2004 NBA playoffs#Bracket

The 2004 playoffs was the first appearance for the Memphis Grizzlies in their nine-year history which began in Vancouver. However, they failed to win a single game in their first 3 playoff appearances (2004, 2005, 2006), before earning their first playoff game and series victories in 2011.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, entered their eighth consecutive post season.

The Denver Nuggets made the playoffs for the first time since 1995.

The New Orleans Hornets made their final postseason appearance as a member of the East. They would not make the playoffs again until 2008, as a member of the West (the result of a realignment with the addition of the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004–05 NBA season). Their playoff series with the Miami Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, was the last playoff series where the home team won all seven games until 2008's Boston–Atlanta and Boston–Cleveland playoff series.

The Houston Rockets made playoffs for the first time since 1999. As a result, 2004 was the first time in 14 years that all Texas teams made the playoffs, and the second time (first in ten years) that all former ABA teams made the playoffs. This was Steve Francis' only career playoff appearance.

This was the first postseason since 1998 without Allen Iverson or Tracy McGrady.

The Miami Heat and the New York Knicks both made the playoffs for the first time since 2001. This marked Dwyane Wade's first postseason appearance and the start of four straight playoff appearances for the Heat. For the Knicks, on the other hand, this was their last appearance until 2011.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz missed the playoffs for the first time since 1982 and 1983, respectively.

Game 4 of the Spurs–Grizzlies series was the last NBA game ever played at Pyramid Arena. That game and Game 3 of the same series were the only playoff games to take place in The Pyramid before the Grizzlies moved to FedExForum in the autumn of 2004.

With their series win over the Denver Nuggets, the Minnesota Timberwolves won their first playoff series in franchise history.

With their first round series loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Dallas Mavericks lost a first round playoff series for the first time since 1990. As of 2024, this remains the Kings’ most recent series victory.

Game 5 of the Lakers–Spurs series was extremely notable for both teams’ last shots. Tim Duncan scored a two–pointer to give the Spurs a 73–72 lead with 0.4 seconds remaining. However, Derek Fisher would hit the game winning shot as time expired to give the Lakers a 74–73 victory in San Antonio.

With their conference semifinals victory over the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since their NBA Finals run in 2000, after which they significantly changed the makeup of their team (yet still made the playoffs every year).

With their conference semifinals victory over the Sacramento Kings, the Minnesota Timberwolves made their first conference finals appearance in franchise history. They didn't return to the conference finals until 2024.

Game 2 of the Pistons–Pacers series was notable for Tayshaun Prince's block of Reggie Miller's late game layup.

Game 6 of the Timberwolves–Lakers series was the last Minnesota Timberwolves postseason game until 2018.

With their Conference Finals win over the Indiana Pacers, the Detroit Pistons made the NBA Finals for the first time since 1990.

In a shocking upset, the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to win the NBA Championship.

The Indiana Pacers clinched the best record in the NBA and had earned home court advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, when Indiana lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, home court advantage for the NBA Finals switched to the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers, who had posted a better regular season record at 56–26 than the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons at 54–28.

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the East:

1. Indiana Pacers (61–21) (clinched Central division)
2. New Jersey Nets (47–35) (clinched Atlantic division)
3. Detroit Pistons (54–28)
4. Miami Heat (42–40)
5. New Orleans Hornets (41–41, 3–1 head-to-head vs. MIL)
6. Milwaukee Bucks (41–41, 1–3 head-to-head vs. NOH)
7. New York Knicks (39–43)
8. Boston Celtics (36–46)

The Minnesota Timberwolves clinched the best record in the Western Conference and had home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. However, when Minnesota lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers gained home court advantage for the NBA Finals because the Lakers posted a better regular season record at 56-26 than the Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons at 54–28.

The following teams clinched a playoff berth in the West:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves (58–24) (clinched Midwest division)
2. Los Angeles Lakers (56–26) (clinched Pacific division)
3. San Antonio Spurs (57–25)
4. Sacramento Kings (55–27)
5. Dallas Mavericks (52–30)
6. Memphis Grizzlies (50–32)
7. Houston Rockets (45–37)
8. Denver Nuggets (43–39)

{{16TeamBracket

| RD1=Conference Quarterfinals

| RD2=Conference Semifinals

| RD3=Conference Finals

| RD4=NBA Finals

| RD2-group1=Eastern Conference

| RD2-group2=Western Conference

| RD1-seed01=E1

| RD1-team01=Indiana*

| RD1-score01=4

| RD1-seed02=E8

| RD1-team02=Boston

| RD1-score02=0

| RD1-seed03=E4

| RD1-team03=Miami

| RD1-score03=4

| RD1-seed04=E5

| RD1-team04={{nowrap|New Orleans}}

| RD1-score04=3

| RD1-seed05=E3

| RD1-team05=Detroit

| RD1-score05=4

| RD1-seed06=E6

| RD1-team06=Milwaukee

| RD1-score06=1

| RD1-seed07=E2

| RD1-team07={{nowrap|New Jersey}}*

| RD1-score07=4

| RD1-seed08=E7

| RD1-team08={{nowrap|New York}}

| RD1-score08=0

| RD1-seed09=W1

| RD1-team09=Minnesota*

| RD1-score09=4

| RD1-seed10=W8

| RD1-team10=Denver

| RD1-score10=1

| RD1-seed11=W4

| RD1-team11=Sacramento

| RD1-score11=4

| RD1-seed12=W5

| RD1-team12=Dallas

| RD1-score12=1

| RD1-seed13=W3

| RD1-team13={{nowrap|San Antonio}}

| RD1-score13=4

| RD1-seed14=W6

| RD1-team14=Memphis

| RD1-score14=0

| RD1-seed15=W2

| RD1-team15={{nowrap|LA Lakers}}*

| RD1-score15=4

| RD1-seed16=W7

| RD1-team16=Houston

| RD1-score16=1

| RD2-seed01=E1

| RD2-team01=Indiana*

| RD2-score01=4

| RD2-seed02=E4

| RD2-team02=Miami

| RD2-score02=2

| RD2-seed03=E3

| RD2-team03=Detroit

| RD2-score03=4

| RD2-seed04=E2

| RD2-team04={{nowrap|New Jersey}}*

| RD2-score04=3

| RD2-seed05=W1

| RD2-team05=Minnesota*

| RD2-score05=4

| RD2-seed06=W4

| RD2-team06=Sacramento

| RD2-score06=3

| RD2-seed07=W3

| RD2-team07={{nowrap|San Antonio}}

| RD2-score07=2

| RD2-seed08=W2

| RD2-team08={{nowrap|LA Lakers}}*

| RD2-score08=4

| RD3-seed01=E1

| RD3-team01=Indiana*

| RD3-score01=2

| RD3-seed02=E3

| RD3-team02=Detroit

| RD3-score02=4

| RD3-seed03=W1

| RD3-team03=Minnesota*

| RD3-score03=2

| RD3-seed04=W2

| RD3-team04={{nowrap|LA Lakers}}*

| RD3-score04=4

| RD4-seed01=E3

| RD4-team01=Detroit

| RD4-score01=4

| RD4-seed02=W2

| RD4-team02={{nowrap|LA Lakers}}*

| RD4-score02=1

}}{{ubl

|* Division winner

|Bold Series winner

|Italic Team with home-court advantage}}

:All times are in Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4)

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 17

| time = 1:00 pm

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20040420120735/http://www.nba.com/games/20040417/BOSIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Boston Celtics

| score1 = 88

| score2 = 106

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 29–32 | Q2 = 14–35 | Q3 = 21–23 | Q4 = 24–16

| points1 = Paul Pierce 20 | points2 = O'Neal, Artest 24 each

| rebounds1 = Paul Pierce 10 | rebounds2 = Jermaine O'Neal 11

| assist1 = three players 4 each | assist2 = Jamaal Tinsley 7

| attendance = 16,605

| referee = Scott Foster, David Jones, Bennett Salvatore

| series=Indiana leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 20

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20050205003928/http://www.nba.com/games/20040420/BOSIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Boston Celtics

| score1 = 90

| score2 = 103

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = NBA TV

| Q1 = 22–17 | Q2 = 24–24 | Q3 = 23–24 | Q4 = 21–38

| points1 = Paul Pierce 27 | points2 = Jermaine O'Neal 22

| rebounds1 = Mark Blount 10 | rebounds2 = Al Harrington 13

| assist1 = Chucky Atkins 6 | assist2 = Reggie Miller 7

| attendance = 17,347

| referee = Joe Crawford, Bob Delaney, Michael Smith

| series=Indiana leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 23

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20050207202740/http://www.nba.com/games/20040423/INDBOS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| team2 = Boston Celtics

| score1 = 108

| score2 = 85

| place = FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 23–20 | Q2 = 30–20 | Q3 = 26–23 | Q4 = 29–22

| points1 = Harrington, Bender 19 each | points2 = Ricky Davis 16

| rebounds1 = O'Neal, Foster 7 each | rebounds2 = Mark Blount 8

| assist1 = Ron Artest 5 | assist2 = Ricky Davis 7

| attendance = 17,680

| referee = Steve Javie, Monty McCutchen, Ron Olesiak

| series=Indiana leads series, 3–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 25

| time = 12:30 pm

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20050205003936/http://www.nba.com/games/20040425/INDBOS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| team2 = Boston Celtics

| score1 = 90

| score2 = 75

| place = FleetCenter, Boston, Massachusetts

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 21–25 | Q2 = 25–13 | Q3 = 24–14 | Q4 = 20–23

| points1 = Ron Artest 22 | points2 = Paul Pierce 27

| rebounds1 = Foster, Harrington 7 each | rebounds2 = Mark Blount 13

| assist1 = Jamaal Tinsley 7 | assist2 = Walter McCarty 5

| attendance = 16,389

| referee = Joe Forte, Ron Garretson, Mark Wunderlich

| series = Indiana wins series, 4–0

}}

This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Celtics winning the first three meetings.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 17

| time = 4:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040417/NYKNJN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New York Knicks

| score1 = 83

| score2 = 107

| team2 = New Jersey Nets

| place = Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 24–30 | Q2 = 31–32 | Q3 = 13–24 | Q4 = 15–21

| points1 = Penny Hardaway 18 | points2 = Richard Jefferson 21

| rebounds1 = Stephon Marbury 5 | rebounds2 = Kenyon Martin 12

| assist1 = Shandon Anderson 5 | assist2 = Jason Kidd 13

| attendance = 18,206

| referee = James Capers, Jim Clark, Eddie F. Rush

| series=New Jersey leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 20

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040420/NYKNJN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New York Knicks

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 99

| team2 = New Jersey Nets

| place = Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 24–26 | Q2 = 15–26 | Q3 = 20–20 | Q4 = 22–27

| points1 = Stephon Marbury 23 | points2 = Kenyon Martin 22

| rebounds1 = Kurt Thomas 12 | rebounds2 = Kenyon Martin 16

| assist1 = Penny Hardaway 10 | assist2 = Jason Kidd 8

| attendance = 19,918

| referee = Sean Corbin, Jack Nies, Greg Willard

| series=New Jersey leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 22

| time = 6:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040422/NJNNYK/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Jersey Nets

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 78

| team2 = New York Knicks

| place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 25–15 | Q2 = 15–25 | Q3 = 25–15 | Q4 = 16–23

| points1 = Martin, Kidd 19 each | points2 = three players 18 each

| rebounds1 = Kenyon Martin 15 | rebounds2 = Kurt Thomas 12

| assist1 = Richard Jefferson 10 | assist2 = Stephon Marbury 10

| attendance = 19,763

| referee = Joe Crawford, Scott Foster, Michael Smith

| series=New Jersey leads series, 3–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 25

| time = 6:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040425/NJNNYK/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Jersey Nets

| score1 = 100

| score2 = 94

| team2 = New York Knicks

| place = Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York

| TV = NBA TV

| Q1 = 21–21 | Q2 = 23–25 | Q3 = 25–22 | Q4 = 31–26

| points1 = Kenyon Martin 36 | points2 = Stephon Marbury 31

| rebounds1 = Kenyon Martin 13 | rebounds2 = Kurt Thomas 15

| assist1 = Jason Kidd 7 | assist2 = Stephon Marbury 7

| attendance = 19,763

| referee = Bernie Fryer, Ken Mauer, Blane Reichelt

| series = New Jersey wins series, 4–0

}}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 18

| time =3:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040418/MILDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Milwaukee Bucks

| score1 = 82

| score2 = 102

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 21–27 | Q2 = 22–25 | Q3 = 15–28 | Q4 = 24–28

| points1 = Desmond Mason 16 | points2 = Richard Hamilton 21

| rebounds1 = Joe Smith 11 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 14

| assist1 = Damon Jones 7 | assist2 = Richard Hamilton 8

| attendance = 22,076

| referee = Sean Corbin, Dan Crawford, Ken Mauer

| series=Detroit leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 21

| time =6:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040421/MILDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Milwaukee Bucks

| score1 = 92

| score2 = 88

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 25–25 | Q2 = 23–16 | Q3 = 22–19 | Q4 = 22–28

| points1 = Michael Redd 26 | points2 = Chauncey Billups 20

| rebounds1 = Joe Smith 13 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 12

| assist1 = Damon Jones 7 | assist2 = Chauncey Billups 8

| attendance = 22,076

| referee = Tim Donaghy, Monty McCutchen, Bennett Salvatore

| series=Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 24

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040424/DETMIL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 95

| score2 = 85

| team2 = Milwaukee Bucks

| place = Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 22–30 | Q2 = 20–19 | Q3 = 32–19 | Q4 = 21–17

| points1 = Chauncey Billups 21 | points2 = Mason, Redd 19 each

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 21 | rebounds2 = Desmond Mason 9

| assist1 = Chauncey Billups 7 | assist2 = Damon Jones 7

| attendance = 18,717

| referee = Joe DeRosa, Jack Nies, Derrick Stafford

| series=Detroit leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 26

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040426/DETMIL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 109

| score2 = 92

| team2 = Milwaukee Bucks

| place = Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 28–27 | Q2 = 24–22 | Q3 = 22–19 | Q4 = 35–24

| points1 = Richard Hamilton 27 | points2 = Smith, Jones 17 each

| rebounds1 = B. Wallace, R. Wallace 9 each | rebounds2 = Joe Smith 12

| assist1 = Chauncey Billups 9 | assist2 = Damon Jones 10

| attendance = 17,316

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Tony Brothers, Jim Clark

| series=Detroit leads series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 29

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040429/MILDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Milwaukee Bucks

| score1 = 77

| score2 = 91

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 22–24 | Q2 = 10–15 | Q3 = 22–30 | Q4 = 23–22

| points1 = Michael Redd 22 | points2 = Tayshaun Prince 24

| rebounds1 = Keith Van Horn 12 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 12

| assist1 = Damon Jones 6 | assist2 = Tayshaun Prince 8

| referee = Bob Delaney, Bernie Fryer, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 22,076

| series = Detroit wins series, 4–1

}}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first two meetings.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 18

| time =12:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040418/NOHMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Orleans Hornets

| score1 = 79

| score2 = 81

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 22–23 | Q2 = 22–18 | Q3 = 15–25 | Q4 = 20–15

| points1 = Baron Davis 17 | points2 = Dwyane Wade 21

| rebounds1 = Brown, Magloire 11 each | rebounds2 = Lamar Odom 11

| assist1 = Augmon, Davis 4 each | assist2 = Odom, Wade 5 each

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Tim Donaghy, Joe Forte

| attendance = 20,102

| series=Miami leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 21

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040421/NOHMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Orleans Hornets

| score1 = 63

| score2 = 93

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 17–28 | Q2 = 17–15 | Q3 = 10–23 | Q4 = 19–27

| points1 = Baron Davis 13 | points2 = Eddie Jones 19

| rebounds1 = Jamaal Magloire 10 | rebounds2 = Brian Grant 11

| assist1 = Baron Davis 7 | assist2 = Dwyane Wade 6

| referee = Dan Crawford, Derrick Stafford, Tom Washington

| attendance = 20,189

| series=Miami leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 24

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040424/MIANOH/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Miami Heat

| score1 = 71

| score2 = 77

| team2 = New Orleans Hornets

| place = New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana

| TV = ESPN2

| Q1 = 14–19 | Q2 = 15–22 | Q3 = 21–16 | Q4 = 21–20

| points1 = Caron Butler 24 | points2 = Baron Davis 21

| rebounds1 = Caron Butler 15 | rebounds2 = Brown, Lynch 11 each

| assist1 = Caron Butler 4 | assist2 = Baron Davis 5

| referee = Tony Brothers, Scott Foster, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 14,251

| series=Miami leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 27

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040427/MIANOH/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Miami Heat

| score1 = 85

| score2 = 96

| team2 = New Orleans Hornets

| place = New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 17–22 | Q2 = 27–28 | Q3 = 27–18 | Q4 = 14–28

| points1 = Lamar Odom 25 | points2 = Baron Davis 23

| rebounds1 = Brian Grant 9 | rebounds2 = Brown, West 7 each

| assist1 = Dwyane Wade 10 | assist2 = Baron Davis 10

| referee = Bernie Fryer, Luis Grillo, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 16,009

| series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 30

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040430/NOHMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Orleans Hornets

| score1 = 83

| score2 = 87

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 24–14 | Q2 = 22–28 | Q3 = 17–16 | Q4 = 20–29

| points1 = Baron Davis 33 | points2 = Eddie Jones 25

| rebounds1 = P. J. Brown 13 | rebounds2 = Caron Butler 11

| assist1 = Baron Davis 7 | assist2 = Dwyane Wade 5

| referee = Joe DeRosa, Ken Mauer, Jack Nies

| attendance = 20,147

| series=Miami leads series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 2

| time =3:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040502/MIANOH/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Miami Heat

| score1 = 83

| score2 = 89

| team2 = New Orleans Hornets

| place = New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 14–21| Q2 = 19–22 | Q3 = 22–26| Q4 = 28–20

| points1 = Dwyane Wade 27 | points2 = Brown, Lynch 16 each

| rebounds1 = Lamar Odom 11 | rebounds2 = Brown, Magloire 9 each

| assist1 = Dwyane Wade 6 | assist2 = Baron Davis 12

| referee = Sean Corbin, Joe Crawford, Blane Reichelt

| attendance = 17,297

| series=Series tied, 3–3

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 4

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040504/NOHMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Orleans Hornets

| score1 = 77

| score2 = 85

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 18–25 | Q2 = 13–16 | Q3 = 22–22 | Q4 = 24–22

| points1 = Steve Smith 25 | points2 = Caron Butler 23

| rebounds1 = Jamaal Magloire 10 | rebounds2 = three players 9 each

| assist1 = Davis, Williams 4 each | assist2 = Dwyane Wade 7

| referee = Ron Garretson, Steve Javie, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 20,286

| series = Miami wins series, 4–3

}}

• In Game 1, Dwyane Wade hits the game winner with 1.3 seconds left.

This was the first playoff meeting between the Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets franchise.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=MIA&opp_id=NOH&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Miami Heat versus New Orleans Pelicans (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 15, 2016}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 18

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040418/DENMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Denver Nuggets

| score1 = 92

| score2 = 106

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 22–31 | Q2 = 20–20 | Q3 = 26–28 | Q4 = 24–27

| points1 = Anthony, Camby 19 each | points2 = Sam Cassell 40

| rebounds1 = Marcus Camby 8 | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 20

| assist1 = Earl Boykins 5 | assist2 = Garnett, Sprewell 4 each

| referee = Tony Brothers, Mike Callahan, Jack Nies

| attendance = 18,503

| series=Minnesota leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 21

| time = 8:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040421/DENMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Denver Nuggets

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 95

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 27–28 | Q2 = 9–22 | Q3 = 18–16 | Q4 = 27–29

| points1 = Voshon Lenard 24 | points2 = Latrell Sprewell 31

| rebounds1 = Carmelo Anthony 9 | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 22

| assist1 = Anthony, Nenê 3 each | assist2 = Kevin Garnett 10

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Luis Grillo, Mark Wunderlich

| attendance = 18,101

| series=Minnesota leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 24

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040424/MINDEN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 86

| score2 = 107

| team2 = Denver Nuggets

| place = Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

| TV = ESPN2

| Q1 = 18–30| Q2 = 23–24 | Q3 = 25–31 | Q4 = 20–22

| points1 = Latrell Sprewell 25 | points2 = Carmelo Anthony 24

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 11 | rebounds2 = Marcus Camby 16

| assist1 = Kevin Garnett 8 | assist2 = Andre Miller 6

| referee = Dan Crawford, Bill Kennedy, Tom Washington

| attendance = 19,713

| series=Minnesota leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 27

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040427/MINDEN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 84

| score2 = 82

| team2 = Denver Nuggets

| place = Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 20–20 | Q2 = 16–16 | Q3 = 30–27 | Q4 = 18–19

| points1 = Kevin Garnett 27 | points2 = Voshon Lenard 28

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 14 | rebounds2 = Marcus Camby 14

| assist1 = Kevin Garnett 5 | assist2 = Marcus Camby 5

| referee = Ron Garretson, Ron Olesiak, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 19,694

| series=Minnesota leads series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 30

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040430/DENMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Denver Nuggets

| score1 = 91

| score2 = 102

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 19–28 | Q2 = 26–29 | Q3 = 21–17 | Q4 = 25–28

| points1 = Camby, Miller 21 each | points2 = Kevin Garnett 28

| rebounds1 = Marcus Camby 15 | rebounds2 = Garnett, Madsen 7 each

| assist1 = Boykins, Lenard 4 each | assist2 = Kevin Garnett 8

| referee = Joe Forte, Steve Javie, Derrick Stafford

| attendance = 19,890

| series = Minnesota wins series, 4–1

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=DEN&opp_id=MIN&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Denver Nuggets versus Minnesota Timberwolves (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 15, 2016}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 17

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040417/HOULAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Houston Rockets

| score1 = 71

| score2 = 72

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 18–20 | Q2 = 16–20 | Q3 = 17–9 | Q4 = 20–23

| points1 = Steve Francis 18 | points2 = Shaquille O'Neal 20

| rebounds1 = Jim Jackson 12 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 17

| assist1 = Steve Francis 5 | assist2 = Kobe Bryant 6

| referee = Ron Garretson, Steve Javie, Blane Reichelt

| attendance = 18,997

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 19

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040419/HOULAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Houston Rockets

| score1 = 84

| score2 = 98

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 22–23 | Q2 = 24–21 | Q3 = 18–30 | Q4 = 20–24

| points1 = Yao Ming 21 | points2 = Kobe Bryant 36

| rebounds1 = Steve Francis 10 | rebounds2 = Karl Malone 8

| assist1 = Steve Francis 12 | assist2 = Gary Payton 7

| referee = Bennie Adams, Joe DeRosa, Bernie Fryer

| attendance = 18,997

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 23

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040423/LALHOU/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 91

| score2 = 102

| team2 = Houston Rockets

| place = Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 23–29 | Q2 = 20–27 | Q3 = 19–18 | Q4 = 29–28

| points1 = Shaquille O'Neal 25 | points2 = Steve Francis 27

| rebounds1 = Malone, O'Neal 11 each | rebounds2 = Jackson, Yao 10 each

| assist1 = Gary Payton 7 | assist2 = Steve Francis 7

| referee = Mike Callahan, James Capers, Eddie F. Rush

| attendance = 18,226

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 25

| time = 3:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040425/LALHOU/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 92

| score2 = 88

| team2 = Houston Rockets

| overtime = OT

| place = Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 21–24 | Q2 = 24–17 | Q3 = 24–18 | Q4 = 12–22 | OT = 11–7

| points1 = Karl Malone 30 | points2 = Steve Francis 17

| rebounds1 = Karl Malone 13 | rebounds2 = Jim Jackson 20

| assist1 = Gary Payton 7 | assist2 = Steve Francis 9

| referee = Joe Crawford, David Jones, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 18,219

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 28

| time = 10:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040428/HOULAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Houston Rockets

| score1 = 78

| score2 = 97

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 27–24 | Q2 = 21–23 | Q3 = 9–25 | Q4 = 21–25

| points1 = Jim Jackson 17 | points2 = Kobe Bryant 31

| rebounds1 = Kelvin Cato 12 | rebounds2 = Malone, O'Neal 9 each

| assist1 = Steve Francis 5 | assist2 = Kobe Bryant 10

| referee = Dan Crawford, Monty McCutchen, Tom Washington

| attendance = 18,997

| series = LA Lakers win series, 4–1

}}

This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning three series apiece.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 17

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040417/MEMSAS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Memphis Grizzlies

| score1 = 74

| score2 = 98

| team2 = San Antonio Spurs

| place = SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 19–28 | Q2 = 15–21 | Q3 = 18–22 | Q4 = 22–27

| points1 = Bonzi Wells 16 | points2 = Tim Duncan 26

| rebounds1 = Stromile Swift 7 | rebounds2 = Tim Duncan 9

| assist1 = Jason Williams 3 | assist2 = Tony Parker 8

| referee = Bennie Adams, Joe DeRosa, Bernie Fryer

| attendance = 18,797

| series=San Antonio leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 19

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040419/MEMSAS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Memphis Grizzlies

| score1 = 70

| score2 = 87

| team2 = San Antonio Spurs

| place = SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 21–26 | Q2 = 14–20 | Q3 = 24–22 | Q4 = 11–19

| points1 = Pau Gasol 20 | points2 = Tony Parker 27

| rebounds1 = Pau Gasol 11 | rebounds2 = Tim Duncan 12

| assist1 = Jason Williams 4 | assist2 = Tony Parker 7

| referee = Luis Grillo, Eddie F. Rush, Mark Wunderlich

| attendance = 18,797

| series=San Antonio leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 22

| time = 8:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040422/SASMEM/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = San Antonio Spurs

| score1 = 95

| score2 = 93

| team2 = Memphis Grizzlies

| place = The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 29–28 | Q2 = 21–29 | Q3 = 24–17 | Q4 = 21–19

| points1 = Tim Duncan 22 | points2 = Pau Gasol 18

| rebounds1 = Tim Duncan 13 | rebounds2 = Swift, Wright 6 each

| assist1 = Tony Parker 6 | assist2 = Gasol, Williams 3 each

| referee = Sean Corbin, Jack Nies, Greg Willard

| attendance = 19,351

| series=San Antonio leads series, 3–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 25

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040425/SASMEM/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = San Antonio Spurs

| score1 = 110

| score2 = 97

| team2 = Memphis Grizzlies

| place = The Pyramid, Memphis, Tennessee

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 32–21 | Q2 = 25–24 | Q3 = 30–27 | Q4 = 23–25

| points1 = Tony Parker 29 | points2 = Pau Gasol 22

| rebounds1 = Duncan, Horry 6 each | rebounds2 = James Posey 11

| assist1 = Tony Parker 13 | assist2 = Jason Williams 8

| referee = Bob Delaney, Steve Javie, Jess Kersey

| attendance = 19,351

| series = San Antonio wins series, 4–0

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Grizzlies and the Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=MEM&opp_id=SAS&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Memphis Grizzlies versus San Antonio Spurs (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 15, 2016}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 18

| time = 3:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040418/DALSAC/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Dallas Mavericks

| score1 = 105

| score2 = 116

| team2 = Sacramento Kings

| place = ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 31–34 | Q2 = 34–29 | Q3 = 20–23 | Q4 = 20–30

| points1 = Dirk Nowitzki 32 | points2 = Peja Stojaković 28

| rebounds1 = Dirk Nowitzki 13 | rebounds2 = Chris Webber 12

| assist1 = Steve Nash 8 | assist2 = Doug Christie 11

| referee = Joe Crawford, Jess Kersey, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 17,317

| series=Sacramento leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 20

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040420/DALSAC/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Dallas Mavericks

| score1 = 79

| score2 = 83

| team2 = Sacramento Kings

| place = ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 19–21 | Q2 = 23–23 | Q3 = 18–17 | Q4 = 19–22

| points1 = Dirk Nowitzki 28 | points2 = Mike Bibby 24

| rebounds1 = Marquis Daniels 11 | rebounds2 = Chris Webber 13

| assist1 = Steve Nash 9 | assist2 = Chris Webber 12

| referee = Ron Garretson, Steve Javie, Blane Reichelt

| attendance = 17,317

| series=Sacramento leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 24

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040424/SACDAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Sacramento Kings

| score1 = 79

| score2 = 104

| team2 = Dallas Mavericks

| place = American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 25–33 | Q2 = 17–16 | Q3 = 17–34 | Q4 = 20–21

| points1 = Bibby, Webber 22 each | points2 = Marquis Daniels 22

| rebounds1 = Peja Stojaković 8 | rebounds2 = Josh Howard 14

| assist1 = Doug Christie 4 | assist2 = Steve Nash 5

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Jim Clark, Tim Donaghy

| attendance = 20,580

| series=Sacramento leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = April 26

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040426/SACDAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Sacramento Kings

| score1 = 94

| score2 = 92

| team2 = Dallas Mavericks

| place = American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 21–18 | Q2 = 18–26 | Q3 = 31–21 | Q4 = 24–27

| points1 = Mike Bibby 22 | points2 = Dirk Nowitzki 21

| rebounds1 = Brad Miller 16 | rebounds2 = Dirk Nowitzki 14

| assist1 = three players 5 each

| assist2 = Steve Nash 9

| referee = Joe Crawford, Bill Kennedy, Tom Washington

| attendance = 20,677

| series=Sacramento leads series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = April 29

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040429/DALSAC/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Dallas Mavericks

| score1 = 118

| score2 = 119

| team2 = Sacramento Kings

| place = ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 37–24 | Q2 = 29–39 | Q3 = 30–33 | Q4 = 22–23

| points1 = Dirk Nowitzki 31 | points2 = Mike Bibby 36

| rebounds1 = Dirk Nowitzki 14 | rebounds2 = Peja Stojaković 10

| assist1 = Steve Nash 14 | assist2 = Bibby, Christie 8 each

| referee = Mike Callahan, Bennett Salvatore, Greg Willard

| attendance = 17,317

| series = Sacramento wins series, 4–1

}}

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 6

| time =9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040506/MIAIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Miami Heat

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 94

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 15–23 | Q2 = 21–23 | Q3 = 21–23| Q4 = 24–25

| points1 = Dwyane Wade 22 | points2 = Ron Artest 25

| rebounds1 = Caron Butler 9 | rebounds2 = Jeff Foster 10

| assist1 = Alston, Wade 4 each | assist2 = Jamaal Tinsley 5

| referee = Dick Bavetta, James Capers, Tom Washington

| attendance = 18,345

| series=Indiana leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 8

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040508/MIAIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Miami Heat

| score1 = 80

| score2 = 91

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 19–21 | Q2 = 17–23 | Q3 = 18–25 | Q4 = 26–22

| points1 = Odom, Wade 19 each | points2 = Ron Artest 20

| rebounds1 = Lamar Odom 12 | rebounds2 = Harrington, O'Neal 9 each

| assist1 = Alston, Wade 5 each | assist2 = Jamaal Tinsley 9

| referee = Joe Forte, Bernie Fryer, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 18,345

| series=Indiana leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 10

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040510/INDMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| score1 = 87

| score2 = 94

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 20–14 | Q2 = 15–25 | Q3 = 25–25 | Q4 = 27–30

| points1 = Jermaine O'Neal 29 | points2 = Dwyane Wade 25

| rebounds1 = Jermaine O'Neal 9 | rebounds2 = Brian Grant 16

| assist1 = Jamaal Tinsley 5 | assist2 = Dwyane Wade 6

| referee = Dan Crawford, Tim Donaghy, Derrick Stafford

| attendance = 20,115

| series=Indiana leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 12

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040512/INDMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| score1 = 88

| score2 = 100

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 33–26 | Q2 = 23–27 | Q3 = 13–23 | Q4 = 19–24

| points1 = Jermaine O'Neal 37 | points2 = Lamar Odom 22

| rebounds1 = Artest, Tinsley 8 each | rebounds2 = Caron Butler 10

| assist1 = Jamaal Tinsley 5 | assist2 = Dwyane Wade 7

| referee = Joe DeRosa, Luis Grillo, Eddie F. Rush

| attendance = 20,128

| series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 15

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040515/MIAIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Miami Heat

| score1 = 83

| score2 = 94

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 21–19 | Q2 = 18–25 | Q3 = 16–29 | Q4 = 28–21

| points1 = Dwyane Wade 16 | points2 = Jermaine O'Neal 22

| rebounds1 = Lamar Odom 10 | rebounds2 = Jeff Foster 16

| assist1 = Dwyane Wade 10 | assist2 = Jamaal Tinsley 8

| referee = Jim Clark, Bob Delaney, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 18,345

| series=Indiana leads series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 18

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040512/INDMIA/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| score1 = 73

| score2 = 70

| team2 = Miami Heat

| place = American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 16–20 | Q2 = 20–13 | Q3 = 23–19 | Q4 = 14–18

| points1 = Ron Artest 27 | points2 = Dwyane Wade 24

| rebounds1 = Jermaine O'Neal 13 | rebounds2 = Brian Grant 10

| assist1 = Jamaal Tinsley 3 | assist2 = three players 2 each

| referee = Ron Garretson, Steve Javie, Jack Nies

| attendance = 20,136

| series = Indiana wins series, 4–2

}}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20121016184657/http://www.nba.com/games/20040518/INDMIA/recap.html Recap]

This was the first playoff meeting between the Pacers and the Heat.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=IND&opp_id=MIA&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Indiana Pacers versus Miami Heat (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 15, 2016}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 3

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040503/NJNDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Jersey Nets

| score1 = 56

| score2 = 78

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 14–18 | Q2 = 11–19 | Q3 = 14–20 | Q4 = 17–21

| points1 = Kerry Kittles 15 | points2 = Hamilton, Prince 15 each

| rebounds1 = Jason Kidd 7 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 11

| assist1 = Jason Kidd 6 | assist2 = Richard Hamilton 7

| referee = Mike Callahan, Luis Grillo, Eddie F. Rush

| attendance = 22,076

| series=Detroit leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 7

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040507/NJNDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Jersey Nets

| score1 = 80

| score2 = 95

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 19–18 | Q2 = 27–16 | Q3 = 11–27| Q4 = 23–34

| points1 = Jefferson, Martin 19 each | points2 = Billups, Hamilton 28 each

| rebounds1 = Jason Collins 10 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 11

| assist1 = Jason Kidd 11 | assist2 = Chauncey Billups 13

| referee = Dan Crawford, Joe DeRosa, David Jones

| attendance = 22,076

| series=Detroit leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 9

| time =3:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040509/DETNJN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 64

| score2 = 82

| team2 = New Jersey Nets

| place = Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 13–31 | Q2 = 25–16 | Q3 = 14–19 | Q4 = 12–16

| points1 = Hamilton, B. Wallace 15 each | points2 = Richard Jefferson 30

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 24 | rebounds2 = Kenyon Martin 9

| assist1 = Ben Wallace 4 | assist2 = Jason Kidd 12

| referee = Ron Garretson, Ken Mauer, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 19,000

| series=Detroit leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 11

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040511/DETNJN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 79

| score2 = 94

| team2 = New Jersey Nets

| place = Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 18–21 | Q2 = 22–26 | Q3 = 16–30 | Q4 = 23–17

| points1 = Richard Hamilton 30 | points2 = Jason Kidd 22

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 15 | rebounds2 = Kenyon Martin 15

| assist1 = Chauncey Billups 5 | assist2 = Jason Kidd 11

| referee = Bob Delaney, Scott Foster, Steve Javie

| attendance = 19,860

| series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 14

| time =7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040514/NJNDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Jersey Nets

| score1 = 127

| score2 = 120

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| overtime = 3OT

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 25–19 | Q2 = 18–25 | Q3 = 20–18 | Q4 = 25–26 | OT= 11–11, 12–12, 16–9

| points1 = Richard Jefferson 31 | points2 = Chauncey Billups 31

| rebounds1 = Jefferson, Kittles 11 each | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 11

| assist1 = Jason Kidd 8 | assist2 = Richard Hamilton 11

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Sean Corbin, Greg Willard

| attendance = 22,076

| series=New Jersey leads series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 16

| time =6:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040516/DETNJN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 75

| team2 = New Jersey Nets

| place = Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 23–25 | Q2 = 27–11 | Q3 = 10–21| Q4 = 21–18

| points1 = Richard Hamilton 24 | points2 = Richard Jefferson 23

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 20 | rebounds2 = Jefferson, Martin 7 each

| assist1 = Richard Hamilton 4 | assist2 = Jason Kidd 8

| referee = Bob Delaney, Scott Foster, Steve Javie

| attendance = 19,968

| series=Series tied, 3–3

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 20

| time =8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040520/NJNDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = New Jersey Nets

| score1 = 69

| score2 = 90

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 14–21 | Q2 = 17–22 | Q3 = 19–30 | Q4 = 19–17

| points1 = Kerry Kittles 18 | points2 = Chauncey Billups 22

| rebounds1 = Kenyon Martin 12 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 8

| assist1 = Jason Kidd 7 | assist2 = Chauncey Billups 7

| referee = Dan Crawford, Ron Garretson, Eddie F. Rush

| attendance = 22,076

| series = Detroit wins series, 4–3

}}

• In Game 5, Chauncey Billups hits a half court buzzer beater to send the game to OT. 12 years later, Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors would do the same in Game 1 against the Miami Heat in their second round matchup.

This was the third playoff meeting between these two teams, with each team winning one series apiece.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 4

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040504/SACMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Sacramento Kings

| score1 = 104

| score2 = 98

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 34–27 | Q2 = 14–20 | Q3 = 25–26 | Q4 = 31–25

| points1 = Mike Bibby 33 | points2 = Sam Cassell 40

| rebounds1 = Brad Miller 10 | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 18

| assist1 = Mike Bibby 7 | assist2 = Kevin Garnett 7

| referee = Dan Crawford, Bob Delaney, Monty McCutchen

| attendance = 18,792

| series=Sacramento leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 8

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040508/SACMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Sacramento Kings

| score1 = 89

| score2 = 94

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 12–17 | Q2 = 27–32 | Q3 = 31–24 | Q4 = 19–21

| points1 = Peja Stojaković 26 | points2 = Kevin Garnett 28

| rebounds1 = Brad Miller 11 | rebounds2 = Garnett, Johnson 11 each

| assist1 = Mike Bibby 8 | assist2 = Sam Cassell 7

| referee = Mike Callahan, Sean Corbin, Eddie F. Rush

| attendance = 19,599

| series=Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 10

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040510/MINSAC/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 114

| score2 = 113

| overtime = OT

| team2 = Sacramento Kings

| place = ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 22–18 | Q2 = 24–28 | Q3 = 33–23 | Q4 = 25–35 | OT = 10–9

| points1 = Kevin Garnett 30 | points2 = Peja Stojaković 29

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 15 | rebounds2 = Doug Christie 12

| assist1 = Latrell Sprewell 6 | assist2 = Mike Bibby 10

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Tony Brothers, Jim Clark

| attendance = 17,317

| series=Minnesota leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 12

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040512/MINSAC/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 87

| team2 = Sacramento Kings

| place = ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 15–21 | Q2 = 16–21 | Q3 = 26–17 | Q4 = 24–28

| points1 = Kevin Garnett 19 | points2 = Chris Webber 28

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 21 | rebounds2 = Chris Webber 8

| assist1 = Cassell, Garnett 6 each | assist2 = Mike Bibby 12

| referee = James Capers, Bernie Fryer, Jack Nies

| attendance = 17,317

| series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 14

| time = 9:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040514/SACMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Sacramento Kings

| score1 = 74

| score2 = 86

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 18–18 | Q2 = 16–20 | Q3 = 23–26 | Q4 = 17–22

| points1 = Mike Bibby 14 | points2 = Latrell Sprewell 34

| rebounds1 = Brad Miller 10 | rebounds2 = Mark Madsen 13

| assist1 = Mike Bibby 6 | assist2 = Sam Cassell 7

| referee = Steve Javie, Blane Reichelt, Derrick Stafford

| attendance = 19,318

| series=Minnesota leads series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 16

| time = 3:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040516/MINSAC/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 87

| score2 = 104

| team2 = Sacramento Kings

| place = ARCO Arena, Sacramento, California

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 30–24 | Q2 = 14–33 | Q3 = 19–21 | Q4 = 24–26

| points1 = Latrell Sprewell 27 | points2 = Peja Stojaković 22

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 10 | rebounds2 = Peja Stojaković 8

| assist1 = Kevin Garnett 5 | assist2 = Mike Bibby 10

| referee = Dan Crawford, Joe DeRosa, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 17,317

| series=Series tied, 3–3

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 19

| time = 8:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040519/SACMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Sacramento Kings

| score1 = 80

| score2 = 83

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 16–22 | Q2 = 15–19 | Q3 = 29–21 | Q4 = 20–21

| points1 = Doug Christie 21 | points2 = Kevin Garnett 32

| rebounds1 = three players 8 each | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 21

| assist1 = Mike Bibby 8 | assist2 = Sam Cassell 7

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Bennett Salvatore, Tom Washington

| attendance = 19,944

| series = Minnesota wins series, 4–3

}}

This was the first playoff meeting between the Timberwolves and the Kings.{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/rivals.cgi?request=1&team_id=MIN&opp_id=SAC&is_playoffs=Y|title=Team Rivalry Finder — Minnesota Timberwolves versus Sacramento Kings (Playoffs)|publisher=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 15, 2016}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 2

| time = 2:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040502/LALSAS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 78

| score2 = 88

| team2 = San Antonio Spurs

| place = SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 14–21 | Q2 = 19–20 | Q3 = 32–21 | Q4 = 13–26

| points1 = Kobe Bryant 31 | points2 = Tim Duncan 30

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 13 | rebounds2 = Tim Duncan 11

| assist1 = Karl Malone 5 | assist2 = Tony Parker 9

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Tony Brothers, Jim Clark

| attendance = 18,797

| series=San Antonio leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 5

| time = 9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040505/LALSAS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 85

| score2 = 95

| team2 = San Antonio Spurs

| place = SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 17–33 | Q2 = 28–28 | Q3 = 23–12 | Q4 = 17–22

| points1 = Shaquille O'Neal 32 | points2 = Tony Parker 30

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 15 | rebounds2 = Bowen, Duncan 7 each

| assist1 = Kobe Bryant 8 | assist2 = Manu Ginóbili 6

| referee = Scott Foster, Bernie Fryer, Greg Willard

| attendance = 18,797

| series=San Antonio leads series, 2–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 9

| time = 12:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040509/SASLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = San Antonio Spurs

| score1 = 81

| score2 = 105

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 16–28 | Q2 = 16–14 | Q3 = 26–33 | Q4 = 23–30

| points1 = Manu Ginóbili 17 | points2 = Shaquille O'Neal 28

| rebounds1 = Tim Duncan 13 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 15

| assist1 = Tony Parker 5 | assist2 = Gary Payton 7

| referee = Steve Javie, Jack Nies, Blane Reichelt

| attendance = 18,997

| series=San Antonio leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 11

| time = 10:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040511/SASLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = San Antonio Spurs

| score1 = 90

| score2 = 98

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 27–21 | Q2 = 26–22 | Q3 = 16–31| Q4 = 21–24

| points1 = Manu Ginóbili 21 | points2 = Kobe Bryant 42

| rebounds1 = Tim Duncan 10 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 14

| assist1 = Duncan, Parker 8 each | assist2 = Karl Malone 6

| referee = Monty McCutchen, Bennett Salvatore, Tom Washington

| attendance = 18,997

| series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 13

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040513/LALSAS/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 74

| score2 = 73

| team2 = San Antonio Spurs

| place = SBC Center, San Antonio, Texas

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 24–18 | Q2 = 18–17 | Q3 = 20–18 | Q4 = 12–20

| points1 = Kobe Bryant 22 | points2 = Tim Duncan 21

| rebounds1 = Karl Malone 12 | rebounds2 = Tim Duncan 21

| assist1 = Gary Payton 7 | assist2 = Tony Parker 6

| referee = Dan Crawford, Joe Forte, Ron Garretson

| attendance = 18,797

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 15

| time = 7:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040515/SASLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = San Antonio Spurs

| score1 = 76

| score2 = 88

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 21–23 | Q2 = 18–16 | Q3 = 13–17| Q4 = 24–32

| points1 = Tim Duncan 20 | points2 = Kobe Bryant 26

| rebounds1 = Tim Duncan 11 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 19

| assist1 = Manu Ginóbili 4 | assist2 = Bryant, Payton 7 each

| referee = Mike Callahan, Ken Mauer, Eddie F. Rush

| attendance = 18,997

| series = LA Lakers win series, 4–2

}}

In the final seconds of Game 5, Tim Duncan hits a fadeaway shot over Shaquille O'Neal to give the Spurs the lead, but with 0.4 seconds left, Derek Fisher off the inbounds pass hits a miracle buzzer beater to give the Lakers the victory.

This was the tenth playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning six of the first nine meetings.

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 22

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040522/DETIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 74

| score2 = 78

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 26–22 | Q2 = 15–26 | Q3 = 17–13 | Q4 = 16–17

| points1 = Richard Hamilton 23 | points2 = Jermaine O'Neal 21

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 22 | rebounds2 = Jermaine O'Neal 14

| assist1 = Ben Wallace 5 | assist2 = Jamaal Tinsley 5

| referee = Mike Callahan, Bernie Fryer, Ken Mauer

| attendance = 18,345

| series=Indiana leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 24

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040524/DETIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 72

| score2 = 67

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 12–17 | Q2 = 25–26 | Q3 = 18–11 | Q4 = 17–13

| points1 = Richard Hamilton 23 | points2 = Reggie Miller 21

| rebounds1 = three players 8 each | rebounds2 = Jeff Foster 9

| assist1 = Chauncey Billups 6 | assist2 = Anthony Johnson 4

| referee = Jim Clark, Bennett Salvatore, Tom Washington

| attendance = 18,345

| series=Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 26

| time = 8:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040526/INDDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| score1 = 78

| score2 = 85

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 14–27 | Q2 = 16–9 | Q3 = 15–20 | Q4 = 33–29

| points1 = Jermaine O'Neal 24 | points2 = Hamilton, R. Wallace 20 each

| rebounds1 = Jermaine O'Neal 9 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 16

| assist1 = Jamaal Tinsley 4 | assist2 = Chauncey Billups 8

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Eddie Rush, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 22,076

| series=Detroit leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 28

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040528/INDDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| score1 = 83

| score2 = 68

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 29–17 | Q2 = 20–22 | Q3 = 21–11 | Q4 = 13–18

| points1 = Ron Artest 20 | points2 = Richard Hamilton 22

| rebounds1 = Jermaine O'Neal 13 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 19

| assist1 = Jamaal Tinsley 5 | assist2 = Chauncey Billups 5

| referee = Joe Crawford, Bob Delaney, Greg Willard

| attendance = 22,076

| series=Series tied, 2–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 30

| time = 7:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040530/DETIND/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 83

| score2 = 65

| team2 = Indiana Pacers

| place = Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

| TV = ESPN

| Q1 = 25–17 | Q2 = 16–19 | Q3 = 21–17 | Q4 = 21–12

| points1 = Richard Hamilton 33 | points2 = Artest, Jones 13 each

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 12 | rebounds2 = Ron Artest 11

| assist1 = Chauncey Billups 7 | assist2 = Jamaal Tinsley 5

| referee = Joe DeRosa, Ron Garretson, Steve Javie

| attendance = 18,345

| series=Detroit leads series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = June 1

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040601/INDDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Indiana Pacers

| score1 = 65

| score2 = 69

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ESPN

| series = Detroit wins series, 4–2

| Q1 = 23–11 | Q2 = 10–16 | Q3 = 17–19 | Q4 = 15–23

| points1 = Jermaine O'Neal 20 | points2 = Richard Hamilton 21

| rebounds1 = Artest, O'Neal 10 each | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 16

| assist1 = Anthony Johnson 7 | assist2 = Richard Hamilton 5

| referee = Mike Callahan, Dan Crawford, Jack Nies

| attendance = 22,076

}}

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Pistons winning the first meeting.

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee

| date = May 21

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040521/LALMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 97

| score2 = 88

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 23–24 | Q2 = 23–20 | Q3 = 32–23 | Q4 = 19–21

| points1 = Shaquille O'Neal 27 | points2 = Latrell Sprewell 23

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 18 | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 10

| assist1 = Bryant, Fisher 6 each | assist2 = Sam Cassell 8

| referee = Joe Crawford, Bob Delaney, Greg Willard

| attendance = 19,552

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 23

| time = 7:30 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040523/LALMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 71

| score2 = 89

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 24–32 | Q2 = 13–19 | Q3 = 19–17 | Q4 = 15–21

| points1 = Kobe Bryant 27 | points2 = Kevin Garnett 24

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 16 | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 11

| assist1 = Kobe Bryant 6 | assist2 = Latrell Sprewell 8

| referee = Joe DeRosa, Steve Javie, Bill Spooner

| attendance = 19,707

| series=Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 25

| time = 6:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040525/MINLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 89

| score2 = 100

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 17–24 | Q2 = 18–20 | Q3 = 30–26 | Q4 = 24–30

| points1 = Kevin Garnett 22 | points2 = Bryant, O'Neal 22 each

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 11 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 17

| assist1 = Kevin Garnett 7 | assist2 = Gary Payton 9

| referee = Dan Crawford, Ron Garretson, Derrick Stafford

| attendance = 18,997

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 27

| time = 6:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040527/MINLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 85

| score2 = 92

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 24–23 | Q2 = 16–22 | Q3 = 20–30 | Q4 = 25–17

| points1 = Kevin Garnett 28 | points2 = Kobe Bryant 31

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 13 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 19

| assist1 = Kevin Garnett 9 | assist2 = Kobe Bryant 8

| referee = Mike Callahan, Bernie Fryer, Jack Nies

| attendance = 18,997

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = May 29

| time = 8:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040529/LALMIN/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 96

| score2 = 98

| team2 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| place = Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 21–14 | Q2 = 19–32 | Q3 = 23–27| Q4 = 33–25

| points1 = Kobe Bryant 23 | points2 = Kevin Garnett 30

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 13 | rebounds2 = Kevin Garnett 19

| assist1 = Kobe Bryant 7 | assist2 = Latrell Sprewell 5

| referee = Jim Clark, Bennett Salvatore, Tom Washington

| attendance = 20,109

| series=LA Lakers lead series, 3–2

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = May 31

| time = 6:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040531/MINLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Minnesota Timberwolves

| score1 = 90

| score2 = 96

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = TNT

| Q1 = 17–28 | Q2 = 29–20 | Q3 = 22–19 | Q4 = 22–29

| points1 = Latrell Sprewell 27 | points2 = Shaquille O'Neal 25

| rebounds1 = Kevin Garnett 17 | rebounds2 = Shaquille O'Neal 11

| assist1 = Sprewell, Martin 5 each | assist2 = Gary Payton 8

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Ken Mauer, Eddie Rush

| attendance = 18,997

| series = LA Lakers win series, 4–2

}}

This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning the first meeting.

{{main article|2004 NBA Finals}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = June 6

| time = 9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040606/DETLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 87

| score2 = 75

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 22–19 | Q2 = 18–22 | Q3 = 24–17 | Q4 = 23–17

| points1 = Chauncey Billups 22 | points2 = Shaquille O'Neal 34

| rebounds1 = B. Wallace, R. Wallace 8 each | rebounds2 = O'Neal, Malone 11 each

| assist1 = Richard Hamilton 5 | assist2 = Kobe Bryant 4

| referee = Joe Crawford, Bob Delaney, Bernie Fryer

| attendance = 18,997

| series=Detroit leads series, 1–0

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = June 8

| time = 9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040608/DETLAL/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Detroit Pistons

| score1 = 91

| score2 = 99

| team2 = Los Angeles Lakers

| overtime = OT

| place = Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 16–18 | Q2 = 20–26 | Q3 = 30–24 | Q4 = 23–21 | OT = 2–10

| points1 = Chauncey Billups 27 | points2 = Kobe Bryant 33

| rebounds1 = Ben Wallace 14 | rebounds2 = Karl Malone 9

| assist1 = Chauncey Billups 9 | assist2 = Luke Walton 8

| referee = Joe DeRosa, Steve Javie, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 18,997

| series=Series tied, 1–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = June 10

| time = 9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040610/LALDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 68

| score2 = 88

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 16–24 | Q2 = 16–15 | Q3 = 19–24 | Q4 = 17–25

| points1 = Shaquille O'Neal 14 | points2 = Richard Hamilton 31

| rebounds1 = O'Neal, Medvedenko 8 each | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 11

| assist1 = Gary Payton 7 | assist2 = three players 3 each

| referee = Mike Callahan, Dan Crawford, Ron Garretson

| attendance = 22,076

| series=Detroit leads series, 2–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#fff

| date = June 13

| time = 9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040613/LALDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 80

| score2 = 88

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 22–21 | Q2 = 17–20 | Q3 = 17–15 | Q4 = 24–32

| points1 = Shaquille O'Neal 36 | points2 = Rasheed Wallace 26

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 17 | rebounds2 = R. Wallace, B. Wallace 13 each

| assist1 = Rick Fox 6 | assist2 = Richard Hamilton 6

| referee = Dick Bavetta, Jack Nies, Eddie Rush

| attendance = 22,076

| series=Detroit leads series, 3–1

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =#eee

| date = June 15

| time = 9:00 pm

| report = [http://www.nba.com/games/20040615/LALDET/recap.html Recap]

| team1 = Los Angeles Lakers

| score1 = 87

| score2 = 100

| team2 = Detroit Pistons

| place = The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan

| TV = ABC

| Q1 = 24–25 | Q2 = 21–30 | Q3 = 14–27 | Q4 = 28–18

| points1 = Kobe Bryant 24 | points2 = Richard Hamilton 21

| rebounds1 = Shaquille O'Neal 8 | rebounds2 = Ben Wallace 22

| assist1 = Luke Walton 5 | assist2 = Chauncey Billups 6

| referee = Joe Crawford, Bernie Fryer, Bennett Salvatore

| attendance = 22,076

| series = Detroit wins series, 4–1

}}

• In Game 2, Kobe Bryant hits the game-tying 3 with 2.1 seconds left to force OT.
• Game 4 is Karl Malone's final NBA game.

This was the 12th playoff meeting between these two teams, with the Lakers winning nine of the first 11 meetings.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050207100551/http://www.nba.com/playoffs2004/ataglance.html NBA.com's section for the 2004 NBA Playoffs]

{{NBAPlayoffs}}

{{2003–04 NBA season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2004 Nba Playoffs}}

Category:NBA playoffs

Playoffs

fi:NBA-kausi 2003–2004#Pudotuspelit