2004 NBA playoffs

The 2004 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers four games to one in the NBA Finals. Chauncey Billups was named NBA Finals MVP.

Source: Wikipedia

Article

2004 NBA playoffs

The San Antonio Spurs hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals at the SBC Center

Overview

2004 NBA playoffs

The 2004 playoffs was the first appearance for the Memphis Grizzlies in their nine-year history which began in Vancouver. However, they failed to win a single game in their first 3 playoff appearances (2004, (/wiki/2005NBAplayoffs), (/wiki/2006NBAplayoffs)), before earning their first playoff game and series victories in (/wiki/2011NBAplayoffs).

The Minnesota Timberwolves, entered their eighth consecutive post season.

The Denver Nuggets made the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1995NBAplayoffs).

The New Orleans Hornets made their final postseason appearance as a member of the East. They would not make the playoffs again until (/wiki/2008NBAplayoffs), as a member of the West (the result of a realignment with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004–05 NBA season). Their playoff series with the Miami Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, was the last playoff series where the home team won all seven games until (/wiki/2008NBAplayoffs)'s Boston–Atlanta and Boston–Cleveland playoff series.

The Houston Rockets made playoffs for the first time since 1999. As a result, 2004 was the first time in 14 years that all Texas teams made the playoffs, and the second time (first in ten years) that all former ABA teams made the playoffs. This was Steve Francis' only career playoff appearance.

This was the first postseason since 1998 without Allen Iverson or Tracy McGrady.

The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks both made the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/2001NBAplayoffs). This marked Dwyane Wade's first postseason appearance and the start of four straight playoff appearances for the Heat. For the Knicks, on the other hand, this was their last appearance until (/wiki/2011NBAplayoffs).

The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz missed the playoffs for the first time since (/wiki/1982NBAplayoffs) and (/wiki/1983NBAplayoffs), respectively.

Game 4 of the Spurs–Grizzlies series was the last NBA game ever played at Pyramid Arena. That game and Game 3 of the same series were the only playoff games to take place in The Pyramid before the Grizzlies moved to FedExForum in the autumn of 2004.

With their series win over the Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves won their first playoff series in franchise history.

With their first round series loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Dallas Mavericks lost a first round playoff series for the first time since 1990. As of 2024, this remains the Kings’ most recent series victory.

Game 5 of the Lakers–Spurs series was extremely notable for both teams’ last shots. Tim Duncan scored a two–pointer to give the Spurs a 73–72 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining. However, Derek Fisher would hit the game winning shot as time expired to give the Lakers a 74–73 victory in San Antonio.

With their conference semifinals victory over the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since their NBA Finals run in (/wiki/2000NBAplayoffs), after which they significantly changed the makeup of their team (yet still made the playoffs every year).

With their conference semifinals victory over the Sacramento Kings, the Minnesota Timberwolves made their first conference finals appearance in franchise history. They didn't return to the conference finals until (/wiki/2024NBAPlayoffs).

Game 2 of the Pistons–Pacers series was notable for Tayshaun Prince's block of Reggie Miller's late game layup.

Game 6 of the Timberwolves–Lakers series was the last Minnesota Timberwolves postseason game until (/wiki/2018NBAplayoffs).

With their Conference Finals win over the Indiana Pacers, the Detroit Pistons made the NBA Finals for the first time since (/wiki/1990NBAFinals).

In a shocking upset, the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to win the NBA Championship.

Playoff qualifying

Best record in NBA

The Indiana Pacers clinched the best record in the NBA and had earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when Indiana lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, home court advantage for the NBA Finals switched to the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers, who had posted a better regular season record at 56–26 than the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons at 54–28.

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:

• Indiana Pacers (61–21) (clinched Central division) • New Jersey Nets (47–35) (clinched Atlantic division) • Detroit Pistons (54–28) • Miami Heat (42–40) • New Orleans Hornets (41–41, 3–1 head-to-head vs. MIL) • Milwaukee Bucks (41–41, 1–3 head-to-head vs. NOH) • New York Knicks (39–43) • Boston Celtics (36–46)

Best record in conference

The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched the best record in the Western Conference and had home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. However, when Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals because the Lakers posted a better regular season record at 56-26 than the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons at 54–28.

Clinched a playoff berth

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:

• Minnesota Timberwolves (58–24) (clinched Midwest division) • Los Angeles Lakers (56–26) (clinched Pacific division) • San Antonio Spurs (57–25) • Sacramento Kings (55–27) • Dallas Mavericks (52–30) • Memphis Grizzlies (50–32) • Houston Rockets (45–37) • Denver Nuggets (43–39)

Bracket

2004 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>Conference Quarterfinals</th><th></th><th></th><th>Conference Semifinals</th><th></th><th></th><th>Conference Finals</th><th></th><th></th><th>NBA Finals</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td><td></td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E8</td><td>Boston</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Miami</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Miami</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E5</td><td>New Orleans</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Indiana</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Eastern Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Milwaukee</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>New Jersey</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E2</td><td>New Jersey</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E7</td><td>New York</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Denver</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W4</td><td>Sacramento</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W4</td><td>Sacramento</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Dallas</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Western Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W3</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W6</td><td>Memphis</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W2</td><td>LA Lakers</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W7</td><td>Houston</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

First round

2004 NBA playoffs

All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (8) Boston Celtics

<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 11, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 78, Indiana Pacers 76</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>January 2, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 103, Boston Celtics 90</td></tr><tr><td>FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr><tr><td>January 31, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 98, Indiana Pacers 99</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 99, Boston Celtics 81</td></tr><tr><td>FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first three meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 3–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 3, Indiana Pacers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 3, Indiana Pacers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 4, Indiana Pacers 2</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(2) New Jersey Nets vs. (7) New York Knicks

<table><thead><tr><th>New Jersey won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 14, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 80, New Jersey Nets 85</td></tr><tr><td>Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr><tr><td>January 4, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 95, New York Knicks 85</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York</td></tr><tr><td>March 19, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 65, New York Knicks 79</td></tr><tr><td>Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York</td></tr><tr><td>April 2, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New York Knicks 83, New Jersey Nets 108</td></tr><tr><td>Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>New York leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 0, New York Knicks 2</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 1, New York Knicks 3</td></tr><tr><td>1994 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) Detroit Pistons vs. (6) Milwaukee Bucks

<table><thead><tr><th>Detroit won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 7, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 99, Detroit Pistons 105</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>December 23, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 78, Milwaukee Bucks 83</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>January 17, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 99, Milwaukee Bucks 94</td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin</td></tr><tr><td>February 18, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Milwaukee Bucks 98, Detroit Pistons 102</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first two meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Detroit leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1976</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 2, Milwaukee Bucks 1</td></tr><tr><td>1976 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 4, Milwaukee Bucks 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(4) Miami Heat vs. (5) New Orleans Hornets

<table><thead><tr><th>Miami won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 25, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Orleans Hornets 87, Miami Heat 91</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>January 31, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 94, New Orleans Hornets 70</td></tr><tr><td>New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana</td></tr><tr><td>March 10, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 84, New Orleans Hornets 95</td></tr><tr><td>New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana</td></tr><tr><td>March 16, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Orleans Hornets 83, Miami Heat 96</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida</td></tr></tbody></table>

• In Game 1, Dwyane Wade hits the game winner with 1.3 seconds left.

This was the first playoff meeting between the Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets franchise.

(1) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (8) Denver Nuggets

<table><thead><tr><th>Minnesota won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 18, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 76, Minnesota Timberwolves 89</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>January 26, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 97, Denver Nuggets 95</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>March 21, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 77, Minnesota Timberwolves 98</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>March 24, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 92, Denver Nuggets 101</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves.

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Houston Rockets

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 25, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 99, Los Angeles Lakers 87</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr><tr><td>February 11, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 87, Houston Rockets 102</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 3, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 96, Houston Rockets 93</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>April 1, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 85, Los Angeles Lakers 93</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning three series apiece.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 3–3 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1981</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 2, Los Angeles Lakers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1981 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1986 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 1, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 0, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1991 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 3, Los Angeles Lakers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 1, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Memphis Grizzlies

<table><thead><tr><th>Memphis won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 3, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 80, Memphis Grizzlies 88</td></tr><tr><td>The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee</td></tr><tr><td>December 15, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Memphis Grizzlies 67, San Antonio Spurs 78</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 1, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Memphis Grizzlies 81, San Antonio Spurs 80</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 9, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 88, Memphis Grizzlies 94</td></tr><tr><td>The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Grizzlies and the Spurs.

(4) Sacramento Kings vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks

<table><thead><tr><th>Dallas won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 25, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 111, Sacramento Kings 103</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>January 25, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 99, Dallas Mavericks 108</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 11, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 102, Sacramento Kings 120</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>April 1, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 117, Dallas Mavericks 127</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2002</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 1, Sacramento Kings 4</td></tr><tr><td>2002 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 4, Sacramento Kings 3</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

• As of the 2025-26 season, this remains the last playoff series the Kings won.

Conference semifinals

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (4) Miami Heat

<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana won 3–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 5, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 87, Miami Heat 65</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida</td></tr><tr><td>February 8, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 91, Indiana Pacers 97</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>March 28, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 80, Indiana Pacers 87</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Pacers and the Heat.

(3) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) New Jersey Nets

• In Game 5, Chauncey Billups hits a half court buzzer beater to send the game to OT. 12 years later, Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors would do the same in Game 1 against the Miami Heat in their second round matchup.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 9, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 84, Detroit Pistons 98</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>December 26, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 82, Detroit Pistons 79</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>February 10, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 78, New Jersey Nets 89</td></tr><tr><td>Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr><tr><td>March 18, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 89, New Jersey Nets 71</td></tr><tr><td>Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 3, New Jersey Nets 0</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 0, New Jersey Nets 4</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>

(1) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (4) Sacramento Kings

<table><thead><tr><th>Minnesota won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 5, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 125, Minnesota Timberwolves 121 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>December 5, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 112, Sacramento Kings 109 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>February 19, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 75, Minnesota Timberwolves 92</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>April 8, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 94, Sacramento Kings 86</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the first playoff meeting between the Timberwolves and the Kings.

• This would be the last playoff series the Timberwolves won until the 2023-24 season.

(3) San Antonio Spurs vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers

In the final seconds of Game 5, Tim Duncan hits a fadeaway shot over Shaquille O'Neal to give the Spurs the lead, but with 0.4 seconds left, Derek Fisher off the inbounds pass hits a miracle buzzer beater to give the Lakers the victory.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 6, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 120, San Antonio Spurs 117 (2OT)</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>November 28, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 87, Los Angeles Lakers 103</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr><tr><td>December 3, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 90, San Antonio Spurs 86</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>April 4, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 95, Los Angeles Lakers 89</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first nine meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 6–3 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1986 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 0, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>1999 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>2001 Western Conference Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, San Antonio Spurs 1</td></tr><tr><td>2002 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>

Conference finals

(1) Indiana Pacers vs. (3) Detroit Pistons

<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>October 29, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 89, Detroit Pistons 87</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>December 19, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 75, Indiana Pacers 80</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>January 20, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 69, Indiana Pacers 81</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana</td></tr><tr><td>April 4, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 61, Detroit Pistons 79</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>Detroit leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 3, Indiana Pacers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

(1) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers

<table><thead><tr><th>Minnesota won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>January 6, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 90, Minnesota Timberwolves 106</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>January 30, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 97, Los Angeles Lakers 84</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 86, Minnesota Timberwolves 96</td></tr><tr><td>Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota</td></tr><tr><td>March 26, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Timberwolves 73, Los Angeles Lakers 90</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 4, Minnesota Timberwolves 2</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>

• This was the Timberwolves only Conference Finals appearance until the 2023-24 season. In addition, the was the Lakers 4th Conference Finals victory since the 1999-00 season.

NBA Finals: (W2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (E3) Detroit Pistons

2004 NBA playoffs

• In Game 2, Kobe Bryant hits the game-tying 3 with 2.1 seconds left to force OT. • Game 4 is Karl Malone's final NBA game.

<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 14, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 89, Los Angeles Lakers 94</td></tr><tr><td>Staples Center, Los Angeles, California</td></tr><tr><td>November 18, 2003</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Los Angeles Lakers 96, Detroit Pistons 106</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr></tbody></table>

This was the 12th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning nine of the first 11 meetings.

<table><thead><tr><th>Los Angeles leads 9–2 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1950</td></tr><tr><td>Fort Wayne Pistons 0, Minneapolis Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1950 Central Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1953</td></tr><tr><td>Fort Wayne Pistons 2, Minneapolis Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1953 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1954</td></tr><tr><td>Fort Wayne Pistons 0, Minneapolis Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1954 Western Division Round Robin Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1955</td></tr><tr><td>Fort Wayne Pistons 3, Minneapolis Lakers 1</td></tr><tr><td>1955 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1957</td></tr><tr><td>Fort Wayne Pistons 0, Minneapolis Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1957 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1959</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 1, Minneapolis Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1959 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1960</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 0, Minneapolis Lakers 2</td></tr><tr><td>1960 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1961</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 2, Los Angeles Lakers 3</td></tr><tr><td>1961 Western Division Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1962</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 2, Los Angeles Lakers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1962 Western Division Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 3, Los Angeles Lakers 4</td></tr><tr><td>1988 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 4, Los Angeles Lakers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1989 NBA Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>

Statistical leaders

2004 NBA playoffs

<table><thead><tr><th>Category</th><th>Game high</th><th>Average</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>High</td><td>Player</td><td>Team</td><td>Avg.</td><td>GP</td></tr><tr><td>Points</td><td>Kobe Bryant</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>42</td><td>Dirk Nowitzki</td><td>Dallas Mavericks</td><td>26.6</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Ben Wallace</td><td>Detroit Pistons</td><td>24</td><td>Kevin Garnett</td><td>Minnesota Timberwolves</td><td>14.6</td><td>18</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Steve Nash</td><td>Dallas Mavericks</td><td>14</td><td>Jason Kidd</td><td>New Jersey Nets</td><td>9.0</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Chauncey Billups Latrell Sprewell Mike Bibby Trenton Hassell Reggie Miller Doug Christie Caron Butler Al Harrington Kobe Bryant</td><td>Detroit Pistons Minnesota Timberwolves Sacramento Kings Minnesota Timberwolves Indiana Pacers Sacramento Kings Miami Heat Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>5</td><td>Brevin Knight</td><td>Milwaukee Bucks</td><td>2.8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>8</td><td>Shaquille O'Neal</td><td>Los Angeles Lakers</td><td>2.8</td><td>22</td></tr></tbody></table>