# 2004–05 San Antonio Spurs season

The 2004–05 season was the Spurs' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, the 32nd in San Antonio, and 38th season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Spurs signed free agent Brent Barry. The Spurs got off to a solid start, winning 16 of their first 20 games, entering the New Year with a 25–6 record. In February 2005, the Spurs traded longtime Spur Malik Rose and two draft choices to the New York Knicks for Jamison Brewer and center Nazr Mohammed. Late in the season, the team signed free agent forward Glenn Robinson. The Spurs finished first place in the Southwest Division, and second in the Western Conference with a 59–23 record. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili were both voted to play in the 2005 NBA All-Star Game, which was hosted in Denver. This was Ginobili's first All-Star appearance.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Spurs lost Game 1 at home to the Denver Nuggets 93–87, but would beat them in five games. In the semifinals, they defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in six games, then upset the top-seeded Phoenix Suns, which featured regular season MVP Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion in five games in the Western Conference Finals. In the Finals, the Spurs would win their third NBA championship, defeating the 2004 NBA champions, the Detroit Pistons, in a seven-game series. Following the season, Glenn Robinson retired.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 28 | Beno Udrih | G | Slovenia | |
| 2 | 52 | Romain Sato | G/F | Central African Republic | Xavier |
| 2 | 57 | Sergei Karaulov | C | Russia | |

## Regular season
### Overview

After their disappointing second round collapse to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Spurs looked to regain the NBA crown. They would get off to a quick start, posting a 12–3 record in November. The Spurs would stay hot through December as they established a 25–6 record entering the New Year. The Spurs would be near the top in the Western Conference all season battling the Phoenix Suns for the best record in the NBA. Just as it appeared the Spurs would cruise toward the playoffs, their season suddenly hit a bump in the road when Tim Duncan went down in a March 20 loss to the Detroit Pistons with a sprained ankle. The rest of the way, the Spurs would limp home winning 9 of their last 17 as they held on to the Southwest Division by just 1 game with a 59–23 record. The Spurs leading scorer during the season was Tim Duncan with 20.3 PPG.

### Standings

| Southwest Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-San Antonio Spurs | 59 | 23 | .720 | – | 38–3 | 21–20 | 10–6 |
| x-Dallas Mavericks | 58 | 24 | .707 | 1 | 29–12 | 29–12 | 11–5 |
| x-Houston Rockets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 8 | 26–15 | 25–16 | 10–6 |
| x-Memphis Grizzlies | 45 | 37 | .549 | 14 | 26–15 | 19–22 | 7–9 |
| New Orleans Hornets | 18 | 64 | .220 | 41 | 11–30 | 7–34 | 2–14 |
| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Phoenix Suns | 62 | 20 | .756 | — |
| 2 | y-San Antonio Spurs | 59 | 23 | .720 | 3 |
| 3 | y-Seattle SuperSonics | 52 | 30 | .634 | 10 |
| 4 | x-Dallas Mavericks | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 |
| 5 | x-Houston Rockets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 11 |
| 6 | x-Sacramento Kings | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 |
| 7 | x-Denver Nuggets | 49 | 33 | .598 | 13 |
| 8 | x-Memphis Grizzlies | 45 | 37 | .549 | 17 |
| 9 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 44 | 38 | .537 | 18 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Clippers | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 |
| 11 | Los Angeles Lakers | 34 | 48 | .415 | 28 |
| 12 | Golden State Warriors | 34 | 48 | .415 | 28 |
| 13 | Portland Trail Blazers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 35 |
| 14 | Utah Jazz | 26 | 56 | .317 | 36 |
| 15 | New Orleans Hornets | 18 | 64 | .220 | 44 |

### Record vs. opponents

2004-05 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 |
| Boston | 3–1 | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Charlotte | 3–1 | 0–4 | — | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 |
| Chicago | 4–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 |
| Cleveland | 4–0 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 |
| Dallas | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 |
| Denver | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Golden State | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | — | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | — | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 3–0 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–3 | 2–0 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Memphis | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 0–2 |
| Miami | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Milwaukee | 2–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | — | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Minnesota | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 3–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| New Orleans | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| New York | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | — | 1–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| Orlando | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Philadelphia | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | — | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
| Sacramento | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 |
| San Antonio | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
| Toronto | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Utah | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 |
| Washington | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | — |

### Game log
#### November

Record: 12–3; Home: 6–0; Road: 6–3
* Green background indicates win.
* Red background indicates loss.
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Leading scorer | Record |
| 1 | 3 November 2004 | Kings | 101-85 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (30) | 1–0 |
| 2 | 5 November 2004 | Spurs | 105–96 | Lakers | NA | Tim Duncan (26) | 2–0 |
| 3 | 7 November 2004 | Spurs | 94–113 | SuperSonics | NA | Two-way tie (21) | 2–1 |
| 4 | 10 November 2004 | Warriors | 91-71 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (23) | 3–1 |
| 5 | 12 November 2004 | Heat | 93-84 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (29) | 4–1 |
| 6 | 13 November 2004 | Spurs | 103–88 | Hawks | NA | Tim Duncan (26) | 5–1 |
| 7 | 16 November 2004 | Knicks | 99-81 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (18) | 6–1 |
| 8 | 18 November 2004 | Spurs | 88–80 | 76ers | NA | Tim Duncan (34) | 7–1 |
| 9 | 19 November 2004 | Spurs | 92–84 | Celtics | NA | Tim Duncan (26) | 8–1 |
| 10 | 21 November 2004 | Spurs | 91–96 | Raptors | NA | Tim Duncan (26) | 8–2 |
| 11 | 22 November 2004 | Spurs | 90–93 | Grizzlies | NA | Tim Duncan (26) | 8–3 |
| 12 | 24 November 2004 | Mavericks | 94-80 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (27) | 9–3 |
| 13 | 26 November 2004 | Spurs | 89–75 | Nuggets | NA | Tim Duncan (23) | 10–3 |
| 14 | 27 November 2004 | Jazz | 109-76 | Spurs | NA | Malik Rose (16) | 11–3 |
| 15 | 30 November 2004 | Spurs | 107–89 | Mavericks | NA | Tim Duncan (20) | 12–3 |

#### December

Record: 13–3; Home: 8–1; Road: 5–2
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Leading scorer | Record |
| 16 | 1 December 2004 | 76ers | 105-72 | Spurs | NA | Two-way tie (24) | 13–3 |
| 17 | 3 December 2004 | Pistons | 80-77 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (20) | 14–3 |
| 18 | 4 December 2004 | Spurs | 104–83 | Bucks | NA | Tim Duncan (20) | 15–3 |
| 19 | 6 December 2004 | Spurs | 91–75 | Bulls | NA | Tony Parker (17) | 16–3 |
| 20 | 8 December 2004 | SuperSonics | 96-102 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (39) | 16–4 |
| 21 | 9 December 2004 | Spurs | 80–81 | Rockets | NA | Tim Duncan (26) | 16–5 |
| 22 | 11 December 2004 | Cavaliers | 116-97 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (34) | 17–5 |
| 23 | 15 December 2004 | Magic | 94-91 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (24) | 18–5 |
| 24 | 17 December 2004 | Spurs | 83–67 | Hornets | NA | Tim Duncan (19) | 19–5 |
| 25 | 18 December 2004 | Warriors | 104-85 | Spurs | NA | Two-way tie (21) | 20–5 |
| 26 | 22 December 2004 | Spurs | 87–93 | Magic | NA | Tim Duncan (24) | 20–6 |
| 27 | 23 December 2004 | Timberwolves | 94-82 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (22) | 21–6 |
| 28 | 26 December 2004 | Celtics | 107-90 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (27) | 22–6 |
| 29 | 28 December 2004 | Suns | 115-94 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (29) | 23–6 |
| 30 | 30 December 2004 | Spurs | 114–80 | Trail Blazers | NA | Tim Duncan (19) | 24–6 |
| 31 | 31 December 2004 | Spurs | 98–79 | Clippers | NA | Tim Duncan (23) | 25–6 |

#### January

Record: 12–4; Home: 9–0; Road: 3–4
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Leading scorer | Record |
| 32 | 2 January 2005 | Spurs | 81–86 | Kings | NA | Manu Ginóbili (18) | 25–7 |
| 33 | 4 January 2005 | Lakers | 100-83 | Spurs | NA | Bruce Bowen (24) | 26–7 |
| 34 | 6 January 2005 | Pacers | 111-98 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (27) | 27–7 |
| 35 | 8 January 2005 | Nuggets | 99-90 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (22) | 28–7 |
| 36 | 10 January 2005 | Spurs | 96–97 | Jazz | NA | Tim Duncan (24) | 28–8 |
| 37 | 12 January 2005 | Bucks | 94-79 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (21) | 29–8 |
| 38 | 14 January 2005 | Mavericks | 98-95 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (25) | 30–8 |
| 39 | 15 January 2005 | Spurs | 67–73 | Rockets | NA | Tony Parker (21) | 30–9 |
| 40 | 17 January 2005 | Wizards | 101-73 | Spurs | NA | Devin Brown (24) | 31–9 |
| 41 | 19 January 2005 | Clippers | 80-79 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (25) | 32–9 |
| 42 | 21 January 2005 | Spurs | 128–123 | Suns | 1 | Manu Ginóbili (48) | 33–9 |
| 43 | 23 January 2005 | Spurs | 103–73 | Kings | NA | Tim Duncan (23) | 34–9 |
| 44 | 24 January 2005 | Spurs | 99–107 | Trail Blazers | NA | Tim Duncan (24) | 34–10 |
| 45 | 27 January 2005 | Kings | 90-80 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (25) | 35–10 |
| 46 | 29 January 2005 | Hornets | 93-83 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (23) | 36–10 |
| 47 | 31 January 2005 | Spurs | 103–84 | SuperSonics | NA | Manu Ginóbili (23) | 37–10 |

#### February

Record: 6–3; Home: 1–1; Road: 5–2
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Leading scorer | Record |
| 48 | 2 February 2005 | Spurs | 103–91 | Lakers | NA | Tony Parker (22) | 38–10 |
| 49 | 8 February 2005 | Spurs | 104–85 | Bobcats | NA | Tony Parker (20) | 39–10 |
| 50 | 9 February 2005 | Spurs | 87–95 | Wizards | NA | Tony Parker (22) | 39–11 |
| 51 | 11 February 2005 | Spurs | 101–91 | Nets | NA | Tony Parker (27) | 40–11 |
| 52 | 13 February 2005 | Spurs | 92–96 | Heat | NA | Manu Ginóbili (24) | 40–12 |
| 53 | 16 February 2005 | Spurs | 101–78 | Hornets | NA | Tim Duncan (19) | 41–12 |
| All-Star Break ||||||||
| 54 | 23 February 2005 | Rockets | 99-81 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (30) | 42–12 |
| 55 | 26 February 2005 | Grizzlies | 82-84 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (27) | 42–13 |
| 56 | 28 February 2005 | Spurs | 94–92 | Cavaliers | NA | Tim Duncan (20) | 43–13 |

#### March

Record: 10–5; Home: 10–1; Road: 0–4
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Leading scorer | Record |
| 57 | 2 March 2005 | Raptors | 92-86 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (17) | 44–13 |
| 58 | 4 March 2005 | Bulls | 102-99 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (31) | 45–13 |
| 59 | 6 March 2005 | Jazz | 101-94 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (31) | 46–13 |
| 60 | 8 March 2005 | Nets | 90-74 | Spurs | NA | Devin Brown (22) | 47–13 |
| 61 | 9 March 2005 | Spurs | 101–107 | Suns | NA | Tony Parker (30) | 47–14 |
| 62 | 12 March 2005 | Nuggets | 87-90 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (25) | 47–15 |
| 63 | 14 March 2005 | Hornets | 112-89 | Spurs | NA | Beno Udrih (25) | 48–15 |
| 64 | 16 March 2005 | Timberwolves | 89-73 | Spurs | NA | Tim Duncan (25) | 49–15 |
| 65 | 18 March 2005 | Bobcats | 93-76 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (24) | 50–15 |
| 66 | 20 March 2005 | Spurs | 101–110 | Pistons | NA | Devin Brown (18) | 50–16 |
| 67 | 21 March 2005 | Spurs | 75–88 | Knicks | NA | Devin Brown (22) | 50–17 |
| 68 | 23 March 2005 | Spurs | 93–100 | Pacers | NA | Brent Barry (17) | 50–18 |
| 69 | 25 March 2005 | Hawks | 111-95 | Spurs | NA | Two-way tie (23) | 51–18 |
| 70 | 27 March 2005 | Rockets | 83-70 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (18) | 52–18 |
| 71 | 30 March 2005 | SuperSonics | 89-76 | Spurs | NA | Tony Parker (28) | 53–18 |

#### April

Record: 6–5; Home: 4–0; Road: 2–5
| # | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Leading scorer | Record |
| 72 | 1 April 2005 | Spurs | 84–102 | Nuggets | NA | Tony Parker (17) | 53–19 |
| 73 | 2 April 2005 | Lakers | 95-94 | Spurs | NA | Brent Barry (20) | 54–19 |
| 74 | 6 April 2005 | Clippers | 91-82 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (16) | 55–19 |
| 75 | 7 April 2005 | Spurs | 68–104 | Mavericks | NA | Brent Barry (12) | 55–20 |
| 76 | 9 April 2005 | Spurs | 125–124 | Clippers | 2 | Manu Ginóbili (40) | 56–20 |
| 77 | 10 April 2005 | Spurs | 136–134 | Warriors | 2 | Tony Parker (35) | 57–20 |
| 78 | 12 April 2005 | Trail Blazers | 95-89 | Spurs | NA | Manu Ginóbili (30) | 58–20 |
| 79 | 13 April 2005 | Spurs | 91–93 | Jazz | NA | Manu Ginóbili (21) | 58–21 |
| 80 | 16 April 2005 | Grizzlies | 97-75 | Spurs | NA | Bruce Bowen (15) | 59–21 |
| 81 | 18 April 2005 | Spurs | 92–94 | Grizzlies | NA | Glenn Robinson (23) | 59–22 |
| 82 | 20 April 2005 | Spurs | 73–95 | Timberwolves | NA | Glenn Robinson (16) | 59–23 |

## Player statistics
### Regular season

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Bruce Bowen | SF | 82 | 82 | 2,627 | 285 | 126 | 55 | 39 | 675 | 32.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | .7 | .5 | 8.2 |
| Brent Barry | SG | 81 | 8 | 1,742 | 190 | 178 | 39 | 20 | 601 | 21.5 | 2.3 | 2.2 | .5 | .2 | 7.4 |
| Tony Parker | PG | 80 | 80 | 2,735 | 298 | 491 | 98 | 4 | 1,331 | 34.2 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 1.2 | .1 | 16.6 |
| Beno Udrih | PG | 80 | 2 | 1,149 | 83 | 150 | 41 | 10 | 471 | 14.4 | 1.0 | 1.9 | .5 | .1 | 5.9 |
| Robert Horry | PF | 75 | 16 | 1,396 | 268 | 80 | 67 | 60 | 451 | 18.6 | 3.6 | 1.1 | .9 | .8 | 6.0 |
| Manu Ginóbili | SG | 74 | 74 | 2,193 | 329 | 288 | 119 | 27 | 1,186 | 29.6 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 1.6 | .4 | 16.0 |
| Rasho Nesterović | C | 70 | 70 | 1,785 | 459 | 71 | 31 | 117 | 410 | 25.5 | 6.6 | 1.0 | .4 | 1.7 | 5.9 |
| Devin Brown | SG | 67 | 0 | 1,238 | 176 | 92 | 39 | 12 | 494 | 18.5 | 2.6 | 1.4 | .6 | .2 | 7.4 |
| Tim Duncan | PF | 66 | 66 | 2,203 | 732 | 179 | 45 | 174 | 1,342 | 33.4 | 11.1 | 2.7 | .7 | 2.6 | 20.3 |
| Tony Massenburg | PF | 61 | 6 | 699 | 163 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 196 | 11.5 | 2.7 | .2 | .3 | .3 | 3.2 |
| Malik Rose$^†$ | PF | 50 | 1 | 862 | 227 | 41 | 31 | 9 | 317 | 17.2 | 4.5 | .8 | .6 | .2 | 6.3 |
| Mike Wilks | PG | 48 | 0 | 278 | 25 | 33 | 14 | 1 | 81 | 5.8 | .5 | .7 | .3 | .0 | 1.7 |
| Nazr Mohammed$^†$ | C | 23 | 5 | 414 | 147 | 8 | 5 | 33 | 142 | 18.0 | 6.4 | .3 | .2 | 1.4 | 6.2 |
| Sean Marks | PF | 23 | 0 | 244 | 56 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 76 | 10.6 | 2.4 | .3 | .1 | .5 | 3.3 |
| Glenn Robinson | SF | 9 | 0 | 157 | 24 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 90 | 17.4 | 2.7 | .9 | .4 | .3 | 10.0 |
| Dion Glover | SG | 7 | 0 | 68 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 9.7 | 1.6 | .6 | .4 | .4 | 3.6 |
| Linton Johnson | SF | 2 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.5 | 1.5 | .0 | .5 | .0 | .0 |
* $^†$ Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Spurs only.

### Playoffs

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Tim Duncan | PF | 23 | 23 | 869 | 286 | 63 | 8 | 52 | 542 | 37.8 | 12.4 | 2.7 | .3 | 2.3 | 23.6 |
| Tony Parker | PG | 23 | 23 | 858 | 66 | 100 | 17 | 2 | 396 | 37.3 | 2.9 | 4.3 | .7 | .1 | 17.2 |
| Bruce Bowen | SF | 23 | 23 | 814 | 66 | 36 | 11 | 13 | 132 | 35.4 | 2.9 | 1.6 | .5 | .6 | 5.7 |
| Nazr Mohammed | C | 23 | 23 | 528 | 154 | 8 | 14 | 23 | 163 | 23.0 | 6.7 | .3 | .6 | 1.0 | 7.1 |
| Manu Ginóbili | SG | 23 | 15 | 772 | 133 | 97 | 28 | 6 | 479 | 33.6 | 5.8 | 4.2 | 1.2 | .3 | 20.8 |
| Brent Barry | SG | 23 | 8 | 555 | 56 | 44 | 15 | 4 | 141 | 24.1 | 2.4 | 1.9 | .7 | .2 | 6.1 |
| Robert Horry | PF | 23 | 0 | 618 | 125 | 47 | 21 | 20 | 214 | 26.9 | 5.4 | 2.0 | .9 | .9 | 9.3 |
| Beno Udrih | PG | 21 | 0 | 241 | 17 | 22 | 9 | 1 | 78 | 11.5 | .8 | 1.0 | .4 | .0 | 3.7 |
| Rasho Nesterović | C | 15 | 0 | 114 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 7.6 | 1.7 | .1 | .1 | .3 | .7 |
| Glenn Robinson | SF | 13 | 0 | 113 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 50 | 8.7 | 1.6 | .1 | .2 | .5 | 3.8 |
| Devin Brown | SG | 12 | 0 | 60 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 5.0 | .6 | .3 | .1 | .0 | 1.8 |
| Tony Massenburg | PF | 9 | 0 | 28 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3.1 | 1.2 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .3 |

## Playoffs

2005 playoff game log :
First Round: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 24
Denver
L 87–93
Manu Ginóbili (23)
Nazr Mohammed (15)
Tony Parker (6)
SBC Center 18,797
0–1
2
April 27
Denver
W 104–76
Tim Duncan (24)
Duncan, Horry (9)
Tony Parker (6)
SBC Center 18,797
1–1
3
April 30
@ Denver
W 86–78
Manu Ginóbili (32)
Tim Duncan (11)
Brent Barry (4)
Pepsi Center 19,913
2–1
4
May 2
@ Denver
W 126–115 (OT)
Tim Duncan (39)
Tim Duncan (8)
Tony Parker (7)
Pepsi Center 19,776
3–1
5
May 4
Denver
W 99–89
Tony Parker (21)
Nazr Mohammed (13)
Tony Parker (7)
SBC Center 18,797
4–1 :
Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 8
Seattle
W 103–81
Tony Parker (29)
Tim Duncan (9)
Tim Duncan (5)
SBC Center 18,797
1–0
2
May 10
Seattle
W 108–91
Manu Ginóbili (28)
Nazr Mohammed (10)
Tony Parker (7)
SBC Center 18,797
2–0
3
May 12
@ Seattle
L 91–92
Tim Duncan (23)
Tim Duncan (11)
Tony Parker (8)
KeyArena 17,072
2–1
4
May 15
@ Seattle
L 89–101
Tim Duncan (35)
Tim Duncan (10)
Bowen, Parker (3)
KeyArena 17,072
2–2
5
May 17
Seattle
W 103–90
Manu Ginóbili (39)
Tim Duncan (14)
Manu Ginóbili (6)
SBC Center 18,797
3–2
6
May 19
@ Seattle
W 98–96
Tim Duncan (26)
Tim Duncan (9)
Manu Ginóbili (7)
KeyArena 17,072
4–2 :
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 1–1; road: 3–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 22
@ Phoenix
W 121–114
Tony Parker (29)
Tim Duncan (15)
Manu Ginóbili (5)
America West Arena 18,422
1–0
2
May 24
@ Phoenix
W 111–108
Tim Duncan (30)
Duncan, Mohammed (8)
Tony Parker (5)
America West Arena 18,422
2–0
3
May 28
Phoenix
W 102–92
Tim Duncan (33)
Tim Duncan (15)
Tony Parker (7)
SBC Center 18,797
3–0
4
May 30
Phoenix
L 106–111
Manu Ginóbili (28)
Tim Duncan (16)
Manu Ginóbili (7)
SBC Center 18,797
3–1
5
June 1
@ Phoenix
W 101–95
Tim Duncan (31)
Tim Duncan (15)
Manu Ginóbili (6)
America West Arena 18,422
4–1 :
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
June 9
Detroit
W 84–69
Manu Ginóbili (26)
Tim Duncan (17)
Horry, Parker (3)
SBC Center 18,797
1–0
2
June 12
Detroit
W 97–76
Manu Ginóbili (27)
Tim Duncan (11)
Manu Ginóbili (7)
SBC Center 18,797
2–0
3
June 14
@ Detroit
L 79–96
Tony Parker (21)
Tim Duncan (10)
Bowen, Parker (4)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
2–1
4
June 16
@ Detroit
L 71–102
Tim Duncan (16)
Tim Duncan (16)
Bowen, Parker (4)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
2–2
5
June 19
@ Detroit
W 96–95 (OT)
Tim Duncan (26)
Tim Duncan (19)
Manu Ginóbili (9)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
3–2
6
June 21
Detroit
L 86–95
Duncan, Ginóbili (21)
Tim Duncan (15)
Tony Parker (5)
SBC Center 18,797
3–3
7
June 23
Detroit
W 81–74
Tim Duncan (25)
Tim Duncan (11)
Manu Ginóbili (4)
SBC Center 18,797
4–3 :
2005 schedule :

## NBA Finals
### Game One

* ABC
* June 9, 2005 8:00 p.m. EST
* Recap
Detroit Pistons 69, San Antonio Spurs 84 :
| Pts: Billups 25; Hamilton 14; Prince 11 Rebs: B. Wallace 8; R. Wallace 7; McDyess 7 Asts: Billups 6; Prince 4 Blocks: R. Wallace 6 | Pts: Ginobili 26; Duncan 24; Parker 15 Rebs: Duncan 17; Ginobili 9; Mohammed 7 Asts: Parker 3; Horry 3; Bowen 2 |
| San Antonio leads series, 1–0 |||
* SBC Center San Antonio Attendance: 18,797 Referees: Mike Callahan; Ron Garretson; Steve Javie
Manu Ginóbili was widely considered the star of the night, scoring in a virtuoso performance near the end of the game to lead the Spurs to victory. The Pistons were then left 'in the dust', the NBA website reported. Ginobili scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to complement a huge game by Tim Duncan.
Ginobili, a famous Argentine All-Star, already with championship rings from the NBA and Euroleague and an Olympic gold medal (the only player in history with all three), got to work on his second NBA title by taking over in the final period. He scored eight points in a decisive 12-2 surge that gave the Spurs a 67–55 lead, then throttled a push by the Pistons with a swooping dunk, 3-pointer and running hook for an 81–67 advantage with less than two minutes to go.
Having been idle for a week, the Spurs looked weak. With their defense, however, they were able to overcome adversity. Tim Duncan, who had 24 points and 17 rebounds, also contributed. Although the Pistons tend to suddenly come alive in the fourth quarter, the converse was true this game as San Antonio put together a big quarter to take a commanding lead in the game.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
| Detroit | 20 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 69 |
| San Antonio | 17 | 18 | 20 | 29 | 84 |

### Game Two

* ABC
* June 12, 2005 8:00 p.m. EST
* Recap
Detroit Pistons 76, San Antonio Spurs 97 :
| Pts: McDyess 15; Hamilton 14; Billups 13 Rebs: B. Wallace 8; R. Wallace 8; Hamilton 7 Asts: R. Wallace 4; Three others at 3 | Pts: Ginobili 27; Duncan 18; Bowen 12 Rebs: Duncan 11; Horry 6; Mohammed 5 Asts: Ginobili- 7; Horry 5; Barry 5 Blocks: Duncan 4 |
| San Antonio leads series, 2–0 |||
* SBC Center San Antonio Attendance: 18,797 Referees: Dan Crawford, Bernie Fryer, Jack Nies
Coming into the game, it seemed as if the resilient Pistons, who survived two elimination games against Miami in the Eastern Finals, would come out strong and give the Spurs a challenge. However, it was the Spurs who came out with a sense of urgency, as they did not want the Pistons to steal a game in San Antonio and take home court advantage away from them. From the opening tip, Game 2 was all San Antonio as the Spurs got out to a quick lead and never looked back.
The Spurs took advantage of Detroit's uncharacteristic mistakes throughout the night, which included missing 9 shots from inside four feet from the basket. While the Pistons went cold from behind the arc, not scoring a single 3-point basket, the Spurs made 11 3-pointers, including 4 each by Manu Ginóbili and Bruce Bowen, who did not score a point in game 1. Ginobili finished the game with a game-high 27 points, while Tim Duncan finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Antonio McDyess was the high scorer for Detroit, scoring 15 points off the bench.
The 2–0 lead proved a daunting challenge to Detroit, historically. In the history of the NBA, in the 153 times when a team with home court advantage was up 2–0 in a series, only seven times has the other team rebounded to win the series.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
| Detroit | 19 | 23 | 21 | 13 | 76 |
| San Antonio | 30 | 28 | 21 | 18 | 97 |

### Game Three

* ABC
* June 14, 2005 9:00 p.m.
* Recap
San Antonio Spurs 79, Detroit Pistons 96 :
| Pts: Parker 21; Duncan 14; Bowen 13 Rebs: Duncan 10; Mohammed 7; Horry 5 Asts: Parker 4; Duncan 4; three others at 2 | Pts: Hamilton 24; Billups 20; B. Wallace 15 Rebs: B. Wallace 11; McDyess 9 R. Wallace 7 Asts: Billups 7; Prince 5 Blocks: B. Wallace 5 |
| San Antonio leads series, 2–1 |||
* The Palace of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Attendance: 22,076 Referees: Joe Crawford, Bob Delaney, Bennett Salvatore
Going into this game, the Pistons were looking to rebound from the deficit.
In the past, only two teams in NBA history had ever won a Finals series after facing a 2–0 deficit — the Boston Celtics in the 1969 NBA Finals and the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1977 NBA Finals — however, the Miami Heat would later accomplish this feat against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Finals.
Despite the tough challenge, the Pistons pulled through, and came out with several key steals and two scoring runs in the third quarter, then netted many insurance points in the fourth to win a big game which was a de facto must-win. Ben Wallace was lauded and commended by many for stepping up to the challenge.
When the end of the game came, and the 96–79 final score flashed upon the screens, many Pistons fans, celebrating in jubilation, started filling the air with confetti and conducted other celebratory customs. That was the first time that the Spurs have given up more than 90 points in a Finals game.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
| San Antonio | 27 | 15 | 23 | 14 | 79 |
| Detroit | 21 | 20 | 29 | 26 | 96 |

### Game Four

Thursday, June 16, 2005, 21:00, at The Palace.
* ABC
* June 16, 2005 9:00 p.m.
* Recap
San Antonio Spurs 71, Detroit Pistons 102 :
| Pts: Duncan 16; Parker 12; Ginobili 12 Rebs: Duncan 16; Mohammed 5; three others at 4 Asts: Parker 4; Bowen 4; Ginobili 3 | Pts: Billups 17; Hunter 17; R. Wallace -14 Rebs: B. Wallace 13; Hamilton 9; R. Wallace 8 Asts: Billups 7; McDyess 5 Note: 7 Pistons players in double point figures |
| Series tied, 2–2 |||
* The Palace of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Attendance: 22,076 Referees: Dick Bavetta, Joe DeRosa, Eddie F. Rush
In this game also, as was previously observed in Game 3, the Pistons dominated the Spurs. Reporters began to remark about the tendency in this series for the home team to produce a blowout. Thus far, no game had been decided by less than 15 points.
Seven Pistons scored in double figures, and big games were collected from Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, and all the other élite stars of the franchise.
The outcome was never really in doubt, and the Pistons committed a Finals-record low four turnovers, but even this is often deemed an underestimation of the Pistons' defensive power. The deciding factor appears to have been the lack of possession time for the Spurs. This led to infrequent opportunities to score, and combined with an uncharacteristic scoring slump, the Spurs were only able to manage 71 points. For the second straight game, the Pistons scored more than 90 points against the Spurs.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
| San Antonio | 17 | 19 | 21 | 14 | 71 |
| Detroit | 23 | 28 | 23 | 28 | 102 |

### Game Five

* ABC
* June 19, 2005 9:00 p.m.
* Recap
San Antonio Spurs 96, Detroit Pistons 95 (OT) :
| Pts: Duncan 26; Horry 21; Ginobili 15 Rebs: Duncan 19; Horry 7; Ginobili 6 Asts: Ginobili 9; Parker 3; Bowen 3; | Pts: Billups 34; Hamilton 15; B. Wallace 13 Rebs: B. Wallace 12; Prince 9; McDyess 6 Asts: Billups 7; Prince 3 |
| San Antonio leads series, 3–2 |||
* The Palace of Auburn Hills Auburn Hills, Michigan Attendance: 22,076 Referees: Mike Callahan, Ron Garretson, Steve Javie
With the first four games of the 2005 Finals being blowouts by the home team, Game 5 was the close game everyone was waiting for, and it went down as one of the more memorable games in Finals history.
The game was closely contested by the two teams throughout the night as the lead changed 12 separate times, and the game was tied on 18 occasions. Regulation was not enough to settle this game, so the game went into overtime. The Pistons streaked out to a quick lead in the first few minutes of overtime, and seemed to have the game in hand. However, a missed opportunity with Detroit up 2 with 9 seconds to go opened the door for San Antonio. On the Spurs' next possession, Robert Horry inbounded the ball to Ginobili, who then gave it back to Horry, who was left wide open, to sink the game winning basket. Horry had previously already been famous for nailing the winning shot in Game 4 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Lakers and Kings.
Horry went 5 for 6 from beyond the arc, including the game-winner, and scored 21 points coming off the bench, after not scoring until the final play of the 3rd quarter. He carried the team in the latter stages of the game as his teammates struggled with nerves that came with the weight of a must-win game on the road against an accomplished adversary. In addition to the game winning three pointer Horry made a spectacular left-handed dunk as the shot clock was winding in one possession, that is one of the highlights of the series. Incidentally, Horry happened to have the most NBA championships of any active player five, and looked to extend that to six.
Tim Duncan, despite struggling from the free-throw line, finished with 26 points and 19 rebounds for the Spurs. Chauncey Billups was the high scorer for the Pistons, finishing with a game high 34 points in the losing effort.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Tot. |
| San Antonio | 21 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 7 | 96 |
| Detroit | 23 | 19 | 21 | 26 | 6 | 95 |

### Game Six

* ABC
* June 21, 2005 8:00 p.m. EST
* Recap
Detroit Pistons 95, San Antonio Spurs 86 :
| Pts: Hamilton 23; Billups 21; R. Wallace 16 Rebs: B. Wallace 9; Prince 7; Billups 6 Asts: Billups 6; Prince 4 | Pts: Ginobili 21; Duncan 21; Parker 15 Rebs: Duncan 15; Ginobili 10; Mohammed 8 Asts: Parker 5; Ginobili 3 |
| Series tied, 3–3 |||
* SBC Center San Antonio Attendance: 18,797 Referees: Dan Crawford, Bernie Fryer, Bennett Salvatore
Game 6 was a close game all along, and the lead kept fluctuating between the two teams. Again, the leading stars on both teams played big games. Detroit pulled away early in the fourth for an 80–73 lead with five minutes to go, but the Spurs continued to threaten them. Soon, it was back to a one-point game.
Then, Rasheed Wallace planted a three-pointer to pull away, and even with a resilient game by the Spurs, the Pistons had clinched the victory.
Nevertheless, several Pistons free throws were necessary in the final moments of the game to put a win out of reach for the Spurs.
Rasheed Wallace had a big game to atone for the mistake he made for leaving Horry open in Game 5. Despite the fact that his mistake ultimately cost the Pistons the championship, Wallace was nonchalant about the play, even commenting incorrectly that he left Horry to guard Duncan.
Billups and Prince again led the Pistons with steady, unwavering defense, which is the key, as it is often said, to victory. Although Duncan and Ginobili finished with 21 points each, neither was able to seriously threaten the strong Pistons defense enough to win the game. Detroit thus won its fifth consecutive game facing elimination. The Pistons became the first road team to force a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
| Detroit | 23 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 95 |
| San Antonio | 23 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 86 |

### Game Seven

* ABC
* June 23, 2005 8:00 p.m. EST
* Recap
Detroit Pistons 74, San Antonio Spurs 81 :
| Pts: Hamilton 15; Billups 13; B. Wallace 12 Rebs: B. Wallace 12; Hamilton 8; McDyess 7 Asts: Billups 8; McDyess 2 | Pts: Duncan 25; Ginobili 23; Horry 15 Rebs: Duncan 11; Mohammed 7; Ginobili 5 Asts: Ginobili 4; Duncan 3 |
| San Antonio wins series, 4–3 |||
* SBC Center San Antonio Attendance: 18,797 Referees: Dick Bavetta, Joe Crawford, Eddie F. Rush
For the first time in eleven years, the NBA Finals came down to a decisive game. Momentum was on Detroit's side, but the Spurs had home-court advantage. The Pistons were looking to become the first team to ever win the last 2 games on the road, after being down 3–2. The stats were, as expected, heavily in favor of the Spurs. NBA teams are 74-17 all-time at home in Game 7, and 9-0 when leading 3-2 going home.
The game, like the previous two games of the series, was closely contested for the first three quarters. But the Spurs took control in the fourth quarter and never looked back as for the second time in three years, the Spurs celebrated a championship on the SBC Center floor. The Spurs won Game Seven 81–74, winning the franchise's third Larry O'Brien Trophy. For the game, Tim Duncan finished with a game high 25 points and 11 rebounds, while teammate Manu Ginóbili pitched in with 23 points. Richard Hamilton, with 15 points, was the high scorer for the Pistons, who fell just short of winning back to back championships.
Tim Duncan averaged 20.6 PPG on his way to his 3rd NBA Finals MVP award. Manu Ginóbili, Tony Parker, and Bruce Bowen each received their second championship ring, while Robert Horry became only the second player in NBA history (John Salley being the first) to play on championship teams for three different franchises.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot. |
| Detroit | 16 | 23 | 18 | 17 | 74 |
| San Antonio | 18 | 20 | 19 | 24 | 81 |

## Award winners

* Tim Duncan, NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
* Tim Duncan, All-NBA First Team
* Tim Duncan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* Bruce Bowen, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* Sam Quinn, NBA Assistant Coach of the Year