1985–86 Houston Rockets season

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The 1985–86 Houston Rockets season saw the Rockets lose the

Boston Celtics
in six games.

In the playoffs, the Rockets swept the

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

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

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club team
1 19 Steve Harris SG  United States Tulsa
3 54 Sam Mitchell SF  United States Mercer
3 57 Michael Payne  United States Iowa
4 88 Mike Brooks  United States
Tennessee
6 134 Sam Potter  United States Oral Roberts

Roster

Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Houston Rockets 51 31 .622 36–5 15–26 20–10
x-Denver Nuggets 47 35 .573 4 34–7 13–28 15–15
x-Dallas Mavericks 44 38 .537 7 26–15 18–23 16–14
x-Utah Jazz 42 40 .512 9 27–14 15–26 15–15
x-Sacramento Kings 37 45 .451 14 25–16 12–29 15–15
x-San Antonio Spurs 35 47 .427 16 21–20 14–27 9–21
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers 62 20 .756
2 y-Houston Rockets 51 31 .622 11
3 x-Denver Nuggets 47 35 .573 15
4 x-Dallas Mavericks 44 38 .537 18
5 x-Utah Jazz 42 40 .512 20
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 40 42 .488 22
7 x-Sacramento Kings 37 45 .451 25
8 x-San Antonio Spurs 35 47 .427 27
9 Phoenix Suns 32 50 .390 30
10 Los Angeles Clippers 32 50 .390 30
11 Seattle SuperSonics 31 51 .378 31
12 Golden State Warriors 30 52 .366 32

Record vs. opponents

1985-86 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 0–6 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 4–2 5–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–4
Boston 6–0 5–1 5–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 5–0 4–2 5–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 5–1
Chicago 1–5 1–5 3–3 0–2 2–0 2–4 2–0 1–1 3–3 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–3 4–2 1–5 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–4
Cleveland 2–4 1–5 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–5 0–2 0–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–5 3–3 4–1 0–6 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–5
Dallas 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–3 0–2 4–1 1–5 2–0 2–3 1–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 5–0 2–3 3–3 4–2 3–2 5–1 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3 1–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 4–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 3–2 3–3 3–3 2–3 3–3 2–0
Detroit 2–4 1–4 4–2 5–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 4–2 4–1 2–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–2
Golden State 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 2–3 1–1 0–5 1–1 5–1 2–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–4 1–5 2–3 2–3 2–4 2–3 1–1
Houston 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–3 1–1 5–0 2–0 3–2 1–4 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 3–2 4–2 5–1 3–2 3–3 2–0
Indiana 1–5 1–5 3–3 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–3 2–4 0–6 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 5–1
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 1–5 2–3 0–2 2–4 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–4 2–4 5–0 1–4 3–3 3–2 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–3 1–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 4–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1 6–0 5–0 4–1 4–2 5–0 2–0
Milwaukee 3–3 0–5 5–1 5–1 2–0 0–2 4–2 2–0 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 4–2 6–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 4–2
New Jersey 2–4 2–4 3–2 3–3 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 5–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–4
New York 1–5 1–5 2–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 4–2 0–2 1–1 0–6 1–5 0–6 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–3
Philadelphia 1–4 2–4 5–1 6–0 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 6–0 2–0 0–2 1–4 4–2 6–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3
Phoenix 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 1–4 2–0 4–2 2–3 1–1 4–2 1–5 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–4 2–3 3–2 5–1 1–4 1–1
Portland 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 2–3 1–1 5–1 2–3 2–0 4–2 0–6 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 4–2 3–2 1–4 5–1 2–3 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–3 3–3 2–0 3–2 2–4 2–0 0–5 0–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 2–3 5–1 5–0 2–4 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–3 1–1 3–2 1–5 1–1 4–1 1–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 4–1 1–5 2–3 2–4 2–0
Seattle 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 0–2 4–2 2–3 0–2 3–3 2–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–5 1–5 0–5 3–2 2–3 1–1
Utah 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–5 3–3 1–1 3–2 3–3 2–0 2–3 0–5 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 4–2 4–2 3–2 1–1
Washington 4–1 1–5 4–1 5–1 1–1 0–2 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–0 0–2 2–4 4–2 3–3 3–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1

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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 25, 1985 @ Utah W 112–108 Salt Palace Acord Arena 1–0
2 October 26, 1985 @ L.A. Clippers L 129–130 (2OT) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 1–1
3 October 29, 1985 Seattle W 111–99
The Summit
2–1
4 October 31, 1985 @ Sacramento L 116–122 ARCO Arena 2–2
November: 11–4 (home: 9–0; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
5 November 2, 1985 San Antonio W 111–98
The Summit
3–2
6 November 5, 1985 Portland W 127–113
The Summit
4–2
7 November 7, 1985 L.A. Clippers W 137–115
The Summit
5–2
8 November 9, 1985 @ Dallas W 115–110 Reunion Arena 6–2
9 November 12, 1985 Denver W 127–119
The Summit
7–2
10 November 14, 1985 New Jersey W 112–107
The Summit
8–2
11 November 16, 1985 Dallas W 122–117
The Summit
9–2
12 November 19, 1985 @ Denver L 113–127 McNichols Sports Arena 9–3
13 November 20, 1985 Indiana W 126–97
The Summit
10–3
14 November 22, 1985 @ Seattle L 103–122
Seattle Center Coliseum
10–4
15 November 24, 1985 @ Portland L 118–125
Memorial Coliseum
10–5
16 November 26, 1985 Golden State W 130–108
The Summit
11–5
17 November 27, 1985 @ L.A. Clippers W 137–130 (OT) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 12–5
18 November 29, 1985 @ Phoenix L 110–126 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12–6
19 November 30, 1985 Sacramento W 131–114
The Summit
13–6
December: 7–6 (home: 6–0; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
20 December 3, 1985 Phoenix W 118–112
The Summit
14–6
21 December 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
22 December 7, 1985 Chicago W 116–104
The Summit
15–7
23 December 10, 1985 Utah W 134–105
The Summit
16–7
24 December 12, 1985 Dallas W 123–110
The Summit
17–7
25 December 14, 1985 @ Utah L 100–114 Salt Palace Acord Arena 17–8
26 December 17, 1985 @ Cleveland W 98–94
Richfield Coliseum
18–8
27 December 18, 1985 @ Philadelphia L 108–126 The Spectrum 18–9
28 December 20, 1985 @ New Jersey L 112–122
Brendan Byrne Arena
18–10
29 December 21, 1985
6:30 p.m. CST
@ Atlanta L 122–123 Lloyd (34) Sampson (15) Lucas (11) The Omni
8,563
18–11
30 December 26, 1985 Utah W 106–99
The Summit
19–11
31 December 28, 1985 Portland W 118–108
The Summit
20–11
32 December 30, 1985 @ Denver L 122–125 McNichols Sports Arena 20–12
January: 12–2 (home: 8–1; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
33 January 2, 1986 @ Golden State W 120–115
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
21–12
34 January 4, 1986 Philadelphia W 115–100
The Summit
22–12
35 January 7, 1986 Golden State W 124–115
The Summit
23–12
36 January 9, 1986 San Antonio W 120–110
The Summit
24–12
37 January 11, 1986 Washington W 87–86
The Summit
25–12
38 January 14, 1986 Utah L 102–105
The Summit
25–13
39 January 15, 1986 @ San Antonio W 119–113 HemisFair Arena 26–13
40 January 18, 1986 New York W 104–95
The Summit
27–13
41 January 19, 1986 @ Dallas L 96–131 Reunion Arena 27–14
42 January 21, 1986 @ Seattle W 100–96
Seattle Center Coliseum
28–14
43 January 23, 1986 Sacramento W 124–107
The Summit
29–14
44 January 25, 1986 Detroit W 117–112
The Summit
30–14
45 January 28, 1986 Cleveland W 116–109
The Summit
31–14
46 January 30, 1986 @ Sacramento W 111–109 ARCO Arena 32–14
February: 6–7 (home: 4–2; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
47 February 1, 1986 @ Chicago L 122–132 Chicago Stadium 32–15
48 February 3, 1986 Denver W 104–102
The Summit
33–15
49 February 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
50 February 11, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST
Atlanta W 113–100 Sampson (27) McCray (14) Lucas (16)
The Summit

16,016
34–16
51 February 13, 1986 @ San Antonio L 115–119 HemisFair Arena 34–17
52 February 15, 1986 @ L.A. Clippers L 101–108 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 34–18
53 February 17, 1986 @ Golden State W 116–110
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
35–18
54 February 18, 1986 @ Sacramento L 105–115 ARCO Arena 35–19
55 February 20, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST
Milwaukee L 113–120 Sampson (24) Petersen (9) Lucas (7)
The Summit

14,448
35–20
56 February 21, 1986 @ Dallas W 111–104 Reunion Arena 36–20
57 February 24, 1986 Dallas W 110–105
The Summit
37–20
58 February 25, 1986 @ Utah L 97–100 Salt Palace Acord Arena 37–21
59 February 27, 1986 Denver W 117–111
The Summit
38–21
March: 8–8 (home: 5–1; road: 3–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
60 March 1, 1986 @ Portland L 112–117
Memorial Coliseum
38–22
61 March 3, 1986 @ Seattle L 105–118
Seattle Center Coliseum
38–23
62 March 4, 1986 @ Denver L 115–128 McNichols Sports Arena 38–24
63 March 6, 1986 Sacramento W 116–105
The Summit
39–24
64 March 8, 1986 San Antonio W 126–117
The Summit
40–24
65 March 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
66 March 13, 1986 Portland W 126–118
The Summit
41–25
67 March 15, 1986 L.A. Clippers W 148–116
The Summit
42–25
68 March 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
69 March 18, 1986 Phoenix W 112–109
The Summit
43–26
70 March 20, 1986
7:30 p.m. CST
@ Milwaukee L 106–116 Sampson (20) Sampson (14) Sampson (6)
MECCA Arena

11,052
43–27
71 March 22, 1986 @ New York W 114–99 Madison Square Garden 44–27
72 March 24, 1986
7:00 p.m. CST
@ Boston L 107–114 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (14) Leavell (6) Boston Garden
14,890
44–28
73 March 26, 1986 @ Indiana W 110–101 Market Square Arena 45–28
74 March 28, 1986 @ Detroit L 107–116 Pontiac Silverdome 45–29
75 March 29, 1986 @ Washington W 114–109 Capital Centre 46–29
April: 5–2 (home: 3–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
76 April 1, 1986 Golden State W 125–121
The Summit
47–29
77 April 3, 1986 @ San Antonio W 136–110 HemisFair Arena 48–29
78 April 4, 1986 @ Phoenix W 112–89 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 49–29
79 April 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
80 April 8, 1986 Seattle W 109–95
The Summit
51–29
81 April 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
82 April 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 17, 1986 Sacramento W 107–87 Akeem Olajuwon (29) Akeem Olajuwon (15) Rodney McCray (7)
The Summit

15,101
1–0
2 April 19, 1986 Sacramento W 111–103 Robert Reid (29) Ralph Sampson (8) Reid, Sampson (6)
The Summit

16,016
2–0
3 April 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 26, 1986 Denver W 126–119 Akeem Olajuwon (38) Akeem Olajuwon (16) Robert Reid (9)
The Summit

15,448
1–0
2 April 29, 1986 Denver W 119–101 Ralph Sampson (27) Akeem Olajuwon (14) Rodney McCray (10)
The Summit

16,016
2–0
3 May 2, 1986 @ Denver L 115–116 Akeem Olajuwon (31) Akeem Olajuwon (11) McCray, Lloyd (8) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022
2–1
4 May 4, 1986 @ Denver L 111–114 (OT) Ralph Sampson (28) Ralph Sampson (13) Robert Reid (7) McNichols Sports Arena
14,152
2–2
5 May 6, 1986 Denver W 131–103 Akeem Olajuwon (36) Akeem Olajuwon (19) Robert Reid (12)
The Summit

16,016
3–2
6 May 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 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
2 May 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
3 May 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
4 May 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
5 May 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 26, 1986
2:00 p.m. CDT
@ Boston L 100–112 Olajuwon (33) Olajuwon (12) Reid (8) Boston Garden
14,890
0–1
2 May 29, 1986
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ Boston L 95–117 Olajuwon (21) Olajuwon (10) McCray,
Reid (5)
Boston Garden
14,890
0–2
3 June 1, 1986
2:30 p.m. CDT
Boston W 106–104 Sampson (24) Sampson (22) Reid (9)
The Summit

16,016
1–2
4 June 3, 1986
8:00 p.m. CDT
Boston L 103–106 Sampson (25) Olajuwon (14) Sampson (9)
The Summit

16,016
1–3
5 June 5, 1986
8:00 p.m. CDT
Boston W 111–96 Olajuwon (32) Olajuwon (14) Reid (17)
The Summit

16,016
2–3
6 June 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
  GP Games 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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Craig Ehlo 36 0 5.5 .429 .333 .793 1.3 .8 .3 .1 2.7
Steve Harris 57 0 8.5 .442 .200 .926 1.0 .9 .4 .1 4.5
Allen Leavell 74 12 16.1 .463 .358 .854 .9 3.2 .8 .1 7.9
Lewis Lloyd 82 82 29.8 .529 .200 .843 4.0 3.7 1.2 .3 16.9
John Lucas, Jr. 65 65 32.6 .446 .308 .775 2.2 8.8 1.2 .1 15.5
Rodney McCray 82 82 31.8 .537 .000 .770 6.3 3.6 .6 .7 10.3
Hank McDowell 22 0 9.3 .571 .000 .680 2.2 .3 .0 .1 3.0
Akeem Olajuwon 68 68 36.3 .526 .000 .645 11.5 2.0 2.0 3.4 23.5
Jim Petersen 82 20 20.3 .477 .000 .706 4.8 1.0 .5 .7 6.2
Robert Reid 82 5 26.3 .464 .182 .757 3.7 2.7 1.1 .2 12.0
Ralph Sampson 79 76 36.3 .488 .133 .461 11.1 3.6 1.3 1.6 18.9
Granville Waiters 43 0 3.6 .333 .000 .167 .7 .2 .1 .2 .6
Mitchell Wiggins 78 0 15.4 .454 .083 .729 2.0 1.3 .8 .1 6.8

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

Awards

  • All-NBA Second Team

Records

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

See also

References

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