1985–86 Houston Rockets season

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1985–86 Houston Rockets season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachBill Fitch
General managerRay Patterson
Owner(s)Charlie Thomas
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record51–31 (.622)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(Lost to Celtics 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
RadioKTRH
< 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.

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[]

Main article: 1985 NBA Draft
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  United States Iowa
4 88  United States Tennessee
6 134  United States Oral Roberts

Roster[]

Houston Rockets roster
  • v
  • t
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) 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) Clemson, Florida State
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) Saint Mary's
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[]

Midwest Division
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
# Western Conference
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 @ L.A. Lakers L 112–120 The Forum 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 @ Atlanta L 122–123 The Omni 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 L.A. Lakers L 95–117 The Summit 33–16
50 February 11, 1986 Atlanta W 113–100 The Summit 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 Milwaukee L 113–120 The Summit 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 Boston L 104–116 The Summit 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 @ L.A. Lakers L 111–116 The Forum 42–26
69 March 18, 1986 Phoenix W 112–109 The Summit 43–26
70 March 20, 1986 @ Milwaukee L 106–116 MECCA Arena 43–27
71 March 22, 1986 @ New York W 114–99 Madison Square Garden 44–27
72 March 24, 1986 @ Boston L 107–114 Boston Garden 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 L.A. Lakers W 109–103 The Summit 50–29
80 April 8, 1986 Seattle W 109–95 The Summit 51–29
81 April 10, 1986 @ L.A. Lakers L 113–117 The Forum 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 Hakeem Olajuwon (29) Hakeem 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) Hakeem 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 Hakeem Olajuwon (38) Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Robert Reid (9) The Summit
15,448 		1–0
2 April 29, 1986 Denver W 119–101 Ralph Sampson (27) Hakeem Olajuwon (14) Rodney McCray (10) The Summit
16,016 		2–0
3 May 2, 1986 @ Denver L 115–116 Hakeem Olajuwon (31) Hakeem 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 Hakeem Olajuwon (36) Hakeem Olajuwon (19) Robert Reid (12) The Summit
16,016 		3–2
6 May 8, 1986 @ Denver W 126–122 (2OT) Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Ralph Sampson (18) Rodney McCray (7) McNichols Sports Arena
17,022 		4–2
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 @ L.A. Lakers L 107–119 Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Robert Reid (8) The Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 May 13, 1986 @ L.A. Lakers W 112–102 Sampson, Lloyd (24) Ralph Sampson (16) Rodney McCray (11) The Forum
17,505 		1–1
3 May 16, 1986 L.A. Lakers W 117–109 Hakeem Olajuwon (40) Hakeem Olajuwon (12) Robert Reid (12) The Summit
16,016 		2–1
4 May 18, 1986 L.A. Lakers W 105–95 Hakeem Olajuwon (35) Jim Petersen (13) Rodney McCray (6) The Summit
16,016 		3–1
5 May 21, 1986 @ L.A. Lakers W 114–112 Hakeem Olajuwon (30) Hakeem Olajuwon (7) Rodney 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 @ Boston L 100–112 Hakeem Olajuwon (33) Hakeem Olajuwon (12) Robert Reid (8) Boston Garden
14,890 		0–1
2 May 29, 1986 @ Boston L 95–117 Hakeem Olajuwon (21) Hakeem Olajuwon (10) McCray, Reid (5) Boston Garden
14,890 		0–2
3 June 1, 1986 Boston W 106–104 Ralph Sampson (24) Ralph Sampson (22) Robert Reid (9) The Summit
16,016 		1–2
4 June 3, 1986 Boston L 103–106 Ralph Sampson (25) Hakeem Olajuwon (14) Ralph Sampson (9) The Summit
16,016 		1–3
5 June 5, 1986 Boston W 111–96 Hakeem Olajuwon (32) Hakeem Olajuwon (14) Robert Reid (17) The Summit
16,016 		2–3
6 June 8, 1986 @ Boston L 97–114 Hakeem Olajuwon (21) Hakeem 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[]

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.
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