As the Eastern Conference Semifinal series between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons approaches, much will be made of the hard-fought series between the two teams in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The bad boy Pistons defeated the Michael Jordan-led Bulls three straight seasons before the Bulls broke through and began their run of titles. However, that wasn’t the start of the Bulls-Pistons rivalry. The enduring hostility was sparked between the teams during a 1974 playoff series, and it has set the rather tense tone for the two ever since.

Although it’s no secret in these parts that the early 1970s were a golden era for basketball, the glory extends well beyond the Knicks’ two title teams. The Wilt Chamberlain-Jerry West-Gail Goodrich Lakers were at their peak, as were the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-Oscar Robertson Bucks and the John Havlicek-Dave Cowens-Paul Silas-Don Nelson Celtics. Those were great teams and each had a season in which it won 66 games or more. Lurking just below this top tier was a fierce battle for secondary status in the Midwest Division, where several teams vied for the right to be “next in line” for the upper echelon.

The Midwest was the NBA’s toughest division. In 1971, Detroit finished in last place with a 45–37 record, well behind Phoenix, Chicago, and Milwaukee. When the Suns were moved to the Pacific Division, the up-and-coming Kansas City-Omaha Kings took the team’s place. Teams from both coasts dreaded trips to the Midwest — not only were the teams strong, but they played a brand of ball so physical that it was considered mean-spirited.

The Bulls were in the midst of four consecutive 50-win seasons in 1974 when Detroit challenged their spot in the hierarchy. Chicago — led by forwards Bob Love and Chet Walker and the backcourt duo of Jerry Sloan and Norm Van Lier — was widely regarded as the third-best team in the Western Conference, behind Milwaukee and Los Angeles. By 1974, the Bulls and their faithful had a sense that time was catching up to West, Chamberlain, and Robertson.

But that was only if the Pistons didn’t surge past them. With future Hall-of-Famers Bob Lanier and Dave Bing leading the way, and a defense even stingier than that of Chicago, the ‘74 Pistons soared to a 52–30 record, just two games behind Chicago, their Conference semifinal opponent.

The matchup pitted two similar teams, both slow paced and defense oriented; the Bulls finished third in Defensive Efficiency, points allowed per 100 possessions, and the Pistons second. (And yes, the Bucks ranked first.) A taut series seemed imminent, and the teams didn’t disappoint. The series went seven games, and five were decided by five points or fewer. The series was so physical that sportscasters only half jokingly referred to the teams as the Lions and the Bears. When Bing was injured on a hard foul in the pivotal game 5, a 98–94 Chicago win, the Pistons all but publicly vowed retaliation. Sloan was hurt in Game 6, which the Pistons won 92–88. In the deciding game, with both teams down a guard, the Bulls prevailed 96–94.

It marked the first series win for the Bulls after years of frustration against the Lakers. However, without Sloan, the Bulls were no match for the Bucks, who swept the series en route to a seven-game Finals with the Celtics.

Both Chicago and Detroit remained quality teams until the teams were moved to the Eastern Conference a few years later. When each team hit the skids, it quickly rebounded. Detroit used its best draft pick on Isiah Thomas, and the Bulls used theirs for Jordan, and the second chapter of this heated competition took root.

This weekend marks chapter 3 of the contentious rivalry, and the look back is instructive. The Pistons are the established team and the Bulls are the newcomers to their tier, but both feature stalwart physical defenses and perimeteroriented offenses, and are coming off sweeps over well-regarded Florida teams.

The similarities extend into advanced metrics. Both teams have exceeded their regular season Offensive Efficiency (points per 100 possessions). Also, both have deep, talented rosters. The backcourt matchups between the Pistons’ Richard Hamilton and Chauncy Billups and the Bulls’ Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich will be one of the best games-within-a-game in the series. The matchup between long-limbed forwards Tayshaun Prince and Luol Deng should also be very entertaining.

The differences will decide the series. The Bulls prefer a fast tempo while the Pistons are the most methodical team in the league. The Bulls have two rookies, forward Tyrus Thomas and guard Thabo Sefolosha, who played well in their games against Detroit. On the other hand, Detroit is a veteran team that has the home-court advantage.

That may decide the series. Although Chicago has won on the road in the playoffs, both wins required flukes at the free throw line. Detroit is renowned for hitting free throws. Unless the Bulls’ rookies grow up quickly, Detroit should take a hard fought seven-game series that will rival the ’74 battle for closeness and intensity.

mjohnson@nysun.com