2005 NBA playoffs
The 2005 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named Finals MVP.
Article
2005 NBA playoffs
The 2005 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeating the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. Tim Duncan was named Finals MVP.
Overview
2005 NBA playoffs
The Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards ended long playoff droughts in 2005, meeting each other in the first round. For the Washington Wizards, it was their first playoff appearance since (/wiki/1997NBAplayoffs) — even more ironic their opponents for that postseason appearance were the Bulls who swept them on their way to their fifth NBA title. For the Chicago Bulls, it was their first post-Michael Jordan playoff appearance, as their last playoff game was Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. They consistently placed at or near the bottom of the Central Division in between, and their 47–35 season in 2005 was a 24–game improvement from 2004.
The Phoenix Suns returned to the NBA playoffs after a one season absence. The Houston Rockets and the Memphis Grizzlies entered their second consecutive postseason.
For the Los Angeles Lakers, it marked the first time in 11 seasons (dating back to 1994) and the fifth time in NBA history that they missed the playoffs. This was thus the last time until (/wiki/2018NBAplayoffs) that the playoffs would be played entirely outside of Los Angeles. The Minnesota Timberwolves missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
This was the last time that the Seattle SuperSonics would be in the playoffs before they relocated to Oklahoma to become the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For the third straight year (fifth overall) the Pacers met the Celtics in the first round. Boston won in 2003 4–2, while Indiana swept Boston in 2004. This time, Indiana won 4–3. It would be Boston's last playoff appearance until (/wiki/2008NBAplayoffs).
With their first round series win over the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards won their first playoff series since (/wiki/1982NBAplayoffs), and first playoff game since (/wiki/1988NBAplayoffs). They also won a best of seven series for the first time since 1979. With their first round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Phoenix Suns won their first playoff series since 2000.
With their conference semifinals sweep of the Washington Wizards, the Miami Heat became the first team to go 8–0 through the first two rounds after the first round was made into a best-of-7 in the 2003 playoffs. The 2009 Cavaliers, 2010 Magic, 2012 Spurs, 2016 Cavaliers, 2017 Cavaliers and the 2017 Warriors followed suit. No team (until 2016) has made the finals after going 8–0 in the first two rounds, let alone win 12 straight games going to the NBA Finals (until the 2017 Warriors), though the Spurs came close in (/wiki/2012NBAplayoffs) when they won their first 10 playoff games, then lost their next four to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the first team to go 8–0 through the first two rounds and make the NBA Finals.
With their conference semifinals victory over the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1993, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
Game 6 of the Spurs–SuperSonics series was the last NBA Playoff game ever played at Key Arena.
With their Game 7 win over the Miami Heat, the Detroit Pistons advanced to their second consecutive NBA Finals.
The NBA Finals marked the first time since (/wiki/1987NBAplayoffs) that the two previous champions met in the Finals (the Spurs won in 2003, the Pistons in 2004).
The NBA Finals went to a Game 7 for the first time since 1994.
With their Game 7 win over the Detroit Pistons, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA Championship. For the Spurs, it was their third title (they also won in the lockout–shortened season of 1998–99).
Format
2005 NBA playoffs
Beginning with the 2004–05 season, with the addition of the 30th NBA franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats, the NBA realigned its divisions. Each conference now has three divisions of five teams each, and at this point in time, the winner of each division was guaranteed a top three playoff seed, regardless of whether the team had one of the top eight records in its conference. However, the division champion was not guaranteed home court advantage; a division-leading team with a poor record could be ranked number three but face a sixth seed with a better record, which would then have home court advantage. This has since been rectified by the NBA.
Playoff qualifying
Best record in conference
The Miami Heat clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, and had home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:
• Miami Heat (59–23) (clinched Southeast division) • Detroit Pistons (54–28) (clinched Central division) • Boston Celtics (45–37) (clinched Atlantic division) • Chicago Bulls (47–35) • Washington Wizards (45–37) • Indiana Pacers (44–38) • Philadelphia 76ers (43–39) • New Jersey Nets (42–40)
Best record in NBA
The Phoenix Suns clinched the best record in the NBA, and earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when Phoenix lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals.
Clinched a playoff berth
The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:
• Phoenix Suns (62–20) (clinched Pacific division) • San Antonio Spurs (59–23) (clinched Southwest division) • Seattle SuperSonics (52–30) (clinched Northwest division) • Dallas Mavericks (58–24) • Houston Rockets (51–31) • Sacramento Kings (50–32) • Denver Nuggets (49–33) • Memphis Grizzlies (45–37)
Bracket
2005 NBA playoffs
<table><thead><tr><th></th><th>First Round</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>Miami</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E8</td><td>New Jersey</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Miami</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Washington</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E4</td><td>Chicago</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E5</td><td>Washington</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E1</td><td>Miami</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Eastern Conference</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E3</td><td>Boston</td><td>3</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Indiana</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E6</td><td>Indiana</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Detroit</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>E7</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>E2</td><td>Detroit</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W8</td><td>Memphis</td><td>0</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W4</td><td>Dallas</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W4</td><td>Dallas</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W5</td><td>Houston</td><td>3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W1</td><td>Phoenix</td><td>1</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>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Seattle</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W6</td><td>Sacramento</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>W3</td><td>Seattle</td><td>2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>W2</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W2</td><td>San Antonio</td><td>4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>W7</td><td>Denver</td><td>1</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
First round
2005 NBA playoffs
All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)
(1) Miami Heat vs. (8) New Jersey Nets
<table><thead><tr><th>Miami won 3–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 3, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 100, New Jersey Nets 77</td></tr><tr><td>Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr><tr><td>March 3, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 106, New Jersey Nets 90</td></tr><tr><td>Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey Nets 65, Miami Heat 90</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Nets and the Heat.
(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
<table><thead><tr><th>Detroit won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 6, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 91, Detroit Pistons 99</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>January 15, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Philadelphia 76ers 95, Detroit Pistons 99</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>February 16, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 93, Philadelphia 76ers 75</td></tr><tr><td>Wachovia Center, Philadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>March 23, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 84, Philadelphia 76ers 107</td></tr><tr><td>Wachovia Center, Philadelphia</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece. The first meeting took place while the Nationals/76ers franchise were in Syracuse and the Pistons franchise were in Fort Wayne.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1955</td></tr><tr><td>Fort Wayne Pistons 3, Syracuse Nationals 4</td></tr><tr><td>1955 NBA Finals</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Eastern Conference Semifinals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) Indiana Pacers
<table><thead><tr><th>Indiana won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 5, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 100, Boston Celtics 94</td></tr><tr><td>FleetCenter, Boston</td></tr><tr><td>November 23, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 96, Indiana Pacers 106</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>January 26, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 86, Boston Celtics 100</td></tr><tr><td>FleetCenter, Boston</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning three of the first four meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>Boston leads 3–1 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><tr><td>2004</td></tr><tr><td>Boston Celtics 0, Indiana Pacers 4</td></tr><tr><td>2004 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(4) Chicago Bulls vs. (5) Washington Wizards
• Gilbert Arenas hits the game-winning buzzer beater in Game 5.
<table><thead><tr><th>Washington won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 4, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 88, Washington Wizards 95</td></tr><tr><td>MCI Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr><tr><td>February 25, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Washington Wizards 90, Chicago Bulls 97</td></tr><tr><td>United Center, Chicago, Illinois</td></tr><tr><td>April 13, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 82, Washington Wizards 93</td></tr><tr><td>MCI Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Chicago leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td>Chicago Bulls 3, Washington Bullets 0</td></tr><tr><td>1997 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 23, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Memphis Grizzlies 102, Phoenix Suns 109</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>January 19, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Memphis Grizzlies 88, Phoenix Suns 79</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>February 1, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 97, Memphis Grizzlies 108</td></tr><tr><td>FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee</td></tr><tr><td>March 20, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 97, Memphis Grizzlies 91</td></tr><tr><td>FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Grizzlies and the Suns.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Denver Nuggets
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 26, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 89, Denver Nuggets 75</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr><tr><td>January 8, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 90, San Antonio Spurs 99</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>March 12, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 90, San Antonio Spurs 87</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>April 1, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 84, Denver Nuggets 102</td></tr><tr><td>Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning three of the first four meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio leads 3–1 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1983</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 1, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>1983 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 3, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1985 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 0, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>Denver Nuggets 0, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1995 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(3) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (6) Sacramento Kings
<table><thead><tr><th>Seattle won 3–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 10, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 78, Seattle SuperSonics 108</td></tr><tr><td>KeyArena, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>February 1, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 106, Sacramento Kings 101</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr><tr><td>February 10, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 107, Seattle SuperSonics 115</td></tr><tr><td>KeyArena, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>April 5, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 101, Sacramento Kings 122</td></tr><tr><td>ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the SuperSonics winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Seattle leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento Kings 1, Seattle SuperSonics 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(4) Dallas Mavericks vs. (5) Houston Rockets
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 2, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 106, Dallas Mavericks 113 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>December 11, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 102, Houston Rockets 78</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr><tr><td>January 12, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Houston Rockets 124, Dallas Mavericks 114</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>March 6, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 69, Houston Rockets 90</td></tr><tr><td>Toyota Center, Houston, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Mavericks winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Dallas leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1988</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 3, Houston Rockets 1</td></tr><tr><td>1988 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference semifinals
(1) Miami Heat vs. (5) Washington Wizards
<table><thead><tr><th>Miami won 4–0 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 6, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 118, Washington Wizards 106</td></tr><tr><td>MCI Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr><tr><td>November 9, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Washington Wizards 93, Miami Heat 103</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>December 13, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Washington Wizards 83, Miami Heat 106</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr><tr><td>December 15, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 98, Washington Wizards 93</td></tr><tr><td>MCI Center, Washington, D.C.</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Heat and the Wizards.
(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (6) Indiana Pacers
• Game 6 is Reggie Miller's final NBA game.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 19, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 97, Detroit Pistons 82</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>December 25, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 98, Indiana Pacers 93</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>January 27, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 88, Indiana Pacers 76</td></tr><tr><td>Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis</td></tr><tr><td>March 23, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Indiana Pacers 94, Detroit Pistons 81</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>1990</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 3, Indiana Pacers 0</td></tr><tr><td>1990 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 4, Indiana Pacers 2</td></tr><tr><td>2004 Eastern Conference Finals</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (4) Dallas Mavericks
<table><thead><tr><th>Phoenix won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 16, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 107, Dallas Mavericks 101</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas</td></tr><tr><td>February 17, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Dallas Mavericks 119, Phoenix Suns 113</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>February 26, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 124, Dallas Mavericks 123</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Center, Dallas</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Mavericks and the Suns.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Seattle SuperSonics
• Tim Duncan made the series-winning shot with 0.5 seconds left in Game 6.
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 2–2 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 7, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 94, Seattle SuperSonics 113</td></tr><tr><td>KeyArena, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>December 8, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 102, San Antonio Spurs 96</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>January 31, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 103, Seattle SuperSonics 84</td></tr><tr><td>KeyArena, Seattle</td></tr><tr><td>March 30, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Seattle SuperSonics 76, San Antonio Spurs 89</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Spurs winning the first two meetings.
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio leads 2–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1982</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 4, Seattle SuperSonics 1</td></tr><tr><td>1982 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 3, Seattle SuperSonics 2</td></tr><tr><td>2002 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
Conference finals
(1) Miami Heat vs. (2) Detroit Pistons
The Pistons beat the Heat in seven games in part because of the comeback mounted in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the Eastern Finals by Chauncey Billups. Dwyane Wade also missed Game 6 of the series due to a rib injury.
To date, this is the last time the Pistons won the Eastern Conference championship.
<table><thead><tr><th>Detroit won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>November 26, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 77, Detroit Pistons 78</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>December 30, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Miami Heat 89, Detroit Pistons 78</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr><tr><td>April 10, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 80, Miami Heat 72</td></tr><tr><td>American Airlines Arena, Miami</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Heat winning the first meeting.
<table><thead><tr><th>Miami leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 0, Miami Heat 3</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Eastern Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
(1) Phoenix Suns vs. (2) San Antonio Spurs
<table><thead><tr><th>San Antonio won 2–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 28, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 94, San Antonio Spurs 115</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>January 21, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 128, Phoenix Suns 123 (OT)</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</td></tr><tr><td>March 9, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 101, Phoenix Suns 107</td></tr><tr><td>America West Arena, Phoenix, Arizona</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>1992</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 0</td></tr><tr><td>1992 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 4, San Antonio Spurs 2</td></tr><tr><td>1993 Western Conference Semifinals</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 1, San Antonio Spurs 3</td></tr><tr><td>1998 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 3, San Antonio Spurs 1</td></tr><tr><td>2000 Western Conference First Round</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td></tr><tr><td>Phoenix Suns 2, San Antonio Spurs 4</td></tr><tr><td>2003 Western Conference First Round</td></tr></tbody></table>
NBA Finals: (W2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) Detroit Pistons
2005 NBA playoffs
All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)
<table><thead><tr><th>Tied 1–1 in the regular-season series</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>December 3, 2004</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>Detroit Pistons 77, San Antonio Spurs 80</td></tr><tr><td>SBC Center, San Antonio</td></tr><tr><td>March 20, 2005</td></tr><tr><td>Recap</td></tr><tr><td>San Antonio Spurs 101, Detroit Pistons 110</td></tr><tr><td>The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was the first playoff meeting between the Pistons and the Spurs.
• Robert Horry hit the game-winning shot with 5.9 seconds left in Game 5.
The Finals were broadcast in the United States on ABC and in Canada on TSN. For a list of international broadcasters see the NBA international TV site. Jennifer Lopez's "Get Right" music video became the anthem song for the playoffs and the conclusion song at the end of the regular season.
Statistical leaders
2005 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>Steve Nash</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>48</td><td>Allen Iverson</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>31.2</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Rebounds</td><td>Jeff Foster</td><td>Indiana Pacers</td><td>20</td><td>Samuel Dalembert</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>12.8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Assists</td><td>Steve Nash</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>17</td><td>Steve Nash</td><td>Phoenix Suns</td><td>11.3</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Steals</td><td>Gilbert Arenas</td><td>Washington Wizards</td><td>6</td><td>Andre Iguodala</td><td>Philadelphia 76ers</td><td>2.8</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Blocks</td><td>Ben Wallace</td><td>Detroit Pistons</td><td>7</td><td>Marcus Camby</td><td>Denver Nuggets</td><td>3.2</td><td>5</td></tr></tbody></table>