1992 NBA East Round1 Game 5 Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks, May 3, 1992, End of the Bad Boys Era

DET 87, NYK 94 - In Game 5 of the 1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round, the Detroit Pistons faced the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, with the Knicks prevailing 94-87 to win the series. The Pistons fought hard, particularly behind the stellar performance of Isiah Thomas, who scored 31 points and carried the team by scoring their last 19 points in a heroic effort. Despite this, Detroit was ultimately outmatched by New York's relentless defense and dominance on the offensive boards. The loss symbolized the end of an era for the Pistons, who had been known for their tough, physical style that led them to championships in 1989 and 1990.

Player of the game: Patrick Ewing: 31 PTS, 11-28 FGM, 39 FG%, 9-11 FTM, 19 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK, 1 TOV, GMSC 26.1

The standout player of the game was Knicks’ center Patrick Ewing, who finished with 31 points on 39% shooting, 19 rebounds, and three blocks. Ewing’s ability to control the paint on both ends was crucial, and his timely baskets in the fourth quarter helped New York pull away when Detroit was threatening. Supported by Xavier McDaniel’s strong third-quarter surge and Gerald Wilkins' key plays in the second half, the Knicks' depth and grit proved too much for the Pistons to overcome.

Coach Chuck Daly, who may have coached his final game with Detroit, acknowledged the difficulty of winning on the road in a Game 5 without home-court advantage. With this victory, the Knicks advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they would face the defending champion Chicago Bulls. Their win was a testament to the team’s balanced contributions and defensive intensity, qualities they will need to challenge the Bulls. Under Coach Pat Riley, the Knicks showed they could impose their will on opponents, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup in the next round.

[marktorak]

Hard nosed playoff basketball. Great to watch

[plainsimple]

The Thumbnail for this video is from the 1989-90 season. How durst I know? Because the Pistons' road warm-up uniforms changed from white to blue starting in the 1990-91 season.