1995 Houston Rockets

The Rockets struggled in the first half of the 1994-95 season. In a midseason trade with Portland, the Rockets obtained star guard Clyde Drexler, who had played alongside Olajuwon at the University of Houston, in exchange for Otis Thorpe. Houston entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference and were underdogs against the 60-22 Utah Jazz in the first round, the 59-23 Phoenix Suns in the second round (who led the Rockets 3-1 before losing three straight), and the 62-20 San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals. In the second game of the San Antonio series, Olajuwon gave a career performance. After a pregame MVP award ceremony honoring David Robinson, Olajuwon dominated the game, outscoring Robinson 42-22 in a Rockets win. Houston won all three series to reach the Finals against the Orlando Magic, whose headline players were Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway. Houston swept the series in four straight games. The Rockets became the first team in NBA history to win the championship as a sixth seed. They also became only the second team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit without homecourt advantage. In addition, the team became the first in NBA history to beat four 50-win teams in a single postseason en route to the championship.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• hakeem
• olajuwon
• clyde
• drexler
• rudy
• tomjanovich
• kenny
• smith
• mario
• elie
• robert
• horry
• sam
• cassell

[Alymero]

Really disappointing that the Rockets and Bulls never clashed in the NBA finals in the 90s especially since the Rockets always seemed to handle the Bulls with ease in the regular season throughout the decade.

[adidas01003]

Good ol' days.

[PhilBurr100]

@loutcb The Lakers did it last year lol. Thunder-50 wins, Jazz-53 wins, Suns-54 wins, Celtics-50 wins bro. Though the Rockets feat was more impressive.

[loutcb]

Only team to beat 4 50 plus win teams in playoff history.

[loutcb]

Clyde also hung with MJ. with rbs and assists

[joblagz]

i think they misspelled will smith with robert horry

[jamesanderson26]

@Alymero

i know, hakeem was the only player to lead a team to a winning record against michaels and the bulls.

[chrisuncleahmad]

The 1995 Rockets sold their souls to the Devil to get that second title.

In the 14 years since- 4 combined playoff series wins.

[Deadshot089]

Great old days

[onevnwo]

such a bad ass lineup...go rockets!!!