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1994–95 Houston Rockets season

American professional basketball team season

American professional basketball team season

Prime Sports Southwest (Bill Worrell, Calvin Murphy) (Gene Peterson, Jim Foley) (Defeated Magic 4–0)

The 1994–95 Houston Rockets season was the 28th season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association, and their 24th season in Houston, Texas. The Rockets entered the regular season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the New York Knicks in seven games in the 1994 NBA Finals, and winning their first ever NBA championship. During the off-season, the team signed free agent Pete Chilcutt.

The Rockets got off to a fast start by winning their first nine games of the regular season, but started to slow down as the team lost 9 of their next 14 games afterwards. The Rockets then posted a six-game winning streak between December and January, leading to a 20–9 start to the season. However, the team then lost six of their next ten games, and later on held a 29–17 record at the All-Star break.

On February 14, 1995, the Rockets traded Otis Thorpe to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, and three-point specialist Tracy Murray; Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon were both teammates at the University of Houston in the early 1980s. The team also signed free agent Chucky Brown midway through the season, and later on signed 38-year old veteran Charles Jones to a 10-day contract in April, where he played in the final three games of the regular season. However, despite the addition of Drexler, the Rockets played .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, posting an 18–18 record on their way to finishing in third place in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record, and earning the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game, while Drexler averaged 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 35 games after the trade; Olajuwon and Drexler were both named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Vernon Maxwell provided the team with 13.3 points per game, and led them with 143 three-point field goals, while Kenny Smith contributed 10.4 points per game and 142 three-point field goals, and Robert Horry averaged 10.2 points per game. Off the bench, second-year guard Sam Cassell provided with 9.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, while Mario Elie contributed 8.8 points per game, Carl Herrera averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and Chilcutt provided with 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, Olajuwon was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Olajuwon finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Drexler finished in 14th place; Olajuwon also finished in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting. According to Horry, when All-Star center David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs was given his NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year award, before a game in the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Rockets, Olajuwon got upset and claimed that Robinson won "his" trophy; Olajuwon won the MVP award the previous season.

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1995 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Rockets faced off against the 3rd–seeded Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Hornacek. With the series tied at 1–1, the Rockets lost Game 3 to the Jazz at home, 95–82 at The Summit as the Jazz took a 2–1 series lead. However, the Rockets managed to win the next two games, including a Game 5 road win over the Jazz at the Delta Center, 95–91, thus winning in a hard-fought five-game series.

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, and also for the second consecutive year, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Pacific Division champion Phoenix Suns, who were led by the All-Star trio of Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson, and three-point specialist Dan Majerle. The Rockets lost the first two games on the road at the America West Arena, before winning Game 3 over the Suns at home, 118–85 at The Summit, but then lost Game 4 at home, 114–110 as the Suns took a 3–1 series lead. However, the Rockets managed to win the next three games, winning Game 7 over the Suns at the America West Arena, 115–114 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series, and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

In the "All-Texas Western Conference Finals", the Rockets then faced off against the top–seeded, and Midwest Division champion Spurs, who were led by the trio of Robinson, Sean Elliott, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman. Both teams lacked home-court advantage in the series, as the road team won every game until the Rockets won Game 6 over the Spurs at The Summit, 100–95 to advance to the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year.

In the 1995 NBA Finals, the Rockets faced off against the top–seeded Orlando Magic, who were led by the All-Star trio of Shaquille O'Neal, second-year star Penny Hardaway, and Horace Grant. The Rockets won Game 1 over the Magic on the road in overtime, 120–118 at the Orlando Arena, then won Game 2 on the road, 117–106 to take a 2–0 series lead. The Rockets then won the next two games at home, winning Game 4 over the Magic at The Summit, 113–101, thus winning the series in a four-game sweep, and also winning their second consecutive NBA championship, as Olajuwon was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the second straight year. As the 6th seed in the 1995 playoffs, the 1994–95 Rockets to date are the lowest seeded team in league history to win an NBA championship.

The Rockets finished 17th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 653,389 at The Summit during the regular season. Following the season, Maxwell signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers. Maxwell had a controversial season; one notable incident occurred on February 6, 1995, during a road game against the Trail Blazers at the Memorial Coliseum, in which Maxwell punched a fan and was suspended for ten games; the Rockets lost to the Trail Blazers, 120–82. Maxwell also left the Rockets during the NBA playoffs after being replaced with Drexler as the team's starting shooting guard.

Also following the season, Murray signed with the Toronto Raptors expansion team, Herrera signed with the San Antonio Spurs, and Croatian rookie center Žan Tabak was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA expansion draft, where he was selected by the Raptors.

NBA draft

Main article: 1994 NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
253Albert BurdittPFUnited StatesTexas

Roster

  • Rudy Tomjanovich
  • Bill Berry
  • Jim Boylen
  • Carroll Dawson
  • Larry Smith | access-date = April 22, 1995

Regular season

Season standings

Game log

Regular season

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |1 | 7:30p.m. CST | New Jersey | W 90–86 | Olajuwon (19) | Olajuwon, Thorpe (8) | Cassell (5) | The Summit 16,611 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |2 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Minnesota | W 115–85 | Olajuwon (23) | Thorpe (14) | Maxwell (7) | Target Center 16,578 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |3 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Cleveland | W 100–98 | Olajuwon (21) | Olajuwon (12) | Cassell (9) | Gund Arena 20,562 | 3–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |4 | 5:00p.m. CST | @ Indiana | W 109–104 | Olajuwon (43) | Olajuwon (16) | Cassell, Horry, Smith (5) | Market Square Arena 15,258 | 4–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |5 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ Boston | W 102–82 | Olajuwon (26) | Olajuwon (14) | Horry (6) | Boston Garden 14,890 | 5–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |6 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ New Jersey | W 100–84 | Olajuwon (31) | Thorpe (13) | Horry (5) | Brendan Byrne Arena 20,049 | 6–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |7 | 7:30p.m. CST | Sacramento | W 105–99 | Olajuwon (28) | Olajuwon (14) | Maxwell (8) | The Summit 14,656 | 7–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |8 | 7:00p.m. CST | Chicago | W 106–83 | Olajuwon (29) | Olajuwon (14) | Maxwell (8) | The Summit 16,199 | 8–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |9 | 8:00p.m. CST | @ Denver | W 109–101 | Olajuwon (26) | Olajuwon (13) | Cassell (9) | McNichols Sports Arena 17,171 | 9–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |10 | 7:30p.m. CST | Portland | L 94–102 | Olajuwon (27) | Thorpe (10) | Maxwell (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 9–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |11 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ Orlando | L 94–117 | Olajuwon (27) | Olajuwon, Thorpe (10) | Maxwell (6) | Orlando Arena 16,010 | 9–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |12 | 7:30p.m. CST | Seattle | L 94–98 | Maxwell (23) | Olajuwon, Thorpe (13) | Smith (7) | The Summit 16,611 | 9–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |13 | 7:30p.m. CST | Denver | W 96–81 | Olajuwon (27) | Olajuwon (12) | Smith (9) | The Summit 14,295 | 10–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |14 | 9:30p.m. CST | @ Golden State | W 113–109 | Olajuwon (37) | Olajuwon (13) | Olajuwon (12) | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 | 11–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |15 | 9:30p.m. CST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 89–107 | Herrera (22) | Herrera (11) | Cassell (5) | Great Western Forum 13,056 | 11–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |16 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Seattle | L 90–103 | Thorpe (21) | Horry (10) | Cassell (7) | Tacoma Dome 13,017 | 11–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |17 | 7:30p.m. CST | Charlotte | W 101–95 | Smith (25) | Thorpe (15) | Cassell, Olajuwon (8) | The Summit 12,792 | 12–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |18 | 7:30p.m. CST | San Antonio | L 96–108 | Olajuwon (20) | Thorpe (14) | Maxwell (7) | The Summit 16,611 | 12–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |19 | 7:30p.m. CST | Washington | W 93–85 | Thorpe (27) | Olajuwon, Thorpe (14) | Maxwell, Smith (7) | The Summit 13,889 | 13–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |20 | 7:30p.m. CST | L.A. Lakers | L 94–97 | Olajuwon (22) | Thorpe (16) | Cassell (8) | The Summit 11,943 | 13–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |21 | 7:30p.m. CST | Boston | L 109–112 | Maxwell (25) | Olajuwon (12) | Smith (7) | The Summit 15,757 | 13–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |22 | 7:00p.m. CST | Phoenix | W 114–106 | Smith (25) | Olajuwon (15) | Maxwell, Smith (7) | The Summit 16,611 | 14–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |23 | 7:30p.m. CST | @ San Antonio | L 96–98 | Maxwell (27) | Thorpe (13) | Cassell, Smith (4) | Alamodome 31,514 | 14–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |24 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ Miami | W 101–88 | Olajuwon (24) | Olajuwon (12) | Maxwell, Olajuwon (5) | Miami Arena 15,200 | 15–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |25 | 7:30p.m. CST | Atlanta | W 105–93 | Olajuwon (35) | Olajuwon (16) | Olajuwon (8) | The Summit 16,394 | 16–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |26 | 7:30p.m. CST | Golden State | W 126–124 | Olajuwon (42) | Olajuwon (8) | Cassell (10) | The Summit 16,611 | 17–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |27 | 8:00p.m. CST | @ Utah | W 111–103 | Olajuwon (37) | Olajuwon (12) | Olajuwon (7) | Delta Center 19,911 | 18–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |28 | 7:30p.m. CST | @ Dallas | W 110–98 | Olajuwon (41) | Olajuwon (13) | Cassell, Maxwell (6) | Reunion Arena 17,502 | 19–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |29 | 7:30p.m. CST | Dallas | W 108–99 | Olajuwon (33) | Herrera, Horry (8) | Maxwell (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 20–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |30 | 7:30p.m. CST | Indiana | L 83–88 | Olajuwon (27) | Olajuwon (15) | Cassell (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 20–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |31 | 7:30p.m. CST | Miami | W 108–97 | Smith (27) | Olajuwon (11) | Maxwell (7) | The Summit 12,424 | 21–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |32 | 7:30p.m. CST | San Antonio | W 103–100 | Olajuwon (47) | Olajuwon (10) | Horry (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 22–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |33 | 8:00p.m. CST | @ Denver | L 104–118 | Olajuwon (41) | Thorpe (13) | Maxwell (5) | McNichols Sports Arena 17,171 | 22–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |34 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Minnesota | L 75–94 | Olajuwon (22) | Olajuwon (8) | Smith (6) | Target Center 12,442 | 22–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |35 | 7:00p.m. CST | New York | L 77–93 | Olajuwon (28) | Olajuwon (17) | Cassell, Maxwell, Olajuwon (5) | The Summit 16,611 | 22–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |36 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Detroit | W 106–96 | Olajuwon (34) | Olajuwon (12) | Cassell (9) | The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 | 23–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |37 | 12 Noon CST | @ Chicago | L 81–100 | Horry (19) | Olajuwon (14) | Maxwell (5) | United Center 22,647 | 23–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |38 | 7:30p.m. CST | @ Milwaukee | W 115–99 | Olajuwon (31) | Olajuwon (9) | Horry (9) | Bradley Center 14,556 | 24–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |39 | 7:30p.m. CST | @ San Antonio | L 100–103 | Olajuwon (36) | Olajuwon (14) | Maxwell (5) | Alamodome 33,360 | 24–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |40 | 7:30p.m. CST | Minnesota | W 114–93 | Olajuwon (25) | Thorpe (9) | Maxwell (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 25–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |41 | 7:30p.m. CST | Denver | W 86–74 | Olajuwon (25) | Olajuwon (13) | Cassell (10) | The Summit 14,761 | 26–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |42 | 7:30p.m. CST | Utah | W 121–101 | Olajuwon (40) | Thorpe (8) | Maxwell (10) | The Summit 16,611 | 27–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |43 | 2:30p.m. CST | @ Phoenix | W 124–100 | Olajuwon (28) | Olajuwon (11) | Cassell, Maxwell (7) | America West Arena 19,023 | 28–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |44 | 9:00p.m. CST | @ Portland | L 82–120 | Olajuwon (22) | Olajuwon (11) | Smith (5) | Memorial Coliseum 12,888 | 28–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |45 | 9:30p.m. CST | @ Sacramento | W 97–86 | Olajuwon (31) | Olajuwon (17) | Elie (6) | ARCO Arena 17,317 | 29–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |46 | 9:30p.m. CST | @ L.A. Clippers | L 107–122 | Olajuwon (34) | Olajuwon (7) | Cassell (10) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 7,178 | 29–17 |- align="center" |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |47 | 7:30p.m. CST | L.A. Clippers | W 124–104 | Olajuwon (26) | Chilcutt (11) | Smith (11) | The Summit 15,071 | 30–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |48 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Charlotte | W 105–89 | Olajuwon (29) | Olajuwon (14) | Cassell, Olajuwon(6) | Charlotte Coliseum 23,698 | 31–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |49 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ Washington | W 109–92 | Olajuwon (30) | Chilcutt (14) | Drexler (9) | USAir Arena 18,756 | 32–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |50 | 12Noon CST | @ New York | L 117–122 | Olajuwon (27) | Drexler (10) | Cassell (10) | Madison Square Garden 19,763 | 32–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |51 | 7:00p.m. CST | San Antonio | L 97–98 | Olajuwon (30) | Olajuwon (10) | Cassell (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 32–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |52 | 7:30p.m. CST | Detroit | W 110–99 | Olajuwon (36) | Olajuwon (12) | Horry (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 33–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |53 | 7:30p.m. CST | Golden State | W 112–105 | Olajuwon (38) | Olajuwon (15) | Cassell (16) | The Summit 16,611 | 34–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |54 | 7:30p.m. CST | Cleveland | W 86–78 | Olajuwon (20) | Olajuwon (11) | Cassell, Olajuwon (6) | The Summit 14,253 | 35–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |55 | 7:30p.m. CST | @ Dallas | L 101–102 | Drexler (24) | Brown (10) | Drexler (6) | Reunion Arena 17,502 | 35–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |56 | 8:45p.m. CST | Orlando | L 96–107 | Drexler (25) | Brown (11) | Elie (7) | The Summit 16,611 | 35–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |57 | 7:00p.m. CST | @ Minnesota | L 105–108 | Olajuwon (28) | Olajuwon (13) | Cassell (8) | Target Center 17,068 | 35–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |58 | 12Noon CST | @ San Antonio | L 103–124 | Olajuwon (25) | Drexler (8) | Cassell, Elie, Maxwell, Smith (4) | Alamodome 35,818 | 35–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |59 | 7:00p.m. CST | Phoenix | L 102–113 | Olajuwon (40) | Olajuwon (13) | Smith (7) | The Summit 16,611 | 35–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |60 | 7:30p.m. CST | Dallas | W 109–102 | Drexler (36) | Olajuwon (12) | Cassell (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 36–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |61 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ Atlanta | W 97–86 | Olajuwon (31) | Harrera, Olajuwon (11) | Cassell, Maxwell (6) | The Omni 11,746 | 37–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |62 | 6:30p.m. CST | @ Philadelphia | W 136–107 | Drexler (26) | Brown (10) | Smith (9) | CoreStates Spectrum 11,484 | 38–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |63 | 7:30p.m. CST | Minnesota | W 104–97 | Smith (23) | Herrera (9) | Drexler (6) | The Summit 10,711 | 39–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |64 | 2:30p.m. CST | Philadelphia | W 114–103 | Olajuwon (24) | Herrera, Olajuwon (9) | Cassell (10) | The Summit 16,611 | 40–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |65 | 7:30p.m. CST | Seattle | L 102–104 | Drexler (22) | Brown, Olajuwon (8) | Drexler (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 40–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |66 | 7:30p.m. CST | Utah | L 104–112 | Olajuwon (33) | Drexler, Olajuwon (9) | Olajuwon (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 40–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |67 | 8:00p.m. CST | @ Phoenix | W 99–97 | Smith (26) | Olajuwon (11) | Maxwell, Olajuwon, Smith (6) | America West Arena 19,023 | 41–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |68 | 8:30p.m. CST | @ L.A. Lakers | L 96–107 | Drexler (21) | Olajuwon (12) | Drexler, Smith (4) | Great Western Forum 17,505 | 41–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |69 | 7:30p.m. CST | L.A. Lakers | L 96–106 | Herrera (22) | Chilcutt (8) | Drexler, Smith (8) | The Summit 16,611 | 41–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |70 | 9:30p.m. CST | @ L.A. Clippers | W 108–96 | Drexler (41) | Drexler (18) | Cassell, Drexler (4) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 11,561 | 42–28 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |71 | 7:30p.m. CST | Milwaukee | L 87–93 | Drexler (23) | Herrera (9) | Smith (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 42–29 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |72 | 9:30p.m. CDT | @ Sacramento | L 105–109 | Drexler (29) | Drexler (8) | Drexler, Smith (3) | ARCO Arena 17,317 | 42–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |73 | 9:30p.m. CDT | @ Golden State | W 110–102 | Drexler (40) | Herrera (9) | Drexler (8) | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025 | 43–30 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |74 | 9:00p.m. CDT | @ Portland | L 109–127 | Cassell (31) | Drexler (10) | Drexler, Horry (6) | Memorial Coliseum 12,888 | 43–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |75 | 2:30p.m. CDT | @ Denver | W 123–120 | Drexler (34) | Drexler (13) | Cassell (6) | McNichols Sports Arena 17,171 | 44–31 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |76 | 7:30p.m. CDT | Dallas | L 147–156 (2OT) | Drexler, Smith (29) | Brown (14) | Drexler (11) | The Summit 16,431 | 44–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |77 | 7:30p.m. CDT | Portland | W 112–99 | Olajuwon (35) | Olajuwon (10) | Smith (8) | The Summit 16,611 | 45–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |78 | 7:30p.m. CDT | Sacramento | W 98–84 | Smith (18) | Olajuwon (13) | Smith (4) | The Summit 16,611 | 46–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |79 | 7:30p.m. CDT | L.A. Clippers | W 121–111 | Olajuwon (30) | Olajuwon (9) | Cassell (8) | The Summit 16,027 | 47–32 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |80 | 8:00p.m. CDT | @ Utah | L 96–115 | Olajuwon (30) | Olajuwon (10) | Olajuwon, Smith (4) | Delta Center 19,911 | 47–33 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |81 | 9:00p.m. CDT | @ Seattle | L 101–111 | Olajuwon (26) | Olajuwon (8) | Cassell (4) | Tacoma Dome 18,056 | 47–34 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |82 | 6:00p.m. CDT | Utah | L 97–103 | Maxwell (26) | Tabak (8) | Maxwell (4) | The Summit 16,611 | 47–35

  • Dec 29 vs Golden St - Maxwell hits game-winning three pointer with 1.6 left.

--

Playoffs

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |1 | 8:30p.m. CDT | @ Utah | L 100–102 | Olajuwon (45) | Chilcutt (9) | Olajuwon (9) | Delta Center 19,911 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |2 | 8:30p.m. CDT | @ Utah | W 140–126 | Smith (32) | Olajuwon, Horry (7) | Smith (9) | Delta Center 19,911 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |3 | 8:30p.m. CDT | Utah | L 82–95 | Olajuwon (30) | Olajuwon (10) | Horry, Smith (5) | The Summit 16,611 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |4 | 8:30p.m. CDT | Utah | W 123–106 | Drexler (41) | Drexler (9) | Drexler, Smith (6) | The Summit 16,611 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |5 | 2:00p.m. CST | @ Utah | W 95–91 | Olajuwon (33) | Olajuwon, Drexler (10) | Olajuwon, Cassell (4) | Delta Center 19,911

3–2
- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
! style=";"

| 9:30p.m. CDT | @ Phoenix | L 108–130 | Olajuwon (18) | Brown (6) | Smith (10) | America West Arena 19,023 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |2 | 9:30p.m. CDT | @ Phoenix | L 94–118 | Olajuwon (25) | Horry (8) | Drexler (7) | America West Arena 19,023 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |3 | 12Noon CDT | Phoenix | W 118–85 | Olajuwon (36) | Olajuwon (11) | Drexler (8) | The Summit 16,611 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |4 | 12Noon CDT | Phoenix | L 110–114 | Olajuwon (38) | Horry (17) | Cassell (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 1–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |5 | 9:30p.m. CDT | @ Phoenix | W 103–97 (OT) | Olajuwon (31) | Olajuwon (16) | Smith (7) | America West Arena 19,023 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |6 | 7:30p.m. CDT | Phoenix | W 116–103 | Olajuwon (30) | Olajuwon, Drexler (8) | Olajuwon (10) | The Summit 16,611 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |7 | 2:30p.m. CDT | @ Phoenix | W 115–114 | Olajuwon, Drexler (29) | Olajuwon (11) | Cassell (7) | America West Arena 19,023

4–3
- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
! style=";"

| 7:30p.m. CDT | @ San Antonio | W 94–93 | Olajuwon (27) | Drexler (12) | Olajuwon (6) | Alamodome 33,337 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |2 | 7:30p.m. CDT | @ San Antonio | W 106–96 | Olajuwon (41) | Olajuwon (16) | Elie, Cassell (7) | Alamodome 35,888 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |3 | 8:00p.m. CDT | San Antonio | L 102–107 | Olajuwon (43) | Olajuwon (11) | Drexler (9) | The Summit 16,611 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" ! style=";" |4 | 2:30p.m. CDT | San Antonio | L 81–103 | Olajuwon (20) | Olajuwon (14) | Olajuwon (5) | The Summit 16,611 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |5 | 8:00p.m. CDT | @ San Antonio | W 111–90 | Olajuwon (42) | Horry (13) | Cassell (12) | Alamodome 35,888 | 3–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |6 | 8:00p.m. CDT | San Antonio | W 100–95 | Olajuwon (39) | Olajuwon (17) | Drexler (7) | The Summit 16,611

4–2
- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
! style=";"

| 8:00p.m. CDT | @ Orlando | W 120–118 (OT) | Olajuwon (31) | Drexler (11) | Smith (9) | Orlando Arena 16,010 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |2 | 8:00p.m. CDT | @ Orlando | W 117–106 | Olajuwon (34) | Olajuwon (11) | Drexler (5) | Orlando Arena 16,010 | 2–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |3 | 6:30p.m. CDT | Orlando | W 106–103 | Olajuwon (31) | Olajuwon (14) | Drexler, Olajuwon (7) | The Summit 16,611 | 3–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" ! style=";" |4 | 8:00p.m. CDT | Orlando | W 113–101 | Olajuwon (35) | Olajuwon (15) | Drexler (8) | The Summit 16,611

4–0

Player stats

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
4228.1.372.240.653.8.4.26.103.0
2806.6.538.471.857.5.8.29.043.4
411419.9.603.333.6134.6.7.27.346.1
704.3.250.000.5001.4.0.14.00.7
82123.0.427.330.8432.64.91.15.179.5
681719.8.445.407.7384.71.0.37.635.3
353437.1.506.357.8097.04.41.77.6621.4
811323.4.499.398.8422.42.3.80.158.8
612621.8.523.000.6244.6.7.66.626.8
646132.4.447.379.7615.13.41.471.1910.2
3012.0.333.000.5002.3.0.00.331.0
645431.8.394.324.6882.64.31.17.2013.3
2508.1.400.422.625.9.2.28.123.5
727239.6.517.188.75610.83.51.853.3627.8
818125.1.484.429.8511.94.0.88.1210.4
3704.9.453.000.6141.5.1.05.192.0
363533.0.563.000.5288.91.6.61.3613.3

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
21115.5.447.500.6763.1.3.43.104.5
22022.0.438.400.8351.94.0.95.0911.0
201516.2.484.389.8242.9.9.35.204.5
222238.6.481.303.7867.05.01.50.6820.5
22628.9.504.431.7952.82.5.95.059.1
106.01.000.000.000.01.0.00.002.0
222238.2.445.400.7447.03.51.451.1813.1
19012.5.385.000.3332.3.0.21.53.7
1016.0.143.0001.0003.01.0.00.003.0
222242.2.531.500.68110.34.51.182.8233.0
222229.6.438.442.9002.24.5.64.1410.8
803.9.400.0001.000.1.1.12.38.8

Player statistics citation:

Playoffs

West First Round

(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 3-2

  • Game 1 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (April 27): Utah 102, Houston 100
  • Game 2 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (April 29): Houston 140, Utah 126
  • Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 3): Utah 95, Houston 82
  • Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 5): Houston 123, Utah 106
  • Game 5 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 7): Houston 95, Utah 91

Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference Finals (Houston won 4–1)

West Conference semifinals

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 4-3

  • Game 1 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 9): Phoenix 130, Houston 108
  • Game 2 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 11): Phoenix 118, Houston 94
  • Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 13): Houston 118, Phoenix 85
  • Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 14): Phoenix 114, Houston 110
  • Game 5 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 16): Houston 103, Phoenix 97 (OT)
  • Game 6 @ The Summit, Houston (May 18): Houston 116, Phoenix 103
  • Game 7 @ America West Arena, Phoenix (May 20): Houston 115, Phoenix 114

Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference Semifinals (Houston won 4–3)

West Conference finals

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 4-2

  • Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 22): Houston 94, San Antonio 93
  • Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 24): Houston 106, San Antonio 96
  • Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 26): San Antonio 107, Houston 102
  • Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 28): San Antonio 103, Houston 81
  • Game 5 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 30): Houston 111, San Antonio 90
  • Game 6 @ The Summit, Houston (June 1): Houston 100, San Antonio 95

Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Semifinals (Houston won 4–3)

NBA Finals

1995 NBA Finals Roster

Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich

Hakeem Olajuwon | Clyde Drexler | Kenny Smith | Robert Horry | Sam Cassell | Mario Elie | Carl Herrera | Vernon Maxwell | Chucky Brown | Pete Chilcutt | Tracy Murray | Tim Breaux | Žan Tabak | Charles Jones | Adrian Caldwell |

Olajuwon vs. O'Neal

Although both centers played well, Olajuwon is generally considered to have outplayed O'Neal. Olajuwon outscored O'Neal in every game of the series and became one of the few players in NBA history to score at least 30 points in every game of an NBA Finals series:

1995 NBA FinalsGm 1Gm 2Gm 3Gm 4Totals
Hakeem Olajuwon3134313532.8 ppg
Shaquille O'Neal2633282528.0 ppg

By winning his second straight NBA Finals MVP award, Hakeem Olajuwon became the sixth player to do so on multiple occasions, joining Willis Reed, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Olajuwon also joined Jordan as the only two players to win the award consecutively as of that time.

Series Summary

Main article: 1995 NBA Finals

GameDateHome teamResultRoad team
Game 1June 7Orlando118–120**Houston**
Game 2June 9Orlando106–117**Houston**
Game 3June 11**Houston**106–103Orlando
Game 4June 14**Houston**113–101Orlando

Rockets win series 4–0

Award winners

  • Hakeem Olajuwon – NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
  • Hakeem Olajuwon – All-NBA Third Team

References

References

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  2. "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995". Basketball-Reference.
  3. (February 15, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Traded for Otis Thorpe". The New York Times.
  4. Heisler, Mark. (February 15, 1995). "Portland Trades Drexler to Rockets: Pro Basketball: Trail Blazers Escape $9.75-Million Balloon Payment Due Next Season, Get Thorpe and a No. 1 Pick". Los Angeles Times.
  5. (February 15, 1995). "Drexler to Rockets; Blazers Deal Disgruntled Star, Murray for Thorpe, Pick". The Spokesman-Review.
  6. (February 2, 1995). "Rockets Place Herrera on Injured List". United Press International.
  7. Heisler, Mark. (June 7, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Both Teams Destined for Greatness: Analysis: It Seems Too Early for the Magic to Win It All. But for These Rockets, It's Never Too Late". Los Angeles Times.
  8. (June 11, 1995). "It's Tough to Keep Up with These Joneses". Orlando Sentinel.
  9. Bembry, Jerry. (June 13, 1995). "From Fringe to Finals for Jones". The Baltimore Sun.
  10. "1994–95 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  11. "1994–95 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  12. Cotton, Anthony. (February 12, 1995). "New-Age NBA Reaches for the Stars". The Washington Post.
  13. (September 13, 2021). "1995 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
  14. "1995 NBA All-Star Game: West 139, East 112". Basketball-Reference.
  15. Howard-Cooper, Scott. (May 24, 1995). "It's a Slam Dunk: Robinson Wins MVP: Pro Basketball: Spurs' Center Receives 73 First-Place Votes to 12 for Magic's O'Neal". Los Angeles Times.
  16. "1994–95 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
  17. (May 2, 1995). "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Mutombo Honored". The New York Times.
  18. Athreya, Arjun. (April 23, 2020). ""You Could See the Steam Coming Out His Ears": When Hakeem Olajuwon Was Denied the 1995 NBA MVP Award". Essentially Sports.
  19. Ahmad, Adel. (April 12, 2025). ""How They Gonna Disrespect Me Like That and Give Him My Trophy?" - Robert Horry Recalls Hakeem Olajuwon's Fury After David Robinson Won the 1995 MVP". Basketball Network.
  20. (May 4, 1995). "Malone Gives Jazz Victory Ride". The Spokesman-Review.
  21. (May 4, 1995). "Jazz 95, Rockets 82". United Press International.
  22. "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets Box Score, May 3, 1995". Basketball-Reference.
  23. Friend, Tom. (May 8, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Olajuwon Leads Charge as Rockets Oust Jazz". The New York Times.
  24. (May 8, 1995). "Backs to the Wall, Rockets Come Back: NBA Playoffs: Houston Plays Like a Champion to Beat Utah, 95–91, in Decisive Fifth Game". Los Angeles Times.
  25. "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference.
  26. (May 15, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Johnson and Suns Rise as the Rockets Cling". The New York Times.
  27. (May 15, 1995). "Rockets No Match for Johnson's Magic: NBA Playoffs: He Scores 43 as Suns Rally for 114-110 Victory and 3-1 Lead in Series". Los Angeles Times.
  28. Justice, Richard. (May 15, 1995). "Johnson's 43 Defuse Rockets". The Washington Post.
  29. Friend, Tom. (May 21, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Retire Suns, and Maybe Barkley". The New York Times.
  30. Howard-Cooper, Scott. (May 21, 1995). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Rockets Still Know How to Survive: Western Conference: Elie's Shot Beats Suns, 115–114, and Completes Comeback from 3–1 Deficit". Los Angeles Times.
  31. "1995 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Rockets vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference.
  32. Brown, Clifton. (June 2, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Do Homework and Return to Finals". The New York Times.
  33. Howard-Cooper, Scott. (June 2, 1995). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Rockets Still Have Dream of Repeating in the Finals: Western Conference: Olajuwon Leads Houston to 100–95 Victory over San Antonio to clinch series". Los Angeles Times.
  34. "1995 NBA Western Conference Finals: Rockets vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference.
  35. Brown, Clifton. (June 15, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Sweep to 2d Straight Championship". The New York Times.
  36. Howard-Cooper, Scott. (June 15, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Two-Ring Circus Hits Houston: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon (who else?) Is MVP Again After Leading Rockets to Sweep of Magic". Los Angeles Times.
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  41. (September 27, 1995). ""Mad Max" Is Gone, Now It's Good Old Maxwell". Deseret News.
  42. Long, Ernie. (September 27, 1995). "Sixers Sign Another Project in Maxwell; Ex-Rocket Will Play Point Guard". The Morning Call.
  43. (February 7, 1995). "NBA ROUNDUP: Maxwell Allegedly Strikes Fan in Loss to Portland". Los Angeles Times.
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  46. (May 3, 1995). "Disgruntled Maxwell Out for Year: Pro Basketball: Slighted by Backup Role, Rocket Guard Put on Indefinite Leave of Absence and Won't Return for Playoffs". Los Angeles Times.
  47. Rhoden, William C.. (September 28, 1995). "Sports of the Times; Clean Slate for Maxwell in Philly". The New York Times.
  48. (November 2, 1995). "Transactions". The Free Lance-Star.
  49. (November 2, 1995). "Transactions". The Daily Courier.
  50. Winderman, Ira. (September 29, 1995). "Free Agent Herrera to Sign with Spurs". Sun Sentinel.
  51. (September 30, 1995). "San Antonio Spurs Sign Five; Dennis Rodman Still in Limbo". The Spokesman-Review.
  52. Wise, Mike. (June 25, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Anthony Is No. 2 of the Secaucus 27". The New York Times.
  53. Heisler, Mark. (June 25, 1995). "Armstrong Becomes Top Expansion Pick: NBA: Raptors Take Guard from Bulls. Massenburg Also Headed to Toronto, While Lakers Lose Harvey to Vancouver". Los Angeles Times.
  54. "1995 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference.
  55. [http://www.hollywoodsportsbook.com/nbafinals/mvp_olajuwon94.cfm History of the NBA Finals: Hakeem Olajuwon: The NBA’s Best In The Mid ’90s], hollywoodsportsbook.com, accessed February 16, 2007.
  56. [http://www.basketball.com/nba/records/NBAfinIndGameScore.shtml NBA Finals Records] {{Webarchive. link. (2007-10-13 , Basketball.com, accessed February 16, 2007.)
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