Last Updated on September 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

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The Detroit Pistons 1995–96 centered their offense around Grant Hill, whose scoring, playmaking, and rebounding made him the team’s clear all-around leader. Allan Houston complemented him as a reliable perimeter scorer, while Otis Thorpe provided efficient interior production and strong rebounding. The statistics indicate a balanced offensive approach with multiple contributors, solid work on the glass, and dependable inside defense, although much of Detroit’s offensive creation depended on Hill’s versatile impact.

Roster

NO. PLAYER NAME POS HT WT DATE OF BIRTH COLLEGE
1 Lindsey Hunter PG 6-2 170 December 3, 1970 Alcorn State, Jackson State University
2 Mark Macon PG 6-5 185 April 14, 1969 Temple
3 Lou Roe SF 6-7 220 July 14, 1972 UMass
4 Joe Dumars PG 6-3 190 May 24, 1963 McNeese State University
6 Terry Mills PF 6-10 230 December 21, 1967 Michigan
12 Michael Curry SG 6-5 210 August 22, 1968 Georgia Southern University
20 Allan Houston SG 6-6 200 April 20, 1971 Tennessee
25 Steve Bardo SG 6-5 190 April 5, 1968 Illinois
33 Grant Hill SF 6-8 225 October 5, 1972 Duke
41 Mark West C 6-10 230 November 5, 1960 Old Dominion
42 Theo Ratliff C 6-10 225 April 17, 1973 Wyoming
45 Eric Leckner C 6-11 265 May 27, 1966 Wyoming
50 Otis Thorpe PF 6-10 248 August 5, 1962 Providence
52 Don Reid PF 6-8 250 December 30, 1973 Georgetown

Regular Season Per Game

Player Pos Age GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Grant Hill SF 23 80 80 40.8 20.2 9.8 6.9 1.3 0.6 3.3 15.3 7.1 .462 0.3 0.1 .192 8.1 6.1 .751
Allan Houston SG 24 82 75 37.5 19.7 3.7 3.0 0.7 0.2 2.8 15.2 6.9 .453 5.5 2.3 .427 4.4 3.6 .823
Otis Thorpe PF 33 82 82 34.6 14.2 8.4 1.9 0.6 0.5 2.4 10.4 5.5 .530 0.0 0.0 .000 4.4 3.1 .710
Joe Dumars PG 32 67 40 32.7 11.8 2.1 4.0 0.6 0.0 1.4 8.9 3.8 .426 4.4 1.8 .406 2.9 2.4 .822
Terry Mills PF 28 82 5 20.2 9.4 4.3 1.2 0.5 0.2 1.2 8.2 3.5 .419 2.5 1.0 .396 1.9 1.5 .771
Lindsey Hunter PG 25 80 48 26.7 8.5 2.4 2.4 1.1 0.2 1.0 7.9 3.0 .381 3.6 1.5 .405 1.5 1.1 .700
Theo Ratliff C 22 75 2 17.4 4.5 4.0 0.2 0.2 1.5 0.7 3.1 1.7 .557 0.0 0.0 .000 1.6 1.1 .708
Don Reid PF 22 69 46 14.4 3.8 2.9 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.6 2.7 1.5 .567 0.0 0.0   1.1 0.7 .662
Michael Curry SG 27 41 1 18.3 4.9 2.0 0.6 0.6 0.0 0.6 3.7 1.7 .464 1.2 0.5 .400 1.4 1.0 .707
Mark West C 35 47 21 14.5 3.2 2.8 0.1 0.1 0.8 0.7 2.7 1.3 .484 0.0 0.0   1.0 0.6 .622
Lou Roe SF 23 49 2 7.6 1.8 1.6 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 1.8 0.7 .356 0.2 0.0 .222 0.7 0.5 .750
Mark Macon PG 26 23 0 12.5 3.2 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.4 2.9 1.3 .433 0.7 0.3 .467 0.5 0.4 .818
Eric Leckner C 29 18 8 8.6 2.4 1.9 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.6 1.6 1.0 .621 0.0 0.0   0.7 0.4 .615
Steve Bardo SG 27 9 0 13.7 2.4 2.4 1.7 0.4 0.1 0.6 2.6 1.0 .391 0.4 0.0 .000 0.7 0.4 .667
Team Totals     82 82 241.8 95.4 40.5 19.6 6.2 4.3 14.8 74.7 34.3 .459 16.5 6.6 .404 26.9 20.2 .751

Playoff Per Game

Player Pos Age GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Allan Houston SG 24 3 3 45.3 25.0 2.7 2.0 0.0 0.3 3.7 19.3 8.3 .431 7.0 2.3 .333 6.7 6.0 .900
Grant Hill SF 23 3 3 38.3 19.0 7.3 3.7 1.0 0.0 2.7 13.0 7.3 .564 0.7 0.3 .500 4.7 4.0 .857
Joe Dumars PG 32 3 3 41.0 13.7 4.3 3.7 0.0 0.0 2.3 11.7 5.3 .457 4.7 1.7 .357 1.3 1.3 1.000
Otis Thorpe PF 33 3 3 33.7 11.7 11.7 2.3 0.0 0.0 2.3 8.0 4.3 .542 0.0 0.0   4.0 3.0 .750
Mark West C 35 3 3 26.0 9.3 5.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 7.0 3.7 .524 0.0 0.0   4.3 2.0 .462
Terry Mills PF 28 3 0 16.0 5.3 1.7 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 6.7 1.7 .250 2.7 0.3 .125 2.0 1.7 .833
Lindsey Hunter PG 25 2 0 18.0 3.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 4.0 1.0 .250 2.0 0.5 .250 1.0 0.5 .500
Michael Curry SG 27 3 0 14.3 2.0 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 2.3 1.0 .429 0.3 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0  
Don Reid PF 22 3 0 8.7 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.7 0.3 1.0 0.3 .333 0.0 0.0   1.0 0.3 .333
Theo Ratliff C 22 1 0 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0  
Lou Roe SF 23 2 0 3.5 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0  
Eric Leckner C 29 1 0 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0  
Team Totals     3 3 240.0 89.0 35.7 14.3 2.7 1.7 13.3 72.0 32.7 .454 16.7 5.0 .300 24.7 18.7 .757

Regular Season Per 36 Mins

Player Pos Age GP GS MP PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Grant Hill SF 23 80 80 3260 17.9 8.6 6.1 1.1 0.5 2.9 13.5 6.2 .462 0.3 0.1 .192 7.1 5.4 .751
Allan Houston SG 24 82 75 3072 18.9 3.5 2.9 0.7 0.2 2.7 14.6 6.6 .453 5.2 2.2 .427 4.2 3.5 .823
Otis Thorpe PF 33 82 82 2841 14.7 8.7 2.0 0.7 0.5 2.5 10.8 5.7 .530 0.1 0.0 .000 4.6 3.3 .710
Joe Dumars PG 32 67 40 2193 13.0 2.3 4.4 0.7 0.0 1.6 9.8 4.2 .426 4.9 2.0 .406 3.2 2.7 .822
Terry Mills PF 28 82 5 1656 16.7 7.7 2.1 0.9 0.4 2.1 14.7 6.2 .419 4.5 1.8 .396 3.4 2.6 .771
Lindsey Hunter PG 25 80 48 2138 11.4 3.3 3.2 1.4 0.3 1.3 10.6 4.0 .381 4.9 2.0 .405 2.0 1.4 .700
Theo Ratliff C 22 75 2 1305 9.4 8.2 0.4 0.4 3.2 1.5 6.3 3.5 .557 0.0 0.0 .000 3.3 2.3 .708
Don Reid PF 22 69 46 997 9.5 7.3 0.4 1.7 1.4 1.5 6.8 3.8 .567 0.0 0.0   2.8 1.8 .662
Michael Curry SG 27 41 1 749 9.7 3.8 1.2 1.1 0.1 1.1 7.3 3.4 .464 2.4 1.0 .400 2.8 2.0 .707
Mark West C 35 47 21 682 7.9 7.0 0.3 0.3 2.0 1.8 6.7 3.2 .484 0.0 0.0   2.4 1.5 .622
Lou Roe SF 23 49 2 372 8.7 7.5 1.5 1.0 0.8 1.6 8.7 3.1 .356 0.9 0.2 .222 3.1 2.3 .750
Mark Macon PG 26 23 0 287 9.3 2.8 2.0 1.9 0.0 1.1 8.4 3.6 .433 1.9 0.9 .467 1.4 1.1 .818
Eric Leckner C 29 18 8 155 10.2 7.9 0.2 0.5 0.9 2.6 6.7 4.2 .621 0.0 0.0   3.0 1.9 .615
Steve Bardo SG 27 9 0 123 6.4 6.4 4.4 1.2 0.3 1.5 6.7 2.6 .391 1.2 0.0 .000 1.8 1.2 .667

Playoff Per 36 Mins

Player Pos Age GP GS MP PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Allan Houston SG 24 3 3 136 19.9 2.1 1.6 0.0 0.3 2.9 15.4 6.6 .431 5.6 1.9 .333 5.3 4.8 .900
Grant Hill SF 23 3 3 115 17.8 6.9 3.4 0.9 0.0 2.5 12.2 6.9 .564 0.6 0.3 .500 4.4 3.8 .857
Joe Dumars PG 32 3 3 123 12.0 3.8 3.2 0.0 0.0 2.0 10.2 4.7 .457 4.1 1.5 .357 1.2 1.2 1.000
Otis Thorpe PF 33 3 3 101 12.5 12.5 2.5 0.0 0.0 2.5 8.6 4.6 .542 0.0 0.0   4.3 3.2 .750
Mark West C 35 3 3 78 12.9 7.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.9 9.7 5.1 .524 0.0 0.0   6.0 2.8 .462
Terry Mills PF 28 3 0 48 12.0 3.7 3.0 0.7 0.0 0.7 15.0 3.7 .250 6.0 0.7 .125 4.5 3.7 .833
Lindsey Hunter PG 25 2 0 36 6.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 4.0 2.0 .250 4.0 1.0 .250 2.0 1.0 .500
Michael Curry SG 27 3 0 43 5.0 2.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.0 5.9 2.5 .429 0.8 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0  
Don Reid PF 22 3 0 26 4.2 1.4 1.4 0.0 2.8 1.4 4.2 1.4 .333 0.0 0.0   4.2 1.4 .333
Lou Roe SF 23 2 0 7 0.0 10.3 0.0 5.1 0.0 0.0 5.1 0.0 .000 0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0  
Theo Ratliff C 22 1 0 4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0  
Eric Leckner C 29 1 0 3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0   0.0 0.0  

Regular Season Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS MP PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Grant Hill SF 23 80 80 3260 1618 783 548 100 48 263 1221 564 .462 26 5 .192 646 485 .751
Allan Houston SG 24 82 75 3072 1617 300 250 61 16 233 1244 564 .453 447 191 .427 362 298 .823
Otis Thorpe PF 33 82 82 2841 1161 688 158 53 39 195 853 452 .530 4 0 .000 362 257 .710
Joe Dumars PG 32 67 40 2193 793 138 265 43 3 97 598 255 .426 298 121 .406 197 162 .822
Terry Mills PF 28 82 5 1656 769 352 98 42 20 98 675 283 .419 207 82 .396 157 121 .771
Lindsey Hunter PG 25 80 48 2138 679 194 188 84 18 80 628 239 .381 289 117 .405 120 84 .700
Theo Ratliff C 22 75 2 1305 341 297 13 16 116 56 230 128 .557 1 0 .000 120 85 .708
Don Reid PF 22 69 46 997 263 203 11 47 40 41 187 106 .567 0 0   77 51 .662
Michael Curry SG 27 41 1 749 201 80 26 23 2 23 151 70 .464 50 20 .400 58 41 .707
Mark West C 35 47 21 682 150 133 6 6 37 35 126 61 .484 0 0   45 28 .622
Lou Roe SF 23 49 2 372 90 78 15 10 8 17 90 32 .356 9 2 .222 32 24 .750
Mark Macon PG 26 23 0 287 74 22 16 15 0 9 67 29 .433 15 7 .467 11 9 .818
Eric Leckner C 29 18 8 155 44 34 1 2 4 11 29 18 .621 0 0   13 8 .615
Steve Bardo SG 27 9 0 123 22 22 15 4 1 5 23 9 .391 4 0 .000 6 4 .667
Team Totals     82 82 19830 7822 3324 1610 506 352 1163 6122 2810 .459 1350 545 .404 2206 1657 .751

Playoff Totals

Player Pos Age GP GS MP PTS TRB AST STL BLK TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Allan Houston SG 24 3 3 136 75 8 6 0 1 11 58 25 .431 21 7 .333 20 18 .900
Grant Hill SF 23 3 3 115 57 22 11 3 0 8 39 22 .564 2 1 .500 14 12 .857
Joe Dumars PG 32 3 3 123 41 13 11 0 0 7 35 16 .457 14 5 .357 4 4 1.000
Otis Thorpe PF 33 3 3 101 35 35 7 0 0 7 24 13 .542 0 0   12 9 .750
Mark West C 35 3 3 78 28 16 1 1 1 2 21 11 .524 0 0   13 6 .462
Terry Mills PF 28 3 0 48 16 5 4 1 0 1 20 5 .250 8 1 .125 6 5 .833
Michael Curry SG 27 3 0 43 6 3 1 1 1 0 7 3 .429 1 0 .000 0 0  
Lindsey Hunter PG 25 2 0 36 6 2 1 1 0 0 8 2 .250 4 1 .250 2 1 .500
Don Reid PF 22 3 0 26 3 1 1 0 2 1 3 1 .333 0 0   3 1 .333
Lou Roe SF 23 2 0 7 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0   0 0  
Theo Ratliff C 22 1 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0 0   0 0  
Eric Leckner C 29 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   0 0   0 0  
Team Totals     3 3 720 267 107 43 8 5 37 216 98 .454 50 15 .300 74 56 .757

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Grant Hill Primary Point-Forward Engine (1.1) 40.8 High (1.2) 20.2 9.8 6.9 1.9 102.43 Point-forward engine and Detroit’s clear offensive centerpiece, Hill was trusted to rebound, initiate and create rather than simply finish possessions. His blend of size and playmaking made him the matchup problem around which Doug Collins built the attack, and his second season established him as one of the league’s premier young stars. Contemporary Grant Hill coverage MVP voting: 9th, All-Star (1996), All-NBA Second Team (1996)
Allan Houston Primary Perimeter Scoring Threat (1.1) 37.5 High (1.2) 19.7 3.7 3.0 0.9 72.07 Primary perimeter scoring threat who gave Hill a crucial release valve on the wing. Houston’s 191 three-pointers were not just volume; his 42.7% accuracy made him one of Detroit’s most dangerous floor-spacers, forcing defenses to pay for excessive help on Hill and the interior game. Allan Houston 1995-96 shooting context —
Otis Thorpe Starting Interior Scoring Anchor (1.05) 34.6 Medium (1.1) 14.2 8.4 1.9 1.1 59.14 Starting interior scoring anchor, Thorpe supplied the veteran physicality Detroit wanted after acquiring him from Portland. He operated as a dependable low-post option and glass cleaner, allowing Hill to attack from the perimeter without forcing the young forward to shoulder every offensive possession. Otis Thorpe 1995-96 Pistons context —
Terry Mills Sixth-Man Stretch Frontcourt Scorer (1.0) 20.2 Medium (1.1) 9.4 4.3 1.2 0.7 34.32 Sixth-man stretch scorer whose shooting changed Detroit’s spacing whenever he entered. Mills could pull a larger defender away from the basket and still rebound from the power-forward spot, giving Collins a useful alternative to a more traditional interior lineup. Terry Mills Pistons coverage —
Joe Dumars Veteran Two-Way Backcourt Organizer (1.05) 32.7 Medium (1.1) 11.8 2.1 4.0 0.6 42.74 Veteran two-way backcourt organizer who adapted to a reduced scoring load while remaining one of Detroit’s most trusted decision-makers. Dumars spent part of the season coming off the bench, but his leadership, perimeter shooting and ability to settle possessions gave the developing Hill-Houston core an experienced stabilizer. Joe Dumars 1995-96 role coverage —
Lindsey Hunter Starting Point-of-Attack Guard (1.05) 26.7 Medium (1.05) 8.5 2.4 2.4 1.3 32.19 Point-of-attack guard who supplied perimeter pressure and spot-up shooting while Hill increasingly handled the creative burden. Hunter’s willingness to defend opposing guards and launch threes without needing many touches made him a natural complement to Detroit’s larger creators. Lindsey Hunter Pistons coverage —
Theo Ratliff Emerging Rim-Protection Specialist (1.0) 17.4 Low (1.0) 4.5 4.0 0.2 1.7 20.80 Emerging rim-protection specialist whose offensive assignment was simple: finish around the basket, screen and stay active on the glass. The rookie’s 1.5 blocks in just 17.4 minutes showed why Detroit viewed him as a genuine defensive prospect rather than merely another reserve center. Theo Ratliff rookie-season context —
Michael Curry Defensive Utility Wing (1.0) 18.3 Low (1.0) 4.9 2.0 0.6 0.6 16.20 Defensive utility wing who joined Detroit midway through the season and quickly provided another physical perimeter defender. Curry was not asked to create offense; his value was tied to guarding, competing and making the simple play while Hill and Houston carried the scoring burden. Michael Curry career and Pistons context —
Don Reid Interior Energy Forward (1.0) 14.4 Low (1.0) 3.8 2.9 0.2 1.3 16.40 Interior energy forward who earned 46 starts despite a tiny offensive role, largely because Detroit needed his size, physical rebounding and defensive activity alongside its scoring-oriented forwards. Reid’s efficient finishing kept his limited possessions useful, while his willingness to absorb physical assignments helped the rotation. Don Reid independent Pistons discussion —
Mark West Veteran Rim-Defense Reserve (1.0) 14.5 Low (1.0) 3.2 2.8 0.1 0.9 14.00 Veteran rim-defense reserve whose role was built around screening, rebounding and protecting the paint in short stretches. West brought more than a decade of NBA experience to a young Detroit rotation, giving Collins a dependable physical presence behind Thorpe and the developing Ratliff. Mark West retrospective basketball coverage —
Steve Bardo Emergency Perimeter Connector (1.0) 13.7 Low (1.0) 2.4 2.4 1.7 0.5 14.00 Emergency perimeter connector who appeared in only nine games, but his passing and willingness to move the ball gave Detroit functional depth when the regular backcourt needed help. His role was strictly situational rather than developmental as a featured scorer. Limited contemporary season-specific coverage was available. Steve Bardo basketball context —
Mark Macon Backup Ball-Handling Reserve (1.0) 12.5 Low (1.0) 3.2 1.0 0.7 0.7 11.20 Backup ball-handling reserve used to keep the offense organized when Detroit’s primary guards rested. Macon’s opportunity was limited by the presence of Dumars and Hunter, leaving him primarily responsible for short stretches of perimeter depth rather than sustained creation. Limited independent coverage of his Detroit season was available. Mark Macon retrospective coverage —
Eric Leckner Deep-Court Size Reserve (1.0) 8.6 Low (1.0) 2.4 1.9 0.1 0.3 9.40 Deep-court size reserve who provided Detroit with another legitimate center body when Collins needed additional length. His minutes were sporadic, and his role was primarily screening, occupying the paint and absorbing physical center minutes behind West and Ratliff. Limited contemporary season-specific reporting was available. Eric Leckner basketball retrospective —
Lou Roe Developmental Wing Reserve (1.0) 7.6 Low (1.0) 1.8 1.6 0.3 0.4 8.20 Developmental wing reserve whose athleticism offered some transition and defensive potential, but his opportunities were restricted behind Hill and the established veteran perimeter rotation. Roe’s limited minutes made him more of a developmental piece than a reliable offensive contributor. Limited independent season-specific reporting was available. Lou Roe retrospective basketball coverage —
Team Totals — 241.8 — 95.4 40.5 19.6 12.9 453.09 Detroit’s 1995-96 regular-season identity centered on Hill’s all-around creation, Houston’s perimeter scoring, Thorpe’s interior stability and a defense that benefited from veteran experience plus Ratliff’s emerging shot-blocking. The Pistons returned to the playoffs after a three-year absence. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Grant Hill Primary Point-Forward Engine (1.1) 38.3 High (1.2) 19.0 7.3 3.7 1.0 81.84 Primary point-forward engine who had to create against Orlando’s long, athletic defense while also carrying Detroit’s rebounding load. Hill opened the series with 21 points and 11 rebounds, but Orlando repeatedly forced Detroit into difficult half-court possessions; the Magic’s three-game sweep was sealed after they outscored Detroit by 29 points across the three third quarters. (Spokesman-Review) —
Allan Houston Primary Perimeter Scoring Engine (1.1) 45.3 High (1.2) 25.0 2.7 2.0 0.3 79.20 Primary perimeter scoring engine and Detroit’s most reliable source of shot creation in the series. Houston’s 33-point effort in Game 3 nearly dragged the Pistons to a win, while his 23 points in Game 2 kept Detroit competitive despite Orlando’s defensive pressure. He was asked to take difficult volume from outside, finishing the series at 25 points per game. (Spokesman-Review) —
Otis Thorpe Starting Interior Rebounding Anchor (1.05) 33.7 Medium (1.1) 11.7 11.7 2.3 0.0 59.37 Starting interior rebounding anchor who gave Detroit its strongest answer to Orlando’s size. Thorpe grabbed 16 rebounds in Game 2 and 13 more in the elimination game, but the matchup still exposed Detroit’s difficulty containing Orlando’s frontcourt length. His work on the offensive glass kept possessions alive when the Pistons’ perimeter attack stalled. (Spokesman-Review) —
Joe Dumars Veteran Playoff Floor Organizer (1.05) 41.0 Medium (1.1) 13.7 4.3 3.7 0.0 50.13 Veteran playoff floor organizer who absorbed huge minutes and increasingly functioned as Detroit’s secondary creator behind Hill. Dumars produced seven assists in the deciding Game 3, helping keep Detroit organized during its fourth-quarter comeback, although Orlando’s size and defensive activity limited his scoring efficiency across the series. (Spokesman-Review) —
Mark West Veteran Interior Defensive Presence (1.05) 26.0 Medium (1.1) 9.3 5.3 0.3 0.6 35.81 Veteran interior defensive presence who started all three games and was used to give Detroit another body against Shaquille O’Neal. West’s value was mostly physical and positional, with his minutes climbing as Detroit searched for ways to withstand Orlando’s frontcourt pressure. His role was especially important in a series where Orlando repeatedly won the battle around the rim. (Spokesman-Review) —
Terry Mills Stretch-Big Scoring Reserve (1.0) 16.0 Low (1.0) 5.3 1.7 1.3 0.3 17.20 Stretch-big scoring reserve whose shooting was supposed to punish Orlando for loading the paint, but the matchup never gave Mills much rhythm. He attempted only 20 shots across three games and shot poorly from three, while Detroit increasingly leaned on Hill, Houston, Dumars and its interior veterans for the heavy minutes. (Spokesman-Review) —
Lindsey Hunter Perimeter Pressure Reserve (1.0) 18.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 10.00 Perimeter pressure reserve who was pushed into a smaller role as Detroit shortened its rotation. Hunter’s defensive responsibilities remained useful, but Orlando’s size made his offensive limitations more noticeable, and he managed only six points across two appearances. The series offered little opportunity for him to establish an offensive rhythm. (Spokesman-Review) —
Michael Curry Defensive Matchup Wing (1.0) 14.3 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.0 0.3 0.6 7.80 Defensive matchup wing used for physical perimeter minutes rather than offensive creation. Curry’s role was particularly situational against Orlando’s collection of long wings and guards, and his best stretch came in Game 2 when he added a steal and block while helping Detroit’s reserve group survive difficult minutes. (Spokesman-Review) —
Don Reid Interior Hustle Reserve (1.0) 8.7 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.7 4.60 Interior hustle reserve whose playoff assignment was essentially to provide size, fouls and energy behind Thorpe and West. Reid’s minutes were limited, but his physical role mattered in a series where Orlando’s frontcourt created constant pressure around the basket. Independent contemporary coverage of his individual playoff role was limited. (Spokesman-Review) —
Lou Roe Athletic Development Reserve (1.0) 3.5 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.5 3.00 Athletic development reserve who saw only seven total minutes in the first two games and was essentially outside Detroit’s primary playoff rotation. His job was to provide fresh legs and athleticism when the game situation allowed it, rather than to carry any meaningful offensive responsibility. Limited independent contemporary coverage of Roe’s specific playoff role was available. —
Theo Ratliff Emerging Rim-Protection Reserve (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Emerging rim-protection reserve whose athletic defensive profile had not yet translated into meaningful playoff minutes. Ratliff appeared for only four minutes in the series, reflecting Detroit’s preference for the veteran combination of Thorpe and West against Orlando’s enormous front line. Limited independent contemporary coverage of his individual playoff role was available. —
Eric Leckner Deep-Court Veteran Reserve (1.0) 3.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Deep-court veteran reserve used only briefly as Detroit searched for additional size against Orlando. Leckner played three minutes in the series, making his role almost entirely situational; the Pistons instead relied on Thorpe and West for the bulk of their interior workload. Limited independent contemporary coverage of his specific playoff role was available. —
Team Totals — 240.0 — 89.0 35.7 14.3 4.4 298.93 Detroit was swept 3-0 by Orlando in the Eastern Conference First Round, with the Magic repeatedly separating themselves after halftime. The Pistons averaged 89.0 points in the series and were outscored 87-58 in the third quarters, a useful snapshot of where the matchup tilted away from Detroit. (Spokesman-Review) —