1996–97 Detroit Pistons season

NBA team season March 2026 August 2023 Detroit Pistons 1997 54 28 Central 3 5 Doug Collins Rick Sund Bill Davidson The Palace of Auburn Hills First round(lost to Hawks 2–3) DET WKBD-TVPASS Sports WDFN The 1996–97 Detroit Pistons season was the 49th season for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association, and their 40th season in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Pistons Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Pistons acquired Stacey Augmon and Grant Long from the Atlanta Hawks, Pistons Trade for Augmon, Long; Sign Curry, Reid Associated Press July 15, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/53ed4b9a0a224edbd4730d6930045d84 July 31, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20230422001137/https://apnews.com/article/53ed4b9a0a224edbd4730d6930045d84 April 22, 2023 dead Hawks Sign Mutombo; Deal Augmon, Long United Press International July 15, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/15/Hawks-sign-Mutombo-deal-Augmon-Long/9456837403200/ December 27, 2022 Associated Press Hawks Get Big with Mutombo Los Angeles Times July 16, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-16-sp-24645-story.html?_amp=true September 23, 2022 and re-signed free agent and former "Bad Boy" Rick Mahorn, who was a member of the championship team that defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1989 NBA Finals. Staff and Wire Reports Citadel Coach Suspended for Season Los Angeles Times August 6, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-08-06-sp-31769-story.html December 15, 2022 Guest Greta Pistons Bring Rick Mahorn Back to Detroit Associated Press August 6, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/4489b6e5d6ae50a8de03fdd05a198cf7 April 20, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20221129023159/https://apnews.com/article/4489b6e5d6ae50a8de03fdd05a198cf7 November 29, 2022 dead Myslenski Skip Pistons' New Look Beyond Cosmetic Chicago Tribune November 8, 1996 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-11-08-9611080058-story,amp.html June 19, 2021 The team also signed three-point specialist Kenny Smith, who won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets, but was released to free agency in November after nine games. Pistons Get a Bargain in Smith The New York Times September 18, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/18/sports/pistons-get-a-bargain-in-smith.html January 18, 2022 Associated Press Pistons Release Kenny Smith Los Angeles Times November 24, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-24-sp-2691-story.html July 10, 2022 For the season, the Pistons redesigned their primary logo, replacing their traditional blue and red colors with teal, burgundy, black, silver and golden yellow to their color scheme of white. The team's primary logo featured a black and silver horse head with a flaming mane in burgundy and golden yellow, above the team name "Pistons" in white letters with teal shadows, and flaming tailpipes surrounded by a black outline; the flaming horse head and team name are in front of a burgundy basketball with silver seams, surrounded by a teal circle with a silver outline featuring the city name "Detroit" in white letters. Detroit Pistons Primary Logo Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/enfhamkfyk1vfvdjuzg67fpeg/Detroit_Pistons/1997/Primary_Logo July 7, 2021 The team also redesigned their home and road uniforms, which featured the flaming horse head along with the team name on the front of their jerseys. The white home uniforms featured a teal, golden yellow and burgundy trim, and teal side panels with golden yellow and burgundy outlines on their jerseys and shorts, while the road uniforms were changed from blue to teal, and featured a black, golden yellow and burgundy trim, and black side panels. Detroit Pistons Home Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/z8ggvfxsuezaeaeghgtb3c916/Detroit_Pistons/1997/Home_Uniform July 7, 2021 Detroit Pistons Road Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/77m5xttvlilqe42zg9w23fa45/Detroit_Pistons/1997/Road_Uniform July 7, 2021 The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 2001, while the basic design of the logo would last until 2005. Regular season The Pistons got off to a fast start by winning ten of their first eleven games of the regular season, which included a six-game winning streak in November. Pistons 96, Nets 88 United Press International November 22, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/11/22/Pistons-96-Nets-88/4335848638800/ April 21, 2023 The team got off to a 20–4 start to the season, Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers Box Score, December 20, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199612200IND.html June 29, 2022 and later on held a 34–12 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 July 19, 2022 At mid-season, the Pistons traded Augmon to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Aaron McKie. Associated Press Blazers Obtain Augmon The New York Times January 25, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/25/sports/blazers-obtain-augmon.html September 17, 2022 Associated Press Winters Out in Vancouver; Augmon Traded to Portland Los Angeles Times January 25, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-25-sp-21895-story.html July 3, 2021 Wire Reports Griz End Winters of Their Discontent The Spokesman-Review January 25, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jan/25/griz-end-winters-of-their-discontent/ February 21, 2024 The Pistons posted another six-game winning streak in February, holding a 40–13 record as of February 23, 1997. However, despite their successful start, the team posted a 20–16 record after the All-Star break, losing six of their final nine games of the season. The Pistons finished in third place in the Central Division with a 54–28 record, and earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference; 1996–97 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1997_games.html June 21, 2021 it was also the team's first 50-win season since the 1990–91 season, and would be their last until the 2001–02 season. Grant Hill averaged 21.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Joe Dumars averaged 14.7 points and 4.0 assists per game, and contributed 166 three-point field goals, and Lindsey Hunter showed improvement averaging 14.2 points and 1.6 steals per game, along with 166 three-point field goals; despite being the starting point guard, Hunter only contributed just 1.9 assists per game. In addition, Otis Thorpe provided the team with 13.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, while sixth man Terry Mills contributed 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and led the Pistons with 175 three-point field goals off the bench. Meanwhile, McKie contributed 6.3 points per game in 42 games after the trade, second-year center Theo Ratliff averaged 5.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, Long provided with 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, and Michael Curry contributed 3.9 points per game. 1996–97 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1997.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Hill and Dumars were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while head coach Doug Collins was selected to coach the Eastern Conference; it was Dumars' sixth and final All-Star appearance. Fry Darrell On to the Next Stage Tampa Bay Times February 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ December 28, 2022 NBA.com Staff 1997 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1997 May 16, 2023 1997 NBA All-Star Game: East 132, West 120 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997.html October 13, 2021 Meanwhile, Mills participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout. NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 19, 2025 Hill also finished in third place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, and Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls; Kawakami Tim MVP: Malone, the Standout Jazz Forward Known as Mailman, Edges Jordan in the Voting to Earn Stamp of Greatness Los Angeles Times May 19, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-19-sp-60282-story.html September 24, 2022 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting Basketball Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html June 17, 2021 Dumars finished tied in sixth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Hunter finished in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting, Mills finished in fourth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Associated Press Knicks' Starks Turns Demotion Into Honor The Spokesman-Review April 24, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/apr/24/knicks-starks-turns-demotion-into-honor/ June 10, 2023 and Collins finished in fifth place in Coach of the Year voting. The Pistons finished sixth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 784,234 at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the regular season. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html October 11, 2025 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Pistons faced off against the 4th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, who were led by the quartet of All-Star center, and Defensive Player of the Year, Dikembe Mutombo, All-Star forward Christian Laettner, Steve Smith and Mookie Blaylock. The Pistons lost Game 1 to the Hawks on the road, 89–75 at the Omni Coliseum, Associated Press  Chapman Helps Defeat Seattle  Los Angeles Times  April 26, 1997  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-26-sp-52694-story.html June 5, 2026 Associated Press  Mutombo's "D" Takes a Backseat to His "O"  Deseret News  April 26, 1997  https://www.deseret.com/1997/4/26/19308748/mutombo-s-d-takes-a-backseat-to-his-o/ June 5, 2026 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, April 25, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704250ATL.html June 5, 2026 but managed to win the next two games, which included a Game 3 win over the Hawks at home, 99–91 at The Palace of Auburn Hills to take a 2–1 series lead. Atkins Harry Pistons Soar Past Hawks, 99-91 The Washington Post April 29, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/detatl3.htm January 18, 2022 Associated Press Houston Moves On; Orlando Stays Alive Deseret News April 30, 1997 https://www.deseret.com/1997/4/30/19309428/houston-moves-on-orlando-stays-alive February 24, 2023 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 3: Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons Box Score, April 29, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199704290DET.html May 30, 2026 However, the Pistons lost the next two games, including a Game 5 loss to the Hawks at the Omni Coliseum, 84–79, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Associated Press Hawks 84, Pistons 79 The Washington Post May 4, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nba/longterm/1997/playoffs/atldet05.htm May 30, 2022 Associated Press Hawks Earn Date with Bulls The New York Times May 5, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/05/sports/hawks-earn-date-with-bulls.html October 13, 2021 1997 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pistons vs. Hawks Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-pistons-vs-hawks.html February 4, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Thorpe was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies after feuding with Collins during the regular season, Gardner Kris Pistons Deal Thorpe to Vancouver The Houston Roundball Review August 7, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/080797thorpedealt.html December 5, 2022 Associated Press Grizzlies Obtain Pistons' Thorpe The New York Times August 8, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/08/sports/grizzlies-obtain-pistons-thorpe.html January 1, 2022 Thorpe Sent to Grizzlies Tampa Bay Times August 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/08/08/thorpe-sent-to-grizzlies/ September 17, 2022 while Mills signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat, Associated Press Heat Signs Terry Mills The New York Times August 21, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/21/sports/heat-signs-terry-mills.html January 18, 2022 Thompson Jack Miami Signs Mills; Trent in Trouble Chicago Tribune August 21, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-08-21-9708210339-story.html January 4, 2023 Russo Michael Heat Signs Forward Mills Sun Sentinel August 21, 1997 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1997-08-21-9708210050-story.html October 7, 2022 and Curry signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. Wire Services Sports People The Spokesman-Review July 31, 1997 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jul/31/sports-people/ December 27, 2022 Myslenski Skip A Whole New Deal for Bucks Chicago Tribune December 6, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-12-06-9712060080-story.html July 11, 2022 Draft picks 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 26 Jerome Williams PF Georgetown Roster Detroit Pistons 1996–97 #008080 #FFFFFF #C03 #FFFFFF 3 Randolph Childress G 6 2 188 1972–09–21 Wake Forest 12 Michael Curry basketball G 6 5 210 1968–08–22 Georgia Southern University 4 Joe Dumars G 6 3 190 1963–05–24 McNeese State 9 Litterial Green G 6 1 185 1970–03–07 University of Georgia 33 Grant Hill F 6 8 225 1972–10–05 Duke 1 Lindsey Hunter G 6 2 170 1970–12–03 Jackson State 43 Grant Long F 6 8 225 1966–03–12 Eastern Michigan 44 Rick Mahorn C 6 10 240 1958–09–21 Hampton 23 Aaron McKie G 6 5 209 1972–10–02 Temple 6 Terry Mills basketball F 6 10 230 1967–12–21 University of Michigan 42 Theo Ratliff C 6 10 225 1973–04–17 University of Wyoming 52 Don Reid basketball F 6 8 250 1973–12–30 Georgetown 50 Otis Thorpe C 6 9 225 1962–08–05 Providence 13 Jerome Williams basketball F 6 9 206 1973–05–10 Georgetown Doug Collins Johnny Bach Alvin Gentry John Hammond Brian James Mike Abdenour (trainer) https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1997.html February 18, 1997 Regular season Season standings DET DET z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Detroit Pistons 1997 #008080 #FFFFFF Total: 54-28 (Home: 30–11; Road: 24–17) Detroit Pistons November yes #C03 #FFFFFF 6 2 5 1 |- | 1 | November 1 | Indiana | 19961101 DET 95 89 | Joe Dumars (27) | Grant Hill (8) | Grant Hill (5) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 1–0 |- | 2 | November 2 | @ Atlanta | 19961102 ATL 90 78 | Grant Hill (22) | Grant Hill (15) | Grant Hill (9) | Omni Coliseum16,378 | 2–0 |- | 3 | November 5 | @ Philadelphia | 19961105 PHI 83 81 | Grant Hill (22) | Grant Hill (14) | Grant Hill (9) | CoreStates Spectrum12,713 | 3–0 |- | 4 | November 6 | Dallas | 19961106 DET 103 84 | Joe Dumars (18) | Otis Thorpe (13) | Joe Dumars (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills14,473 | 4–0 |- | 5 | November 8 | Chicago | 19961108 DET 80 98 | Joe Dumars (22) | 3 players tied (6) | Grant Hill (5) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 4–1 |- | 6 | November 12 | @ Washington | 19961112 WSB 92 79 | Grant Hill (24) | Grant Long (11) | Grant Hill (7) | US Airways Arena15,111 | 5–1 |- | 7 | November 13 | Denver | 19961113 DET 95 94 1 | Grant Hill (27) | Otis Thorpe (14) | Joe Dumars (5) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills13,717 | 6–1 |- | 8 | November 15 | Washington | 19961115 DET 95 84 | Grant Hill (27) | Otis Thorpe (12) | Joe Dumars (5) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 7–1 |- | 9 | November 16 | @ Cleveland | 19961116 CLE 102 98 | Grant Hill (27) | Thorpe & Dumars (6) | Grant Hill (7) | Gund Arena17,808 | 8–1 |- | 10 | November 20 | @ Boston | 19961120 BOS 108 83 | Grant Hill (23) | 4 players tied (5) | Joe Dumars (9) | FleetCenter14,291 | 9–1 |- | 11 | November 21 | New Jersey | 19961121 DET 96 88 | Joe Dumars (23) | Hill & Thorpe (8) | Grant Hill (9) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills14,753 | 10–1 |- | 12 | November 23 | @ Charlotte | 19961123 CHH 85 93 | Joe Dumars (20) | Otis Thorpe (13) | Joe Dumars (6) | Charlotte Coliseum24,042 | 10–2 |- | 13 | November 27 | Vancouver | 19961127 DET 87 78 | Lindsey Hunter (24) | Otis Thorpe (14) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills15,195 | 11–2 |- | 14 | November 29 | L.A. Lakers | 19961129 DET 76 84 | Grant Hill (20) | Otis Thorpe (12) | Grant Hill (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 11–3 Detroit Pistons December #C03 #FFFFFF 7 1 4 3 |- | 15 | December 1 | Sacramento | 19961201 DET 95 66 | Grant Hill (23) | Grant Hill (14) | Joe Dumars (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills14,063 | 12–3 |- | 16 | December 4 | Atlanta | 19961204 DET 100 90 | Terry Mills (25) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills14,574 | 13–3 |- | 17 | December 6 | Cleveland | 19961206 DET 93 81 | Terry Mills (23) | Otis Thorpe (6) | Terry Mills (9) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills17,806 | 14–3 |- | 18 | December 7 | @ New Jersey | 19961207 NJN 95 69 | Lindsey Hunter (17) | Theo Ratliff (8) | Grant Hill (6) | Continental Airlines Arena12,018 | 15–3 |- | 19 | December 10 | @ Milwaukee | 19961210 MIL 93 85 | Joe Dumars (29) | Thorpe & Long (5) | Grant Hill (9) | Bradley Center13,202 | 16–3 |- | 20 | December 12 | @ Houston | 19961212 HOU 96 115 | Lindsey Hunter (19) | Theo Ratliff (8) | Grant Hill (6) | The Summit16,285 | 16–4 |- | 21 | December 15 | Boston | 19961215 DET 99 89 | Grant Hill (25) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills18,545 | 17–4 |- | 22 | December 16 | @ Toronto | 19961216 TOR 98 92 | Grant Hill (27) | Grant Hill (12) | Grant Hill (5) | SkyDome16,546 | 18–4 |- | 23 | December 18 | New York | 19961218 DET 112 78 | Lindsey Hunter (28) | Grant Hill (10) | Grant Hill (11) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 19–4 |- | 24 | December 20 | @ Indiana | 19961220 IND 84 75 | Lindsey Hunter (20) | Otis Thorpe (15) | Grant Hill (6) | Market Square Arena16,110 | 20–4 |- | 25 | December 21 | @ New York | 19961221 NYK 92 95 | Grant Hill (25) | Hill & Thorpe (8) | 4 players tied (4) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 20–5 |- | 26 | December 25 | @ Chicago | 19961225 CHI 83 95 | Grant Hill (27) | Grant Long (11) | Joe Dumars (3) | United Center23,744 | 20–6 |- | 27 | December 26 | Indiana | 19961226 DET 89 95 1 | Grant Hill (19) | Grant Hill (16) | Grant Hill (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 20–7 |- | 28 | December 28 | Charlotte | 19961228 DET 97 75 | Grant Hill (29) | Otis Thorpe (15) | Grant Hill (6) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 21–7 |- | 29 | December 30 | Orlando | 19961230 DET 97 85 | Grant Hill (25) | Otis Thorpe (9) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 22–7 Detroit Pistons January #C03 #FFFFFF 6 1 4 3 |- | 30 | January 2 | Boston | 19970102 DET 99 87 | Grant Hill (20) | Grant Hill (8) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills18,208 | 23–7 |- | 31 | January 4 | Toronto | 19970104 DET 118 74 | Michael Curry (17) | Grant Hill (8) | Hill & Dumars (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 24–7 |- | 32 | January 7 | Milwaukee | 19970107 DET 76 86 | Grant Hill (24) | Otis Thorpe (10) | Grant Hill (9) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills17,224 | 24–8 |- | 33 | January 10 | San Antonio | 19970110 DET 84 78 | Grant Hill (19) | Otis Thorpe (12) | Grant Hill (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills19,733 | 25–8 |- | 34 | January 11 | Utah | 19970111 DET 87 77 | Hunter & Hill (19) | Hill & Thorpe (11) | Grant Hill (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 26–8 |- | 35 | January 14 | @ Portland | 19970114 POR 86 95 | Terry Mills (24) | Grant Hill (10) | Grant Hill (9) | Rose Garden Arena20,064 | 26–9 |- | 36 | January 15 | @ Vancouver | 19970115 VAN 103 79 | Grant Hill (31) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (9) | General Motors Place16,059 | 27–9 |- | 37 | January 18 | @ L.A. Lakers | 19970118 LAL 100 97 2 | Grant Hill (34) | Grant Hill (15) | Grant Hill (14) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 28–9 |- | 38 | January 20 | @ Phoenix | 19970120 PHO 86 89 | Lindsey Hunter (23) | Otis Thorpe (13) | Grant Hill (11) | America West Arena19,023 | 28–10 |- | 39 | January 22 | @ Sacramento | 19970122 SAC 92 97 | Grant Hill (33) | Otis Thorpe (13) | Grant Hill (4) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 28–11 |- | 40 | January 23 | @ Golden State | 19970123 GSW 94 79 | Terry Mills (22) | Terry Mills (11) | Joe Dumars (8) | San Jose Arena16,187 | 29–11 |- | 41 | January 25 | Philadelphia | 19970125 DET 104 95 | Grant Hill (21) | Grant Hill (16) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 30–11 |- | 42 | January 28 | @ Milwaukee | 19970128 MIL 93 84 | Grant Hill (22) | Otis Thorpe (9) | Joe Dumars (8) | Bradley Center14,487 | 31–11 |- | 43 | January 29 | Portland | 19970129 DET 98 89 | Grant Hill (27) | Otis Thorpe (12) | Joe Dumars (6) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills20,128 | 32–11 Detroit Pistons February #C03 #FFFFFF 5 1 5 2 |- | 44 | February 1 | @ New Jersey | 19970201 NJN 90 75 | Otis Thorpe (23) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (11) | Continental Airlines Arena20,049 | 33–11 |- | 45 | February 2 | Phoenix | 19970202 DET 97 106 | Otis Thorpe (27) | Grant Hill (8) | Joe Dumars (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 33–12 |- | 46 | February 6 | Houston | 19970206 DET 96 87 | Hill & Mills (16) | Otis Thorpe (12) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 34–12 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- | 47 | February 11 | @ Miami | 19970211 MIA 91 104 | Grant Hill (17) | Hill & Thorpe (7) | Hill & Dumars (5) | Miami Arena15,200 | 34–13 |- | 48 | February 12 | Orlando | 19970212 DET 96 87 | Grant Hill (31) | Grant Hill (10) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 35–13 |- | 49 | February 14 | @ Charlotte | 19970214 CHH 109 103 | Grant Hill (29) | Terry Mills (11) | Joe Dumars (6) | Charlotte Coliseum24,042 | 36–13 |- | 50 | February 16 | @ Toronto | 19970216 TOR 92 89 | Grant Hill (23) | Grant Hill (18) | Joe Dumars (7) | Maple Leaf Gardens15,492 | 37–13 |- | 51 | February 19 | Washington | 19970219 DET 100 85 | Lindsey Hunter (25) | Terry Mills (9) | Hill & Dumars (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 38–13 |- | 52 | February 21 | New Jersey | 19970221 DET 98 84 | Grant Hill (19) | Grant Hill (9) | Grant Hill (13) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 39–13 |- | 53 | February 23 | @ Washington | 19970223 WSB 85 79 | Aaron McKie (16) | Terry Mills (14) | Hill & Dumars (5) | US Airways Arena18,756 | 40–13 |- | 54 | February 24 | @ Orlando | 19970224 ORL 84 93 | Theo Ratliff (17) | Grant Hill (8) | Grant Hill (6) | Orlando Arena17,248 | 40–14 |- | 55 | February 26 | Golden State | 19970226 DET 117 84 | Hunter & Mills (21) | Grant Hill (7) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 41–14 |- | 56 | February 28 | @ Boston | 19970228 BOS 106 100 1 | Grant Hill (29) | Grant Hill (12) | Grant Hill (12) | FleetCenter18,264 | 42–14 Detroit Pistons March #C03 #FFFFFF 4 3 3 5 |- | 57 | March 2 | Atlanta | 19970302 DET 82 75 | Grant Hill (23) | Otis Thorpe (12) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 43–14 |- | 58 | March 4 | Miami | 19970304 DET 99 108 | Lindsey Hunter (26) | Otis Thorpe (9) | Grant Hill (9) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 43–15 |- | 59 | March 5 | @ Minnesota | 19970305 MIN 92 88 | Lindsey Hunter (21) | Otis Thorpe (9) | Aaron McKie (5) | Target Center17,003 | 44–15 |- | 60 | March 7 | @ Utah | 19970307 UTA 88 95 | Grant Hill (29) | Otis Thorpe (9) | Grant Hill (8) | Delta Center19,911 | 44–16 |- | 61 | March 8 | @ L.A. Clippers | 19970308 LAC 91 85 | Joe Dumars (23) | Grant Hill (10) | Grant Hill (8) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena16,021 | 45–16 |- | 62 | March 11 | @ Seattle | 19970311 SEA 80 93 | Grant Hill (18) | Terry Mills (7) | Grant Hill (8) | KeyArena at Seattle Center17,072 | 45–17 |- | 63 | March 13 | @ Denver | 19970313 DEN 102 82 | Grant Hill (28) | Grant Hill (14) | Grant Hill (7) | McNichols Sports Arena13,813 | 46–17 |- | 64 | March 16 | Seattle | 19970316 DET 86 83 | Terry Mills (25) | Grant Hill (11) | Joe Dumars (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 47–17 |- | 65 | March 17 | @ Cleveland | 19970317 CLE 82 85 | Otis Thorpe (20) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (7) | Gund Arena17,648 | 47–18 |- | 66 | March 19 | Toronto | 19970319 DET 97 99 | Otis Thorpe (21) | Otis Thorpe (6) | Hill & Dumars (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 47–19 |- | 67 | March 21 | Minnesota | 19970321 DET 112 98 | Grant Hill (22) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 48–19 |- | 68 | March 22 | @ Chicago | 19970322 CHI 88 103 | Grant Hill (16) | Don Reid (8) | Grant Hill (8) | United Center23,896 | 48–20 |- | 69 | March 26 | @ New York | 19970326 NYK 94 105 | Lindsey Hunter (19) | Grant Hill (9) | Joe Dumars (6) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 48–21 |- | 70 | March 28 | L.A. Clippers | 19970328 DET 113 85 | Joe Dumars (26) | Grant Hill (10) | Joe Dumars (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 49–21 |- | 71 | March 30 | Philadelphia | 19970330 DET 92 96 | Otis Thorpe (24) | Grant Hill (16) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 49–22 Detroit Pistons April #C03 #FFFFFF 2 3 3 3 |- | 72 | April 1 | @ Dallas | 19970401 DAL 100 82 | Grant Hill (35) | Grant Hill (18) | Grant Hill (6) | Reunion Arena15,291 | 50–22 |- | 73 | April 2 | @ San Antonio | 19970402 SAS 99 92 | Grant Hill (31) | Grant Hill (11) | Grant Hill (10) | Alamodome14,489 | 51–22 |- | 74 | April 4 | @ Atlanta | 19970404 ATL 89 103 | Grant Hill (22) | Grant Hill (12) | Grant Hill (12) | Omni Coliseum16,378 | 51–23 |- | 75 | April 7 | Miami | 19970407 DET 88 94 | Otis Thorpe (23) | Otis Thorpe (14) | Grant Hill (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 51–24 |- | 76 | April 10 | @ Miami | 19970410 MIA 83 93 | Terry Mills (24) | Grant Hill (9) | Grant Hill (8) | Miami Arena15,200 | 51–25 |- | 77 | April 11 | Charlotte | 19970411 DET 85 93 | Joe Dumars (21) | Grant Hill (14) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 51–26 |- | 78 | April 13 | Chicago | 19970413 DET 108 91 | Terry Mills (29) | Grant Hill (12) | Grant Hill (10) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 52–26 |- | 79 | April 14 | @ Orlando | 19970414 ORL 91 100 | Lindsey Hunter (17) | Grant Hill (15) | Grant Hill (13) | Orlando Arena17,248 | 52–27 |- | 80 | April 16 | Milwaukee | 19970416 DET 92 85 | Theo Ratliff (25) | Ratliff & McKie (12) | Aaron McKie (8) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 53–27 |- | 81 | April 18 | Cleveland | 19970418 DET 75 82 | Hill & Mills (14) | Grant Hill (6) | Grant Hill (7) | The Palace Of Auburn Hills21,454 | 53–28 |- | 82 | April 20 | @ Indiana | 19970420 IND 124 120 1 | Grant Hill (38) | Aaron McKie (8) | McKie & Hill (7) | Market Square Arena16,705 | 54–28 DET 1997 Playoffs Detroit Pistons 1997 yes #008080 #FFFFFF Detroit Pistons First Round yes no yes #C03 #FFFFFF 1 1 1 2 |- | 1 | April 25 | @ Atlanta | L 75–89 | Grant Hill (20) | Grant Hill (14) | Grant Hill (7) | Omni Coliseum15,795 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 27 | @ Atlanta | W 93–80 | Grant Hill (25) | Otis Thorpe (8) | Grant Hill (3) | Omni Coliseum16,378 | 1–1 |- | 3 | April 29 | Atlanta | W 99–91 | Lindsey Hunter (26) | Terry Mills (7) | Grant Hill (8) | The Palace of Auburn Hills20,059 | 2–1 |- | 4 | May 2 | Atlanta | L 82–94 | Grant Hill (28) | Terry Mills (10) | three players tied (3) | The Palace of Auburn Hills21,454 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 4 | @ Atlanta | L 79–84 | Grant Hill (21) | Lindsey Hunter (9) | Grant Hill (6) | Omni Coliseum16,378 | 2–3 |- DET 1997 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Augmon, Stacey Stacey Augmon 20 3 14.6 .403 — .683 2.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 4.5 Childress, Randolph Randolph Childress 4 0 7.5 .400 .667 — 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.0 2.5 Curry, Michael Michael Curry 81 2 15.0 .448 .299 .898 1.5 0.5 0.4 0.1 3.9 Dumars, Joe Joe Dumars 79 79 37.0 .440 .432 .867 2.4 4.0 0.7 0.0 14.7 Green, Litterial Litterial Green 45 0 6.9 .469 .000 .638 0.5 0.9 0.4 0.0 2.0 Hill, Grant Grant Hill 80 80 39.3 .496 .303 .711 9.0 7.3 1.8 0.621.4 Hunter, Lindsey Lindsey Hunter 82 76 36.9 .404 .355 .778 2.8 1.9 1.6 0.314.2 Long, Grant Grant Long 65 24 17.9 .447 .362 .750 3.4 0.6 0.7 0.15.0 Mahorn, Rick Rick Mahorn 22 7 9.9 .370 .000 .727 2.4 0.3 0.2 0.12.5 McKie, Aaron Aaron McKie 42 3 20.2 .464 .375 .836 3.0 1.8 1.0 0.26.3 Mills, Terry Terry Mills 79 5 25.3 .444 .422 .829 4.8 1.3 0.4 0.310.8 Ratliff, Theo Theo Ratliff 76 38 17.0 .531 — .698 3.4 0.2 0.4 1.55.8 Reid, Don Don Reid 47 14 9.8 .482 .000 .750 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.32.8 Smith, Kenny Kenny Smith 9 0 7.1 .400 .500 1.000 0.6 1.1 0.1 0.02.6 Thorpe, Otis Otis Thorpe 79 79 33.7 .532 .000 .653 7.9 1.7 0.7 0.213.1 Williams, Jerome Jerome Williams 33 0 5.4 .392 — .529 1.5 0.2 0.4 0.01.5 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Hill, Grant Grant Hill 5 5 40.6 .437 — .718 6.8 5.4 0.8 1.023.6 Hunter, Lindsey Lindsey Hunter 5 5 40.2 .439 .414 .714 3.6 1.2 1.2 0.215.0 Dumars, Joe Joe Dumars 5 5 42.8 .361 .261 .950 1.8 2.0 1.0 0.013.8 Mills, Terry Terry Mills 5 4 39.2 .436 .346 .500 7.0 1.4 1.2 0.011.8 Thorpe, Otis Otis Thorpe 5 5 30.4 .512 — .778 6.4 0.8 0.4 0.09.8 Long, Grant Grant Long 5 0 17.2 .444 .000 .818 2.2 0.6 0.8 0.05.0 Williams, Jerome Jerome Williams 1 0 5.0 1.000 — — 3.0 0.0 1.0 0.04.0 Reid, Don Don Reid 1 0 3.0 — — 1.000 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.04.0 McKie, Aaron Aaron McKie 5 0 19.4 .350 .200 — 2.0 2.0 1.2 0.43.0 Ratliff, Theo Theo Ratliff 3 0 6.0 .750 — .500 1.3 0.3 0.3 1.32.7 Curry, Michael Michael Curry 2 0 3.5 .500 — .000 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.01.0 Mahorn, Rick Rick Mahorn 2 1 9.0 .000 — — 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.00.0 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Grant Hill, All-NBA First Team Transactions July 15, 1996: Signed Michael Curry; released Mark West and Lou Roe July 15, 1996: Traded a 1997 2nd Round Draft Pick (which became Alain Digbeu), two 1999 1st Round Draft Picks (Cal Bowdler and Dion Glover) and one 1999 2nd Round Draft Pick (Lari Ketner) to the Atlanta Hawks for Stacey Augmon and Grant Long August 5, 1996: Signed Rick Mahorn August 30, 1996: Signed Litterial Green September 17, 1996: Signed Kenny Smith November 23, 1996: Waived Kenny Smith January 24, 1997: Acquired Randolph Childress, Reggie Jordan and Aaron McKie from the Portland Trail Blazers for Stacey Augmon February 18, 1997: Waived Reggie Jordan Player transactions citation: 1996–97 Detroit Pistons Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1997_transactions.html December 27, 2021 References See also 1996-97 NBA season Category:Detroit Pistons seasons Detroit Detroit Detroit