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Pistons crush Lakers to take NBA title
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-06-16 13:50
Without a superstar among them and without being given much of a chance, the
Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 Tuesday night to capture
their first NBA title in 15 years.
Detroit
Pistons Corliss Williamson (R) is doused with champagne by former
Pistons player John Salley in the locker room after the Pistons
defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 to win the NBA Championship
at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 15, 2004. The Pistons
defeated the Lakers in five games.
[Reuters] | |
Detroit
Pistons Rasheed Wallace holds up a championship sign after Game 5 of
the NBA Finals at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan June 15,
2004. [Reuters] | | The
Pistons were at their very best in the Game 5 clincher, defeating the Lakers in
every facet of the game. It was both methodical and shocking the way they pulled
ahead and pulled away for one of the biggest surprises in NBA finals history.
Ben Wallace scored 18 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in helping Detroit
become the first Eastern Conference team to win the title since the Michael
Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1998.
The game was so lopsided that Lakers owner Jerry Buss headed for the exit
before the third quarter was over. By the time the last time-out rolled around,
fans were already being urged to keep their celebrations under control.
As the final buzzer sounded and confetti began dropping, Pistons coach Larry
Brown received an affectionate handshake and smile at midcourt from Lakers coach
Phil Jackson and a hug from Kobe Bryant.
The game steadily got away from the Lakers from the second quarter on,
unraveling completely over the latter part of the third quarter, which ended
with Detroit ahead by 23 and the Lakers shuffling off the court a thoroughly
defeated team.
Many fans at The Palace stood through the final several minutes, savoring
every moment they had waited for since Detroit's "Bad Boys" teams of 1989 and
'90 won back-to-back titles.
Detroit Pistons
Rasheed Wallace leans in to kiss the Larry O'Brien trophy after the
Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 to win the NBA Finals in
five games at the Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 15, 2004.
[Reuters]
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Detroit Pistons Richard Hamilton
holds the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles
Lakers 100-87 to win the NBA Finals in five games at the Palace in Auburn
Hills, Michigan, June 15, 2004. [Reuters]
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Los Angeles
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant wipes his face during second half action against
the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at the Palace in Auburn
Hills, Michigan, June 15, 2004. [Reuters]
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Detroit Pistons
guard Richard Hamilton (32) dunks on the Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek
Fisher (2) during first half action in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Auburn
Hills, Michigan, June 15, 2004. Pistons guard Lindsey Wallace (10) is seen
in the background. [Reuters]
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Detroit Pistons
guard Richard Hamilton (R) keeps the ball away from Los Angeles Lakers
Gary Payton during first half action in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at the
Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 15, 2004.
[Reuters] |
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