# Celtics–Pistons rivalry

The Celtics–Pistons rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons. The two teams played each other in the NBA playoffs five times from 1985 to 1991, with Boston winning in 1985 and 1987, and Detroit winning en route to three consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 1988 to 1990. The rivalry peaked in the late 1980s, featuring players such as Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer.

## History
### Pre-1980s

Between 1948 and 1978, the Celtics and Pistons were on opposite divisions/conferences in all but three seasons. The Pistons found success in the early 1950s behind George Yardley, making two NBA Finals appearances, while the Celtics soon built a dynasty behind Bill Russell, winning 11 championships between 1957 and 1969.
The Pistons and Celtics first opposed each other in postseason play in 1968, with the Celtics emerging victorious in six games of the Eastern Division Semifinals. However, the Pistons were generally mediocre for a majority of the 1960s and 1970s, despite the presence of stars such as Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing and Bob Lanier. Meanwhile, the Celtics continued to rack up championships with Russell, John Havlicek and Dave Cowens leading the way.

### Bird and Isiah

In the 1978 NBA draft, the Celtics drafted Larry Bird who would soon resurrect the franchise's fortunes. Then in the 1981 NBA draft, the Pistons picked Isiah Thomas and along with head coach Chuck Daly he would also play a key role in his team's reemergence.
It was also in 1978 that the Pistons moved to the Eastern Conference, turning their matchups against the Celtics into an intra-conference affair. The Celtics would win three NBA championships in the 1980s, while the Pistons gradually built a team that eventually became the Bad Boys.
The two teams met in the 1985 Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the Celtics ousted the younger Pistons in six games. But when they reengaged in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons were a vastly different team. The Bad Boys, as Detroit became known, used physical play to intimidate their way to victory. This roused the ire of Boston's players and fans, and the teams' mutual hatred of each other often led to on-court fighting. Detroit's biggest antagonists were Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn and Dennis Rodman. In Game 3, Bird and Laimbeer were ejected for fighting as the Pistons won 122–104.
The most famous moment of the rivalry occurred during Game 5. Leading 107–106 with 5 seconds left, and Detroit threatening to take a 3–2 series lead, Isiah Thomas had his inbounds pass stolen by Bird, who dished it off to Dennis Johnson for the winning layup. With Parish forced to sit out Game 6 due to a suspension for punching Laimbeer in the second quarter of Game 5 (the first for a playoff game in NBA history; he also re-sprained his right ankle late in Game 5), the Pistons won Game 6 113–105 to send it back to Boston for Game 7. The Celtics ended the bitter series with a 117–114 win in Boston Garden over Detroit.
The Celtics and Pistons faced off anew in the 1988 Eastern Conference Finals. This time the Pistons finally unseated the Celtics, winning the series 4–2 and advancing to the NBA Finals to face the Lakers. What was notable was that Detroit, who entered the series with 21 straight losses at the Boston Garden, beat Boston by winning 2 of 3 there (Games 1 and 5). In Game 5, the Celtics led by 16 before the Pistons rallied to win 102–96 in OT. In addition, their rough play and intense defense made Bird's scoring drop to just 10 points per game on 35.1% shooting, forcing Boston to rely on McHale.
The teams met twice more in the Bird/Thomas era. In the 1989 First Round, Detroit swept Boston 3–0 en route to their first championship, as the Celtics missed the services of Bird due to injury. Then in the 1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Pistons eliminated the Celtics in six games, but it proved to be the last hurrah for the two aging squads.

### Later years

Both teams a period of rebuilding during the 1990s. Although the Pistons found a new star in Grant Hill, he was unable to lead the team back to championship contention. Meanwhile, the Celtics endured a long dry spell, not reaching the playoffs for much of the decade.
The 2000s saw both teams reemerge as contenders. In 2002, the Celtics and Pistons met again in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Boston was led by Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, while Detroit was led by Jerry Stackhouse and Ben Wallace. Though Detroit had a better regular season record, the Celtics surprisingly eliminated them in five games, reaching their first Conference Finals since 1988. However, the Pistons would go on to dominate the Eastern Conference, reaching six consecutive Conference Finals, two NBA Finals and winning the 2004 championship. One of the Pistons' key players during that era was Chauncey Billups, who the Celtics drafted third overall in the 1997 NBA draft but would later emerge as a star in Detroit. Meanwhile, the Celtics slid back to mediocrity, but was given a new lease in life during the 2007 offseason.
After acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Celtics and Pistons renewed the rivalry as they met in the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals. However, the grind of reaching six straight conference finals took its toll on Detroit as Boston toppled their rivals in six games, eventually winning the championship that year.
The 2010s saw both teams head into opposite directions. Detroit endured a lengthy rebuild with only two playoff appearances, while Boston maintained its status as a playoff contender behind new stars such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker. During the 2023–24 season, the Celtics staged a remarkable 21-point comeback against the Pistons, securing an overtime win to extend Detroit's losing streak to 28, which is the longest single-season losing streak and tied for the longest losing streak overall in NBA history.

## Season-by-season results

Boston Celtics vs. Fort Wayne Pistons/Detroit Pistons Season-by-Season Results :
1940s (Celtics, 6–5)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Fort Wayne Pistonsat Neutral SiteOverall seriesNotes
1948–49
Celtics
4–1
Celtics, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 4–1
Neutral site game was played at Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois. Pistons join the Basketball Association of America (BAA) from the National Basketball League (NBL) and are placed in the Western Division.
1949–50
Pistons
4–2
Celtics, 2–1
Pistons, 3–0
Celtics, 6–5
Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League merge to become the National Basketball Association (NBA). Pistons briefly join the Central Division. :
1950s (Celtics, 55–25)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Fort Wayne Pistons/Detroit Pistonsat Neutral SiteOverall seriesNotes
1950–51
Celtics
5–1
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 11–6
Pistons move back to the Western Division. Bob Cousy makes his debut for the Celtics.
1951–52
Tie
3–3
Celtics, 2–1
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 14–9
1952–53
Celtics
4–2
Celtics, 2–0
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 18–11
Neutral site game was played at Madison Square Garden (III), New York, New York.
1953–54
Tie
4–4
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 4–0
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 22–15
Neutral site game was played at Madison Square Garden (III).
1954–55
Pistons
5–4
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 3–1
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 26–20
Neutral site games were played at
Curry Hicks Cage, Amherst, Massachusetts
Madison Square Garden (III)
Pistons finish with the best record in the league (tied with the Syracuse Nationals) (43–29). Pistons lose 1955 NBA Finals.
1955–56
Pistons
5–4
Celtics, 2–1
Pistons, 2–0
Tie, 2–2
Celtics, 30–25
Neutral site games were played at
Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina
Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Madison Square Garden (III)
Pistons lose 1956 NBA Finals.
1956–57
Celtics
6–3
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 36–28
Neutral site games were played at
Madison Square Garden (III)
Philadelphia Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Last season Pistons played as a Fort Wayne-based team. Bill Russell makes his debut for the Celtics. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (44–28). Celtics win 1957 NBA Finals.
1957–58
Celtics
8–1
Pistons, 3–1
Celtics, 4–0
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 44–29
Neutral site game was played at Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (49–23). Celtics lose 1958 NBA Finals.
1958–59
Celtics
8–1
Celtics, 4–0
Celtics, 3–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 52–30
Neutral site game was played at Kiel Auditorium. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (52–20). Celtics win 1959 NBA Finals.
1959–60
Celtics
9–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 4–0
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 61–30
Neutral site games were played at
Kiel Auditorium
Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Auditorium
Celtics sweep Pistons for the first time. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (59–16). Celtics win 1960 NBA Finals. :
1960s (Celtics, 69–21)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit Pistonsat Neutral siteOverall seriesNotes
1960–61
Celtics
8–2
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 3–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 69–32
Neutral site games were played at
Madison Square Garden (III)
Kiel Auditorium
Onondaga War Memorial, Syracuse, New York
Celtics win 17 in a row against the Pistons (1958-1960). Celtics finish with the best record in the league (57–22). Celtics win 1961 NBA Finals.
1961–62
Celtics
5–3
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 74–35
Neutral site games were played at
Convention Hall, Philadelphia
Madison Square Garden (III)
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (60–20). Celtics win 1962 NBA Finals.
1962–63
Celtics
8–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 4–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 82–35
Neutral site games were played at
Madison Square Garden (III)
Rhode Island Auditorium
John Havlicek makes his debut for the Celtics. Final season for Bob Cousy as a Celtics player. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (58–22). Celtics win 1963 NBA Finals.
1963–64
Celtics
7–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 89–36
Neutral site games were played at
Madison Square Garden (III)
Rhode Island Auditorium
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (59–21). Celtics win 1964 NBA Finals.
1964–65
Celtics
10–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 4–0
Celtics, 4–0
Celtics, 99–36
Neutral site games were played at:
Convention Hall, Philadelphia
Madison Square Garden (III)
War Memorial Coliseum, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Rhode Island Auditorium
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (62–18). Celtics win 1965 NBA Finals.
1965–66
Celtics
6–4
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 2–2
Celtics, 3–1
Celtics, 105–40
Neutral site games were played at:
Rhode Island Auditorium
Convention Hall, Philadelphia
War Memorial Coliseum
Madison Square Garden (III)
Celtics record their 100th win over the Pistons. Celtics win 1966 NBA Finals.
1966–67
Celtics
6–3
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 3–1
Celtics, 111–43
Neutral site games were played at
Convention Hall, Philadelphia
Madison Square Garden (III)
Convention Hall, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Rhode Island Auditorium
Bill Russell becomes the player-coach for the Celtics.
1967–68
Celtics
6–2
Celtics, 3–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 117–45
Pistons move to the Eastern Division, resulting in the rivalry becoming an inter-divisional one.
1968 Eastern Division Semifinals
Celtics
4–2
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 121–47
1st NBA playoff meeting. Celtics go on to win 1968 NBA Finals.
1968–69
Celtics
5–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 126–48
Celtics win 1969 NBA Finals. Final season for Bill Russell.
1969–70
Celtics
4–3
Celtics, 2–1
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 130–51
Neutral site game was played at Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio. Pistons finish with a winning record at home for the first time since 1956-57. :
1970s (Celtics, 31–13)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit Pistonsat Neutral SiteOverall seriesNotes
1970–71
Pistons
3–2
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 132–54
Celtics are placed in the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division. Pistons are placed in the Western Conference and the Midwest Division. Pistons finish with a winning record in Boston for the first time, and win the season series for the first time since 1955-56
1971–72
Celtics
5–0
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 137–54
1972–73
Celtics
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 140–55
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (68–14).
1973–74
Celtics
3–1
Celtics, 1–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 143–56
Neutral site game was played at Providence Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island. Last season the rivalry is played at a neutral site. Celtics win 1974 NBA Finals.
1974–75
Celtics
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 146–57
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (60–22).
1975–76
Celtics
4–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 150–57
Celtics win the 1976 NBA Finals.
1976–77
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 152–59
1977–78
Pistons
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 153–62
Final season for John Havlicek.
1978–79
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 155–64
Pistons move from the Midwest Division in the Western Conference to the Central Division in the Eastern Conference resulting in the rivalry being interdivisional.
1979–80
Celtics
6–0
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 161–64
Larry Bird makes his debut for the Celtics. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (61–21). :
1980s (Celtics, 44–31)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit PistonsOverall seriesNotes
1980–81
Celtics
4–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 165–65
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (62–20). Celtics win 1981 NBA Finals.
1981–82
Celtics
6–0
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 3–0
Celtics, 171–65
Isiah Thomas makes his debut for the Pistons. Celtics finish with the best record in the league (63–19).
1982–83
Tie
3–3
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 174–68
1983–84
Celtics
4–2
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 178–70
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (62–20). Celtics win 1984 NBA Finals.
1984–85
Celtics
4–2
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 182–72
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (63–19).
1985 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Celtics
4–2
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 186–74
2nd NBA playoff meeting. Celtics would go on to lose 1985 NBA Finals.
1985–86
Celtics
4–1
Celtics, 3–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 190–75
Celtics finish with the best record in the league (67–15). Celtics win 1986 NBA Finals.
1986–87
Celtics
3–2
Celtics, 2–0
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 193–77
1987 Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics
4–3
Celtics, 4–0
Pistons, 3–0
Celtics, 197–80
3rd NBA playoff meeting. Celtics would go on to lose 1987 NBA Finals.
1987–88
Tie
3–3
Celtics, 3–0
Pistons, 3–0
Celtics, 200–83
Celtics record their 200th win over the Pistons. Last season Pistons play in the Pontiac Silverdome.
1988 Eastern Conference Finals
Pistons
4–2
Pistons, 2–1
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 202–87
4th NBA playoff meeting. Pistons would go on to lose 1988 NBA Finals.
1988–89
Pistons
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 203–90
Pistons open up The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons finish with the best record in the league (63–19).
1989 Eastern Conference First Round
Pistons
3–0
Pistons, 1–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 203–93
5th NBA playoff meeting. First and only sweep in the rivalry. Pistons would go on to win 1989 NBA Finals.
1989–90
Tie
2–2
Celtics, 2–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 205–95
Pistons win 1990 NBA Finals. :
1990s (Pistons, 24–19)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit PistonsOverall seriesNotes
1990–91
Tie
2–2
Celtics, 2–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 207–97
1991 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Pistons
4–2
Pistons, 2–1
Pistons, 2–1
Celtics, 209–101
6th NBA playoff meeting. Pistons record their 100th win over the Celtics.
1991–92
Celtics
4–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 213–101
Final season for Larry Bird.
1992–93
Pistons
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 214–104
1993–94
Celtics
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 217–105
Final season for Isiah Thomas.
1994–95
Celtics
3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 220–106
Final season Celtics played at Boston Garden.
1995–96
Celtics
2–1
Celtics, 2–0
Pistons, 1–0
Celtics, 222–107
Celtics open up Fleet Center (now known as TD Garden).
1996–97
Pistons
4–0
Pistons, 2–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 222–111
Pistons record their first regular season sweep of the Celtics.
1997–98
Tie
1–1
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 224–113
Paul Pierce makes his debut for the Celtics.
1998–99
Pistons
3–0
Pistons, 2–0
Pistons, 1–0
Celtics, 224–116
1999–2000
Pistons
3–0
Pistons, 1–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 224–119 :
2000s (Pistons, 24–23)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit PistonsOverall seriesNotes
2000–01
Celtics
3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 227–120
2001–02
Tie
2–2
Celtics, 2–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 229–122
2002 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Celtics
4–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 233–123
7th NBA playoff meeting.
2002–03
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 235–125
2003–04
Pistons
3–0
Pistons, 2–0
Pistons, 1–0
Celtics, 235–128
Pistons win 2004 NBA Finals.
2004–05
Pistons
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 236–131
Pistons lose 2005 NBA Finals.
2005–06
Pistons
3–0
Pistons, 1–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 236–134
Pistons finish with the best record in the league (64–18).
2006–07
Pistons
4–0
Pistons, 2–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 236–138
2007–08
Celtics
2–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 238–139
Pistons win 9 in a row against the Celtics (2005-2008). Celtics finish with the best record in the league (66–16).
2008 Eastern Conference Finals
Celtics
4–2
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 2–1
Celtics, 242–141
8th NBA playoff meeting. Celtics would go on to win 2008 NBA Finals.
2008–09
Celtics
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 245–142
2009–10
Celtics
2–1
Celtics, 1–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 247–143
Celtics lose 2010 NBA Finals. :
2010s (Celtics, 19–15)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit PistonsOverall seriesNotes
2010–11
Celtics
3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 250–144
2011–12
Pistons
2–1
Tie, 1–1
Pistons, 1–0
Celtics, 251–146
2012–13
Pistons
2–1
Celtics, 1–0
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 252–148
2013–14
Pistons
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Pistons, 2–0
Celtics, 253–151
2014–15
Celtics
2–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 255–152
2015–16
Tie
2–2
Tie, 1–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 257–154
2016–17
Celtics
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 260–155
Jaylen Brown makes his debut for the Celtics.
2017–18
Celtics
2–1
Pistons, 1–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 262–156
Jayson Tatum makes his debut for the Celtics.
2018–19
Celtics
3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 265–157
2019–20
Tie
1–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 266–158
League shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic. :
2020s (Celtics, 14–4)
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Detroit PistonsOverall seriesNotes
2020–21
Pistons
2–1
Pistons, 1–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 267–160
2021–22
Celtics
3–1
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 270–161
Celtics lose 2022 NBA Finals.
2022–23
Celtics
4–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 274–161
2023–24
Celtics
3–0
Celtics, 2–0
Celtics, 1–0
Celtics, 277–161
Celtics win their first Maurice Podoloff Trophy (64–18). Celtics win 2024 NBA Finals.
2024–25
Celtics
3–1
Celtics, 2–0
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 280–162 :
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Boston Celticsat Fort Wayne Pistons/Detroit Pistonsat Neutral SiteNotes
Regular season games
Celtics
256–140
Celtics, 124–47
Celtics, 100–85
Celtics, 32–8
Postseason games
Celtics
24–21
Celtics, 15–7
Pistons, 14–9
Postseason series
Celtics
5–3
Tie, 1–1
Celtics, 4–2
Eastern Conference Finals: 1987, 1988, 2008 Eastern Division Semifinals: 1968 Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1985, 1991, 2002 Eastern Conference First Round: 1989
Regular and postseason
Celtics
280–161
Celtics, 139–54
Celtics, 109–99
Celtics, 32–8
There were 40 total Neutral site games played. :

## Individual Records
### Top Scorers (Regular Season)

| Rank | Player | Team | Points | GP | PPG |
| 1 | John Havlicek | Celtics | 1,982 | 93 | 21.3 |
| 2 | Bob Cousy | Celtics | 1,866 | 102 | 18.3 |
| 3 | Sam Jones | Celtics | 1,599 | 93 | 17.2 |
| 4 | Bill Russell | Celtics | 1,568 | 95 | 14.9 |
| 5 | Tom Heinsohn | Celtics | 1,434 | 75 | 19.1 |
| 6 | Bill Sharman | Celtics | 1,420 | 77 | 18.4 |
| 7 | Larry Bird | Celtics | 1,331 | 53 | 25.1 |
| 8 | Isiah Thomas | Pistons | 1,325 | 59 | 22.5 |
| 9 | Kevin McHale | Celtics | 1,318 | 63 | 20.9 |
| 10 | Dave Bing | Pistons | 1,146 | 50 | 22.9 |

### Per Game (Regular Season, min. 20 GP)

* Larry Bird (BOS) – 25.1 (53 GP)
* Jayson Tatum (BOS) – 24.3 (20 GP)
* Bob Lanier (DET) – 23.8 (35 GP)
* Dave Bing (DET) – 22.9 (50 GP)
* Isiah Thomas (DET) – 22.5 (59 GP)

### Top Scorers (NBA Playoffs)

| Rank | Player | Team | Points | GP | PPG |
| 1 | Kevin McHale | Celtics | 603 | 28 | 21.5 |
| 2 | Larry Bird | Celtics | 545 | 24 | 22.7 |
| 3 | Isiah Thomas | Pistons | 523 | 26 | 20.1 |
| 4 | Vinnie Johnson | Pistons | 413 | 28 | 14.8 |
| 5 | Robert Parish | Celtics | 390 | 26 | 15.0 |
| 6 | Bill Laimbeer | Pistons | 356 | 28 | 12.7 |
| 7 | Dennis Johnson | Celtics | 305 | 22 | 13.9 |
| 8 | Adrian Dantley | Pistons | 267 | 13 | 20.5 |
| 9 | Paul Pierce | Celtics | 219 | 11 | 19.9 |
| 10 | Reggie Lewis | Celtics | 205 | 13 | 15.8 |

### Per Game (Playoffs)

* Dave Bing (DET) – 28.2 (6 GP)
* John Havlicek (BOS) – 24.8 (6 GP)
* Kevin Garnett (BOS) – 22.8 (6 GP)
* Larry Bird (BOS) – 22.7 (24 GP)
* Richard Hamilton (DET) – 22.0 (6 GP)