The 1986-87 Pistons were led in scoring by Adrian Dantley (21.5 ppg), who had been picked up from Utah in a trade for Kelly Tripucka and Kent Benson. Dantley was still an offensive force, even though he was nearing the end of a career that would land him among the NBA's top 10 all-time scorers. The dominating backcourt of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars was supported by Vinnie "Microwave" Johnson, who was sent into games to provide instant offense. The Pistons were also becoming known for their tough defense and physical play, which earned them the nickname "the Bad Boys."

The team finished the regular season at 52-30, and for the first time in decades the Pistons advanced deep into the playoffs. They eliminated Washington and Atlanta in the early rounds, then put Boston on the ropes in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the pivotal Game 5 at Boston Garden, Detroit had a one-point lead and possession of the ball with five seconds left. But Boston's Larry Bird stole an inbounds pass from Thomas and fed teammate Dennis Johnson for a layup and a stunning victory. Detroit won Game 6, but the Celtics prevailed in Game 7, 117-114, to advance.

In 1987-88 Detroit posted a 54-28 record to claim a Central Division championship for the first time in team history. Dantley paced the team in scoring, followed by Thomas, Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Johnson. Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and Rick Mahorn each grabbed more than 565 rebounds. The deep and talented Pistons rumbled through playoff encounters with Washington, Chicago, and Boston to claim the Eastern Conference championship before meeting Los Angeles in the 1988 NBA Finals.

Detroit split two games in Los Angeles, then won two of three at home to take a three-games-to-two lead back to Los Angeles. The Lakers won Game 6, 103-102, despite a heroic effort from Thomas. The All-Star guard recorded 6 steals and set a Finals record by scoring 25 points in a single quarter. His 43-point total for the game is tied for the eighth highest in Finals history. In the process, however, he sprained his ankle and was not effective in the climactic Game 7-which Los Angeles won, 108-105, to claim a second straight title. The Lakers were the first team to win back-to-back championships since the Celtics in 1968-69.