#5 1988-89 Detroit Pistons def. Los Angeles Lakers
![Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons, 1989 NBA Finals](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/06/bde88-1528535615-800.jpg 1920w)
The Detroit Pistons had a great regular season as they made the playoffs finishing at the top of the Eastern Division having won 63 games in the regular season. They were pitted against Los Angeles Lakers who were the Western Conference Champions.
![march madness logo](http://staticg.sportskeeda.com/skm/assets/march-madness-logo.png)
The Lakers went past every team sweeping them in the playoffs and then got swept in an absolutely stunning series in the Finals. Guards Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas came up big in the Finals and Joe Dumars deservingly won the Finals MVP award.
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Magic Johnson only played in the first game of the Finals because of an injured thigh and the Lakers never looked comfortable without their star PG.