The 1990 NBA Finals: 5 Highlights

Want to go back in time and relive the 1990 NBA Finals five highlights. The 1990 NBA Finals pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trailblazers. Detroit entered the series eager to defend their position as champions having won the 1989 NBA Championship. For the Trailblazers the series was a shot at redemption, after losing in the first round of the playoffs the previous four seasons. The Pistons eventually won the series in five games, below are the five best highlights.

1. Fourth quarter comeback. Game one saw Portland dominating play. Late into the fourth quarter the Trailblazers were leading by ten points and were only minutes from stealing the first game. That was when Isiah Thomas kicked it into gear. The Pistons went on a scoring run as Portland was helpless to stop the momentum, as the Pistons came back to win the first game 105-99.
2. Clyde at the line. Game two was a series of lead changes, but the game was even when Isiah Thomas had a chance to win it for Detroit. He missed the shot and the game went to overtime. The Trailblazers were eventually able to win the game 106-105 in overtime on a pair of clutch Clyde Drexler free throws.
3. Victory and tragedy. Before game three Joe Dumars’ father died from heart failure. Joe wasn’t informed till after the game, but his performance was a stirring tribute to his dad. Joe scored 33 points and led Detroit to an important 121-106 win.
4. A different kind of ending. Game four mirrored game two's back and forth pace.  It was a series of runs and lead changes that saw Isiah Thomas score 22 points in the third quarter alone. Portland would respond with a run of their own, but couldn't muster enought o pull off thecomeback. led by Thomas, Detroit took a commanding three games to one lead with a 112-109 win.
5. Back-to-Back. With their backs against the wall, Portland came out swinging, and led by seven with two minutes remaining in game five. But Detroit Pistons’ guard Vinnie Johnson came of the bench and scored seven of his team's last nine points to help retake the lead. The Pistons would wrap their second consecutive NBA Championship with a 92-90 win. After the game Isiah Thomas was named the NBA Finals MVP.

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1990 NBA Finals