The 2004–05 Detroit Pistons season was the 64th season of the franchise, the 57th in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the 48th in the Detroit area. The Pistons began the season as defending NBA Champions. After a lackluster start to the year that saw their entire season marred by a late November brawl with the Indiana Pacers, the Pistons eventually finished first overall in the Central Division, and second overall in the Eastern Conference. They narrowly missed out on repeating as NBA champions, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2005 NBA Finals in seven games.

After the Finals defeat, Larry Brown was fired after spending only two seasons as head coach of the Detroit Pistons. He would later be the head coach of his hometown New York Knicks, but after winning only 23 games in his only season in New York, Brown was fired again. It was later announced in the off-season that Flip Saunders, who was fired as head coach of the Timberwolves mid-season, would be the Pistons head coach for next season.

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Last Playoffs meeting: 2003 Eastern Conference Semifinals (Detroit won 4–2)

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

Last Playoffs meeting: 2004 Eastern Conference Finals (Detroit won 4–2)

(1) Miami Heat vs. (2) Detroit Pistons

Last Playoffs meeting: 2000 Eastern Conference First Round (Miami won 3–0)

(W2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (E2) Detroit Pistons

Last Playoffs Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Spurs and Pistons.

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