1973–74 Detroit Pistons season
The 1973–74 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 26th season in the NBA and 17th season in the city of Detroit. The team played at Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit.
| 1973–74 Detroit Pistons season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Ray Scott |
| General manager | Ed Coil |
| Owner(s) | Fred Zollner |
| Arena | Cobo Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 52–30 (.634) |
| Place | Division: 3rd (Midwest) Conference: 4th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to Bulls 3–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | WKBD-TV |
| Radio | WJR |
The Pistons finished with a 52-30 (.634) record, 3rd place in the Midwest Division, only their second winning season since moving to Detroit in 1957. The team was led by guard Dave Bing (18.8 ppg, 6.9 apg, NBA All-Star) and center Bob Lanier (22.5 ppg, 13.3 rpg, NBA All-Star and NBA All-Star Game MVP). Pistons coach Ray Scott was recognized as the NBA Coach of the Year, the first black coach in the league to win the award. It wouldn't be until 1991 when Don Chaney won the award that another black coach was so honored.
Detroit advanced to the 1974 NBA Playoffs, the team's first playoff appearance since the 1967-68 Detroit Pistons season, losing the Western Conference semi-finals 4-3 to the Chicago Bulls, dropping the deciding 7th game 96-94 in Chicago. In the 7th game at Chicago Stadium, after a furious Detroit rally, Dennis Awtrey of the Bulls tipped an inbounds pass by Bing with 3 seconds remaining and Norm Van Lier dribbled out the clock to preserve the Chicago victory.