1985–86 Houston Rockets season

Last updated • 1 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1985–86   Houston Rockets season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach Bill Fitch
General manager Ray Patterson
Owner(s)Charlie Thomas
Arena The Summit
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finish NBA Finals
(lost to Celtics 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
Radio KTRH
< 1984–85 1986–87 >

The 1985–86 Houston Rockets season saw the Rockets lose the 1986 NBA Finals to the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics in six games.

Contents

In the playoffs, the Rockets swept the Sacramento Kings in three games in the First Round, then defeated the Denver Nuggets in six games in the Semifinals, before dethroning the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the conference finals after Ralph Sampson hit a 20-foot jumper as time expired in game five at The Forum to reach the NBA Finals.

In the NBA Finals, the Rockets faced off against the heavily favored [1] Boston Celtics in a rematch of the 1981 NBA Finals, where the Celtics won in six games. Just like in their previous NBA Finals meeting, the Rockets would lose in six games against the Celtics.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege/Club team
119 Steve Harris SGFlag of the United States.svg United States Tulsa
354 Sam Mitchell SFFlag of the United States.svg United States Mercer
357 Michael Payne Flag of the United States.svg United States Iowa
488 Mike Brooks Flag of the United States.svg United States Tennessee
6134 Sam Potter Flag of the United States.svg United States Oral Roberts

Roster

Houston Rockets roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F 3 Ehlo, Craig 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)180 lb (82 kg) Washington State
SG 20 Harris, Steve 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) Tulsa
G 30 Leavell, Allen 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg) Oklahoma City
G/F 32 Lloyd, Lewis 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg) Drake
PG 5 Lucas II, John 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg) Maryland
F 22 McCray, Rodney 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) Louisville
PF 8 McDowell, Hank 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)215 lb (98 kg) Memphis
C 34 Olajuwon, Akeem 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)255 lb (116 kg) Houston
F/C 43 Petersen, Jim 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg) Minnesota
SF 33 Reid, Robert 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)205 lb (93 kg) St. Mary's (TX)
F/C 50 Sampson, Ralph 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)228 lb (103 kg) Virginia
C 31 Waiters, Granville 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)225 lb (102 kg) Ohio State
SG 15 Wiggins, Mitchell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)185 lb (84 kg) South Carolina
Head coach
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Houston Rockets 5131.622–36–515–2620–10
x-Denver Nuggets 4735.573434–713–2815–15
x-Dallas Mavericks 4438.537726–1518–2316–14
x-Utah Jazz 4240.512927–1415–2615–15
x-Sacramento Kings 3745.4511425–1612–2915–15
x-San Antonio Spurs 3547.4271621–2014–279–21
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Los Angeles Lakers 6220.756–
2y-Houston Rockets 5131.62211
3x-Denver Nuggets 4735.57315
4x-Dallas Mavericks 4438.53718
5x-Utah Jazz 4240.51220
6x-Portland Trail Blazers 4042.48822
7x-Sacramento Kings 3745.45125
8x-San Antonio Spurs 3547.42727
9 Phoenix Suns 3250.39030
10 Los Angeles Clippers 3250.39030
11 Seattle SuperSonics 3151.37831
12 Golden State Warriors 3052.36632

Record vs. opponents

1985-86 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta —0–65–14–21–11–14–21–11–15–12–01–13–34–25–14–12–02–02–01–11–10–21–4
Boston 6–0—5–15–11–11–14–12–02–05–12–02–05–04–25–14–21–11–11–12–02–02–05–1
Chicago 1–51–5—3–30–22–02–42–01–13–31–10–21–52–34–21–51–11–10–21–11–11–11–4
Cleveland 2–41–53–3—1–11–11–50–20–23–21–11–11–53–34–10–62–00–22–01–11–10–21–5
Dallas 1–11–12–01–1—3–30–24–11–52–02–31–40–22–01–10–25–02–33–34–23–25–11–1
Denver 1–11–10–21–13–3—1–13–23–32–04–13–22–01–11–11–14–13–23–33–32–33–32–0
Detroit 2–41–44–25–12–01–1—1–11–15–12–01–12–44–24–12–40–21–10–21–12–01–14–2
Golden State 1–10–20–22–01–42–31–1—0–51–15–12–40–21–11–11–12–41–52–32–32–42–31–1
Houston1–10–21–12–05–13–31–15–0—2–03–21–40–21–12–01–13–23–24–25–13–23–32–0
Indiana 1–51–53–32–30–20–21–51–10–2—2–00–22–42–32–40–61–10–20–21–12–00–25–1
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–11–13–21–40–21–52–30–2—2–41–12–02–00–22–42–45–01–43–33–20–2
L.A. Lakers 1–10–22–01–14–12–31–14–24–12–04–2—2–01–11–12–05–16–05–04–14–25–02–0
Milwaukee 3–30–55–15–12–00–24–22–02–04–21–10–2—4–26–04–11–12–02–02–02–02–04–2
New Jersey 2–42–43–23–30–21–12–41–11–13–20–21–12–4—5–12–42–02–02–01–10–22–02–4
New York 1–51–52–41–41–11–11–41–10–24–20–21–10–61–5—0–62–00–21–11–11–10–23–3
Philadelphia 1–42–45–16–02–01–14–21–11–16–02–00–21–44–26–0—2–02–02–01–11–11–13–3
Phoenix 0–21–11–10–20–51–42–04–22–31–14–21–51–10–20–20–2—2–42–33–25–11–41–1
Portland 0–21–11–12–03–22–31–15–12–32–04–20–60–20–22–00–24–2—3–21–45–12–30–2
Sacramento 0–21–12–00–23–33–32–03–22–42–00–50–50–20–21–10–23–22–3—5–15–02–41–1
San Antonio 1–10–21–11–12–43–31–13–21–51–14–11–40–21–11–11–12–34–11–5—2–32–42–0
Seattle 1–10–21–11–12–33–20–24–22–30–23–32–40–22–01–11–11–51–50–53–2—2–31–1
Utah 2–00–21–12–01–53–31–13–23–32–02–30–50–20–22–01–14–13–24–24–23–2—1–1
Washington 4–11–54–15–11–10–22–41–10–21–52–00–22–44–23–33–31–12–01–10–21–11–1—

Game log

Regular season

1985–86 game log
Total: 51–31 (home: 36–5; road: 15–26)
October: 2–2 (home: 1–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 25, 1985@ Utah W 112–108 Salt Palace Acord Arena 1–0
2October 26, 1985@ L.A. Clippers L 129–130 (2OT) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 1–1
3October 29, 1985 Seattle W 111–99 The Summit 2–1
4October 31, 1985@ Sacramento L 116–122 ARCO Arena 2–2
November: 11–4 (home: 9–0; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
5November 2, 1985 San Antonio W 111–98 The Summit 3–2
6November 5, 1985 Portland W 127–113 The Summit 4–2
7November 7, 1985 L.A. Clippers W 137–115 The Summit 5–2
8November 9, 1985@ Dallas W 115–110 Reunion Arena 6–2
9November 12, 1985 Denver W 127–119 The Summit 7–2
10November 14, 1985 New Jersey W 112–107 The Summit 8–2
11November 16, 1985 Dallas W 122–117 The Summit 9–2
12November 19, 1985@ Denver L 113–127 McNichols Sports Arena 9–3
13November 20, 1985 Indiana W 126–97 The Summit 10–3
14November 22, 1985@ Seattle L 103–122 Seattle Center Coliseum 10–4
15November 24, 1985@ Portland L 118–125 Memorial Coliseum 10–5
16November 26, 1985 Golden State W 130–108 The Summit 11–5
17November 27, 1985@ L.A. Clippers W 137–130 (OT) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 12–5
18November 29, 1985@ Phoenix L 110–126 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12–6
19November 30, 1985 Sacramento W 131–114 The Summit 13–6
December: 7–6 (home: 6–0; road: 1–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
20December 3, 1985 Phoenix W 118–112 The Summit 14–6
21December 6, 1985
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 112–120 Sampson (32) Olajuwon (13) Lucas
Sampson (9)		 The Forum
17,505		14–7
22December 7, 1985 Chicago W 116–104 The Summit 15–7
23December 10, 1985 Utah W 134–105 The Summit 16–7
24December 12, 1985 Dallas W 123–110 The Summit 17–7
25December 14, 1985@ Utah L 100–114 Salt Palace Acord Arena 17–8
26December 17, 1985@ Cleveland W 98–94 Richfield Coliseum 18–8
27December 18, 1985@ Philadelphia L 108–126 The Spectrum 18–9
28December 20, 1985@ New Jersey L 112–122 Brendan Byrne Arena 18–10
29December 21, 1985
6:30 p.m. CST 		@ Atlanta L 122–123 Lloyd (34) Sampson (15) Lucas (11) The Omni
8,563		18–11
30December 26, 1985 Utah W 106–99 The Summit 19–11
31December 28, 1985 Portland W 118–108 The Summit 20–11
32December 30, 1985@ Denver L 122–125 McNichols Sports Arena 20–12
January: 12–2 (home: 8–1; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
33January 2, 1986@ Golden State W 120–115 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 21–12
34January 4, 1986 Philadelphia W 115–100 The Summit 22–12
35January 7, 1986 Golden State W 124–115 The Summit 23–12
36January 9, 1986 San Antonio W 120–110 The Summit 24–12
37January 11, 1986 Washington W 87–86 The Summit 25–12
38January 14, 1986 Utah L 102–105 The Summit 25–13
39January 15, 1986@ San Antonio W 119–113 HemisFair Arena 26–13
40January 18, 1986 New York W 104–95 The Summit 27–13
41January 19, 1986@ Dallas L 96–131 Reunion Arena 27–14
42January 21, 1986@ Seattle W 100–96 Seattle Center Coliseum 28–14
43January 23, 1986 Sacramento W 124–107 The Summit 29–14
44January 25, 1986 Detroit W 117–112 The Summit 30–14
45January 28, 1986 Cleveland W 116–109 The Summit 31–14
46January 30, 1986@ Sacramento W 111–109 ARCO Arena 32–14
February: 6–7 (home: 4–2; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
47February 1, 1986@ Chicago L 122–132 Chicago Stadium 32–15
48February 3, 1986 Denver W 104–102 The Summit 33–15
49February 6, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST 		L.A. Lakers L 95–117 Olajuwon (18) Olajuwon (14) Lucas (8) The Summit
16,016		33–16
All-Star Break
50February 11, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST 		Atlanta W 113–100 Sampson (27) McCray (14) Lucas (16) The Summit
16,016		34–16
51February 13, 1986@ San Antonio L 115–119 HemisFair Arena 34–17
52February 15, 1986@ L.A. Clippers L 101–108 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 34–18
53February 17, 1986@ Golden State W 116–110 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 35–18
54February 18, 1986@ Sacramento L 105–115 ARCO Arena 35–19
55February 20, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST 		Milwaukee L 113–120 Sampson (24) Petersen (9) Lucas (7) The Summit
14,448		35–20
56February 21, 1986@ Dallas W 111–104 Reunion Arena 36–20
57February 24, 1986 Dallas W 110–105 The Summit 37–20
58February 25, 1986@ Utah L 97–100 Salt Palace Acord Arena 37–21
59February 27, 1986 Denver W 117–111 The Summit 38–21
March: 8–8 (home: 5–1; road: 3–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
60March 1, 1986@ Portland L 112–117 Memorial Coliseum 38–22
61March 3, 1986@ Seattle L 105–118 Seattle Center Coliseum 38–23
62March 4, 1986@ Denver L 115–128 McNichols Sports Arena 38–24
63March 6, 1986 Sacramento W 116–105 The Summit 39–24
64March 8, 1986 San Antonio W 126–117 The Summit 40–24
65March 11, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST 		Boston L 104–116 Sampson (23) Petersen
Sampson (12)		 Lewis Lloyd,
Lucas (9)		 The Summit
16,016		40–25
66March 13, 1986 Portland W 126–118 The Summit 41–25
67March 15, 1986 L.A. Clippers W 148–116 The Summit 42–25
68March 16, 1986
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 111–116 Sampson (27) Sampson (16) McCray (10) The Forum
17,505		42–26
69March 18, 1986 Phoenix W 112–109 The Summit 43–26
70March 20, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST 		@ Milwaukee L 106–116 Sampson (20) Sampson (14) Sampson (6) MECCA Arena
11,052		43–27
71March 22, 1986@ New York W 114–99 Madison Square Garden 44–27
72March 24, 1986
7:00 p.m. CST 		@ Boston L 107–114 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (14) Leavell (6) Boston Garden
14,890		44–28
73March 26, 1986@ Indiana W 110–101 Market Square Arena 45–28
74March 28, 1986@ Detroit L 107–116 Pontiac Silverdome 45–29
75March 29, 1986@ Washington W 114–109 Capital Centre 46–29
April: 5–2 (home: 3–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
76April 1, 1986 Golden State W 125–121 The Summit 47–29
77April 3, 1986@ San Antonio W 136–110 HemisFair Arena 48–29
78April 4, 1986@ Phoenix W 112–89 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 49–29
79April 6, 1986
2:30 p.m. CST 		L.A. Lakers W 109–103 Olajuwon (25) Sampson (17) Sampson (9) The Summit
16,016		50–29
80April 8, 1986 Seattle W 109–95 The Summit 51–29
81April 10, 1986
9:30 p.m. CST 		@ L.A. Lakers L 113–117 Olajuwon (34) McCray,
Olajuwon (8)		 McCray (10) The Forum
17,505		51–30
82April 12, 1986 Phoenix L 92–110 The Summit 51–31
1985–86 schedule

Playoffs

1986 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 17, 1986 Sacramento W 107–87 Akeem Olajuwon (29) Akeem Olajuwon (15) Rodney McCray (7) The Summit
15,101		1–0
2April 19, 1986 Sacramento W 111–103 Robert Reid (29) Ralph Sampson (8) Reid, Sampson (6) The Summit
16,016		2–0
3April 22, 1986@ Sacramento W 113–98 Lloyd, Sampson (25) Akeem Olajuwon (13) Lloyd, McCray (7) ARCO Arena I
10,333		3–0
Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 26, 1986 Denver W 126–119 Akeem Olajuwon (38) Akeem Olajuwon (16) Robert Reid (9) The Summit
15,448		1–0
2April 29, 1986 Denver W 119–101 Ralph Sampson (27) Akeem Olajuwon (14) Rodney McCray (10) The Summit
16,016		2–0
3May 2, 1986@ Denver L 115–116 Akeem Olajuwon (31) Akeem Olajuwon (11) McCray, Lloyd (8) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022		2–1
4May 4, 1986@ Denver L 111–114 (OT) Ralph Sampson (28) Ralph Sampson (13) Robert Reid (7) McNichols Sports Arena
14,152		2–2
5May 6, 1986 Denver W 131–103 Akeem Olajuwon (36) Akeem Olajuwon (19) Robert Reid (12) The Summit
16,016		3–2
6May 8, 1986@ Denver W 126–122 (2OT) Akeem Olajuwon (28) Ralph Sampson (18) Rodney McCray (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022		4–2
Western Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 2–0; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 10, 1986
2:30 p.m. CDT 		@ L.A. Lakers L 107–119 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (16) Reid (8) The Forum
17,505		0–1
2May 13, 1986
9:30 p.m. CDT 		@ L.A. Lakers W 112–102 Lloyd,
Sampson (24)		 Sampson (16) McCray (11) The Forum
17,505		1–1
3May 16, 1986
8:30 p.m. CDT 		L.A. Lakers W 117–109 Olajuwon (40) Olajuwon (12) Reid (12) The Summit
16,016		2–1
4May 18, 1986
2:30 p.m. CDT 		L.A. Lakers W 105–95 Olajuwon (35) Petersen (13) McCray (6) The Summit
16,016		3–1
5May 21, 1986
10:30 p.m. CDT 		@ L.A. Lakers W 114–112 Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon (7) McCray (11) The Forum
17,505		4–1
NBA Finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 26, 1986
2:00 p.m. CDT 		@ Boston L 100–112 Olajuwon (33) Olajuwon (12) Reid (8) Boston Garden
14,890		0–1
2May 29, 1986
8:00 p.m. CDT 		@ Boston L 95–117 Olajuwon (21) Olajuwon (10) McCray,
Reid (5)		 Boston Garden
14,890		0–2
3June 1, 1986
2:30 p.m. CDT 		Boston W 106–104 Sampson (24) Sampson (22) Reid (9) The Summit
16,016		1–2
4June 3, 1986
8:00 p.m. CDT 		Boston L 103–106 Sampson (25) Olajuwon (14) Sampson (9) The Summit
16,016		1–3
5June 5, 1986
8:00 p.m. CDT 		Boston W 111–96 Olajuwon (32) Olajuwon (14) Reid (17) The Summit
16,016		2–3
6June 8, 1986
12 Noon CDT 		@ Boston L 97–114 Olajuwon (21) Olajuwon (10) McCray,
Reid (5)		 Boston Garden
14,890		2–4
1986 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG  Points per game

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Craig Ehlo 3605.5.429.333.7931.3.8.3.12.7
Steve Harris 5708.5.442.200.9261.0.9.4.14.5
Allen Leavell 741216.1.463.358.854.93.2.8.17.9
Lewis Lloyd 828229.8.529.200.8434.03.71.2.316.9
John Lucas Jr. 656532.6.446.308.7752.28.81.2.115.5
Rodney McCray 828231.8.537.000.7706.33.6.6.710.3
Hank McDowell 2209.3.571.000.6802.2.3.0.13.0
Akeem Olajuwon 686836.3.526.000.64511.52.02.03.423.5
Jim Petersen 822020.3.477.000.7064.81.0.5.76.2
Robert Reid 82526.3.464.182.7573.72.71.1.212.0
Ralph Sampson 797636.3.488.133.46111.13.61.31.618.9
Granville Waiters 4303.6.333.000.167.7.2.1.2.6
Mitchell Wiggins 78015.4.454.083.7292.01.3.8.16.8

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG

Awards and records

Awards

Records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

See also

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The 1987 NBA playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1986–87 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. The Lakers earned their 10th NBA championship, and Magic Johnson was named NBA Finals MVP for a then-record third time.

The 2007–08 Boston Celtics season was the 62nd season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Powered by the offseason blockbuster acquisitions of perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join with established star Paul Pierce, the trade enabled the Celtics to finish the season with a record of 66-16 in addition to posting the best single-season turnaround in NBA history. The team also finished first in both the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference, and achieved the league's best record. The 66 wins were also the third-most in franchise history, behind the 1972–73 Celtics’ 68 wins and the famous 1985–86 Celtics’ 67 wins including 40 at home. Kevin Garnett was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year, while Danny Ainge, who executed "the most dramatic NBA turnaround ever", was named NBA Executive of the Year. The Celtics also sold out all 41 regular-season home games. The Celtics had the tenth best team offensive rating and the best team defensive rating in the NBA.

The 1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 40th season of the franchise, 38th in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 26th in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as the defending NBA champions, having defeated the previous NBA champion and rival Boston Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals in six games, having finally defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals after having lost to them 8 consecutive times in the championship series. The Lakers looked to repeat as NBA Champions, after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in three games in the First Round, and then defeating the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the Semi-finals in the playoffs, but were unable to defend their title, as they lost to the Houston Rockets in the conference finals in five games after winning the first game, but proceeded to lose the following four. The Rockets would go on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in six games.

The 1985–86 Boston Celtics season was the 40th season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They finished with the best record in the league at 67–15, including a 40–1 record at home. Those 40 home wins set an NBA record which would only be matched by the San Antonio Spurs in 2016. Arguably considered the best Celtics team ever, and widely regarded among the greatest teams in NBA history, their 67 total wins were one win shy of tying their franchise record of 68 wins set in 1973, and tied for fifth all-time.

The 1986–87 Boston Celtics season was the 41st season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Celtics entered the season as the defending NBA Champions, having defeated the Houston Rockets in the 1986 NBA Finals in six games, winning their sixteenth NBA championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers season</span> Pro basketball team season (won NBA championship)

The 1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 41st season of the franchise, 39th in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 27th in Los Angeles. Coming from a shocking defeat to the Houston Rockets in the previous season's Western Conference Finals in five games, where they won the first game, but proceeded to drop the next four, the Lakers avenged their playoff upset by making the NBA Finals for the sixth time in the 1980s. Prior to reaching the NBA Finals, in the playoffs, the Lakers swept the Denver Nuggets in three games in the First Round, defeated the Golden State Warriors in five games in the Semi-finals, and swept the Seattle SuperSonics in four games in the Conference Finals. This team was named one of the 10 greatest teams in NBA history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984–85 Los Angeles Lakers season</span> Pro basketball team season (won NBA championship)

The 1984–85 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 39th season of the franchise, 37th in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 25th in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as runner-ups of the 1984 NBA Finals, where they lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Boston Celtics in seven games, increasing their losing streak to the Celtics in the NBA Finals to 8 consecutive losses.

Jan Volk is a former basketball executive who served as the general manager of the Boston Celtics from 1984 to 1997.

The 1986–87 NBA season was the Rockets' 20th season in the NBA and 16th season in the city of Houston. The Rockets entered the season as runner-ups in the 1986 NBA Finals, having lost to the Boston Celtics in six games.

References

  1. ↑ Roy S. Johnson (May 26, 1986). "FITCH FINDS OLD HABITS HARD TO BREAK". The New York Times . Retrieved December 8, 2021.
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