
| March 21, 1985
| @ Golden State
| W 122–113
|
|
|
| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
| 38–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 70
| March 24, 198510:30p.m. EST
| @ L.A. Lakers
| L 130–148
| Thomas (30)
| Laimbeer (14)
| Thomas (15)
| The Forum17,505
| 37–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 71
| March 26, 1985
| @ Phoenix
| W 119–93
|
|
|
| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
| 38–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 72
| March 27, 1985
| Houston
| W 127–110
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 39–33
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 73
| March 31, 1985
| Boston
| W 113–105
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 40–33
Detroit Pistons April 3 2 3 1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 74
| April 1, 1985
| Atlanta
| L 100–114
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 40–34
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 75
| April 2, 1985
| @ Indiana
| W 124–121
|
|
|
| Market Square Arena
| 41–34
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 76
| April 4, 1985
| @ Milwaukee
| L 121–130
|
|
|
| MECCA Arena
| 41–35
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 77
| April 5, 1985
| Cleveland
| L 118–119
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 41–36
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 78
| April 7, 1985
| Milwaukee
| W 113–91
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 42–36
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 79
| April 9, 1985
| @ New York
| W 107–97
|
|
|
| Madison Square Garden
| 43–36
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 80
| April 10, 1985
| Indiana
| W 116–114
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 44–36
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 81
| April 12, 1985
| Washington
| W 102–96
|
|
|
| Joe Louis Arena
| 45–36
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 82
| April 14, 1985
| @ Cleveland
| W 116–113
|
|
|
| Richfield Coliseum
| 46–36
DET 1985
Playoffs
Detroit Pistons 1985 yes
Detroit Pistons First Round yes yes no 2 0 1 0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 1
| April 18, 1985
| New Jersey
| W 125–105
| Bill Laimbeer (23)
| Bill Laimbeer (13)
| Isiah Thomas (11)
| Joe Louis Arena10,465
| 1–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 2
| April 21, 1985
| New Jersey
| W 121–111
| Isiah Thomas (29)
| Bill Laimbeer (12)
| Isiah Thomas (14)
| Joe Louis Arena11,501
| 2–0
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| April 24, 1985
| @ New Jersey
| W 116–115
| Terry Tyler (23)
| Tripucka, Tyler (11)
| Isiah Thomas (11)
| Brendan Byrne Arena9,999
| 3–0
|-
Detroit Pistons Conference semifinals yes no 2 1 0 3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| April 28, 1985
| @ Boston
| L 99–133
| Isiah Thomas (23)
| three players tied (5)
| Isiah Thomas (8)
| Boston Garden14,890
| 0–1
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| April 30, 1985
| @ Boston
| L 114–121
| Isiah Thomas (28)
| Thomas, Laimbeer (9)
| Isiah Thomas (15)
| Boston Garden14,890
| 0–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 3
| May 2, 1985
| Boston
| W 125–117
| Bill Laimbeer (27)
| Bill Laimbeer (13)
| Isiah Thomas (16)
| Joe Louis Arena14,209
| 1–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
| 4
| May 5, 1985
| Boston
| W 102–99
| Vinnie Johnson (34)
| Bill Laimbeer (12)
| Isiah Thomas (10)
| Joe Louis Arena14,350
| 2–2
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 5
| May 8, 1985
| @ Boston
| L 123–130
| Vinnie Johnson (30)
| Bill Laimbeer (13)
| Isiah Thomas (7)
| Boston Garden14,890
| 2–3
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 6
| May 10, 1985
| Boston
| L 113–123
| Isiah Thomas (37)
| Bill Laimbeer (13)
| Isiah Thomas (9)
| Joe Louis Arena21,193
| 2–4
|-
DET 1985 yes
Awards and records
Isiah Thomas, All-NBA First Team
References
See also
1984–85 NBA season
Category:Detroit Pistons seasons
Det
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons