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1985–86 Houston Rockets season

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Houston Rockets

| end_year = 1986

| DivisionWin = yes

| ConferenceWin = yes

| wins = 51

| losses = 31

| division = Midwest

| division_place = 1

| conf_place = 2

| coach = Bill Fitch

| gm = Ray Patterson

| owner = Charlie Thomas

| arena = The Summit

| television = KTXH
Home Sports Entertainment

| radio = KTRH

| playoffs = NBA Finals
(lost to Celtics 2–4)

| bbr_team = HOU

}}

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{{cite web|author=Roy S. Johnson|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/26/sports/fitch-finds-old-habits-hard-to-break.html|title=FITCH FINDS OLD HABITS HARD TO BREAK|publisher=The New York Times|date=May 26, 1986|accessdate=December 8, 2021}} 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}}

class="wikitable sortable sortable"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Houston Rockets}}" width="10%"|Round

! style="{{NBA color cell|Houston Rockets}}" width="10%"|Pick

! style="{{NBA color cell|Houston Rockets}}" width="20%"|Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Houston Rockets}}" width="15%"|Position

! style="{{NBA color cell|Houston Rockets}}" width="15%"|Nationality

! style="{{NBA color cell|Houston Rockets}}" width="20%"|College/Club team

style="text-align: center"

| 1

19Steve HarrisSG{{flagu|United States}}Tulsa
style="text-align: center"

| 3

54Sam MitchellSF{{flagu|United States}}Mercer
style="text-align: center"

| 3

57Michael Payne{{flagu|United States}}Iowa
style="text-align: center"

| 4

88Mike Brooks{{flagu|United States}}Tennessee
style="text-align: center"

| 6

134Sam Potter{{flagu|United States}}Oral Roberts

Roster

{{NBA roster header|team=Houston Rockets

| bg1 = #B50000 | color1 = #FFFFFF

| bg2 = #FFAA1D | color2 = #000000

}}

{{player2 | num = 3 | first = Craig | last = Ehlo | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 180 | college = Washington State}}

{{player2 | num = 20 | first = Steve | last = Harris | dab = basketball | | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 5 | lbs = 195 | college = Tulsa}}

{{player2 | num = 30 | first = Allen | last = Leavell | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 170 | college = Oklahoma City}}

{{player2 | num = 32 | first = Lewis | last = Lloyd | pos = G/F | ft = 6 | in = 6 | lbs = 205 | college = Drake University}}

{{player2 | num = 5 | first = John | last = Lucas II| pos = PG | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 175 | college = Maryland}}

{{player2 | num = 22 | first = Rodney | last = McCray | dab = basketball | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 7 | lbs = 220 | college = Louisville}}

{{player2 | num = 8 | first = Hank | last = McDowell | pos = PF | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 215 | college = Memphis}}

{{player2 | num = 34 | first = Akeem | last = Olajuwon | link = Hakeem Olajuwon | pos = C | ft = 7 | in = 0 | lbs = 255 | college = Houston}}

{{player2 | num = 43 | first = Jim | last = Petersen| pos = F/C | ft = 6 | in = 10 | lbs = 235 | college = Minnesota}}

{{player2 | num = 33 | first = Robert | last = Reid | dab = basketball | pos = SF | ft = 6 | in = 8 | lbs = 205 | college = St. Mary's (TX)}}

{{player2 | num = 50 | first = Ralph | last = Sampson| pos = F/C | ft = 7 | in = 4 | lbs = 228 | college = Virginia}}

{{player2 | num = 31 | first = Granville | last = Waiters| pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 11 | lbs = 225 | college = Ohio State}}

{{player2 | num = 15 | first = Mitchell | last = Wiggins | pos = SG | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 185 | college = South Carolina}}

{{NBA roster footer

| head_coach =

| asst_coach =

}}

Regular season

=Season standings=

{{1985–86 NBA Midwest standings|team=HOU}}

{{1985–86 NBA West standings|team=HOU}}

=Record vs. opponents=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
colspan=24|1985-86 NBA Records
width=100|Team

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|ATL

!style="background:#006400;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|BOS

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#000000;width=35"|CHI

!style="background:#FF8C00;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|CLE

!style="background:#008000;color:#00008B;width=35"|DAL

!style="background:#0000CD;color:#FFD700;width=35"|DEN

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FF0000;width=35"|DET

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFD700;width=35"|GSW

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#FFD700;width=35"|HOU

!style="background:#000080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|IND

!style="background:#F9160D;color:#1A2E8B;width=35"|LAC

!style="background:#800080;color:#FFD700;width=35"|LAL

!style="background:#006400;color:#B22222;width=35"|MIL

!style="background:#B0170C;color:#00056D;width=35"|NJN

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FF8C00;width=35"|NYK

!style="background:#FF0000;color:#0000FF;width=35"|PHI

!style="background:#800080;color:#FF4500;width=35"|PHO

!style="background:#000000;color:#FF0000;width=35"|POR

!style="background:#0000FF;color:#FFFFFF;width=35"|SAC

!style="background:#000000;color:#C0C0C0;width=35"|SAS

!style="background:#005831;color:#FFC322;width=35"|SEA

!style="background:#36004A;color:#FFFF00;width=35"|UTA

!style="background:#DC143C;color:#0000CD;width=35"|WAS

style="text-align:left;" | Atlanta—0–65–14–21–11–14–21–11–15–12–01–13–34–25–14–12–02–02–01–11–10–21–4
style="text-align:left;" | Boston6–0—5–15–11–11–14–12–02–05–12–02–05–04–25–14–21–11–11–12–02–02–05–1
style="text-align:left;" | Chicago1–51–5—3–30–22–02–42–01–13–31–10–21–52–34–21–51–11–10–21–11–11–11–4
style="text-align:left;" | Cleveland2–41–53–3—1–11–11–50–20–23–21–11–11–53–34–10–62–00–22–01–11–10–21–5
style="text-align:left;" | Dallas1–11–12–01–1—3–30–24–11–52–02–31–40–22–01–10–25–02–33–34–23–25–11–1
style="text-align:left;" | Denver1–11–10–21–13–3—1–13–23–32–04–13–22–01–11–11–14–13–23–33–32–33–32–0
style="text-align:left;" | Detroit2–41–44–25–12–01–1—1–11–15–12–01–12–44–24–12–40–21–10–21–12–01–14–2
style="text-align:left;" | Golden State1–10–20–22–01–42–31–1—0–51–15–12–40–21–11–11–12–41–52–32–32–42–31–1
style="text-align:left;" | Houston1–10–21–12–05–13–31–15–0—2–03–21–40–21–12–01–13–23–24–25–13–23–32–0
style="text-align:left;" | Indiana1–51–53–32–30–20–21–51–10–2—2–00–22–42–32–40–61–10–20–21–12–00–25–1
style="text-align:left;" | L.A. Clippers0–20–21–11–13–21–40–21–52–30–2—2–41–12–02–00–22–42–45–01–43–33–20–2
style="text-align:left;" | L.A. Lakers1–10–22–01–14–12–31–14–24–12–04–2—2–01–11–12–05–16–05–04–14–25–02–0
style="text-align:left;" | Milwaukee3–30–55–15–12–00–24–22–02–04–21–10–2—4–26–04–11–12–02–02–02–02–04–2
style="text-align:left;" | New Jersey2–42–43–23–30–21–12–41–11–13–20–21–12–4—5–12–42–02–02–01–10–22–02–4
style="text-align:left;" | New York1–51–52–41–41–11–11–41–10–24–20–21–10–61–5—0–62–00–21–11–11–10–23–3
style="text-align:left;" | Philadelphia1–42–45–16–02–01–14–21–11–16–02–00–21–44–26–0—2–02–02–01–11–11–13–3
style="text-align:left;" | Phoenix0–21–11–10–20–51–42–04–22–31–14–21–51–10–20–20–2—2–42–33–25–11–41–1
style="text-align:left;" | Portland0–21–11–12–03–22–31–15–12–32–04–20–60–20–22–00–24–2—3–21–45–12–30–2
style="text-align:left;" | Sacramento0–21–12–00–23–33–32–03–22–42–00–50–50–20–21–10–23–22–3—5–15–02–41–1
style="text-align:left;" | San Antonio1–10–21–11–12–43–31–13–21–51–14–11–40–21–11–11–12–34–11–5—2–32–42–0
style="text-align:left;" | Seattle1–10–21–11–12–33–20–24–22–30–23–32–40–22–01–11–11–51–50–53–2—2–31–1
style="text-align:left;" | Utah2–00–21–12–01–53–31–13–23–32–02–30–50–20–22–01–14–13–24–24–23–2—1–1
style="text-align:left;" | Washington4–11–54–15–11–10–22–41–10–21–52–00–22–44–23–33–31–12–01–10–21–11–1—

Game log

=Regular season=

{{NBA game log start|Houston Rockets|end_year=1986|bgcolor=#FF0000|color=#FFD700|record=Total: 51–31 (home: 36–5; road: 15–26)}}

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|October|first=yes|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 1

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 2

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 1

| October 25, 1985

| @ Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198510250UTA.html W 112–108]

|

|

|

| Salt Palace Acord Arena

| 1–0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 2

| October 26, 1985

| @ L.A. Clippers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198510260LAC.html L 129–130 (2OT)]

|

|

|

| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

| 1–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 3

| October 29, 1985

| Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198510290HOU.html W 111–99]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 2–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 4

| October 31, 1985

| @ Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198510310SAC.html L 116–122]

|

|

|

| ARCO Arena

| 2–2

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|November|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 9

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 4

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 5

| November 2, 1985

| San Antonio

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511020HOU.html W 111–98]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 3–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 6

| November 5, 1985

| Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511050HOU.html W 127–113]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 4–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 7

| November 7, 1985

| L.A. Clippers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511070HOU.html W 137–115]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 5–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 8

| November 9, 1985

| @ Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511090DAL.html W 115–110]

|

|

|

| Reunion Arena

| 6–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 9

| November 12, 1985

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511120HOU.html W 127–119]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 7–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 10

| November 14, 1985

| New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511140HOU.html W 112–107]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 8–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 11

| November 16, 1985

| Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511160HOU.html W 122–117]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 9–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 12

| November 19, 1985

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511190DEN.html L 113–127]

|

|

|

| McNichols Sports Arena

| 9–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 13

| November 20, 1985

| Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511200HOU.html W 126–97]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 10–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 14

| November 22, 1985

| @ Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511220SEA.html L 103–122]

|

|

|

| Seattle Center Coliseum

| 10–4

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 15

| November 24, 1985

| @ Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511240POR.html L 118–125]

|

|

|

| Memorial Coliseum

| 10–5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 16

| November 26, 1985

| Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511260HOU.html W 130–108]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 11–5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 17

| November 27, 1985

| @ L.A. Clippers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511270LAC.html W 137–130 (OT)]

|

|

|

| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

| 12–5

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 18

| November 29, 1985

| @ Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511290PHO.html L 110–126]

|

|

|

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

| 12–6

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 19

| November 30, 1985

| Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198511300HOU.html W 131–114]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 13–6

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|December|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 6

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 6

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 20

| December 3, 1985

| Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512030HOU.html W 118–112]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 14–6

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 21

| December 6, 1985
9:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| @ L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512060LAL.html L 112–120]

| Sampson (32)

| Olajuwon (13)

| Lucas
Sampson (9)

| The Forum
17,505

| 14–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 22

| December 7, 1985

| Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512070HOU.html W 116–104]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 15–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 23

| December 10, 1985

| Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512100HOU.html W 134–105]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 16–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 24

| December 12, 1985

| Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512120HOU.html W 123–110]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 17–7

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 25

| December 14, 1985

| @ Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512140UTA.html L 100–114]

|

|

|

| Salt Palace Acord Arena

| 17–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 26

| December 17, 1985

| @ Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512170CLE.html W 98–94]

|

|

|

| Richfield Coliseum

| 18–8

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 27

| December 18, 1985

| @ Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512180PHI.html L 108–126]

|

|

|

| The Spectrum

| 18–9

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 28

| December 20, 1985

| @ New Jersey

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512200NJN.html L 112–122]

|

|

|

| Brendan Byrne Arena

| 18–10

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 29

| December 21, 1985
6:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| @ Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512210ATL.html L 122–123]

| Lloyd (34)

| Sampson (15)

| Lucas (11)

| The Omni
8,563

| 18–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 30

| December 26, 1985

| Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512260HOU.html W 106–99]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 19–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 31

| December 28, 1985

| Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512280HOU.html W 118–108]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 20–11

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 32

| December 30, 1985

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198512300DEN.html L 122–125]

|

|

|

| McNichols Sports Arena

| 20–12

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|January|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 8

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 4

| road_losses = 1

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 33

| January 2, 1986

| @ Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601020GSW.html W 120–115]

|

|

|

| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

| 21–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 34

| January 4, 1986

| Philadelphia

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601040HOU.html W 115–100]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 22–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 35

| January 7, 1986

| Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601070HOU.html W 124–115]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 23–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 36

| January 9, 1986

| San Antonio

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601090HOU.html W 120–110]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 24–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 37

| January 11, 1986

| Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601110HOU.html W 87–86]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 25–12

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 38

| January 14, 1986

| Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601140HOU.html L 102–105]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 25–13

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 39

| January 15, 1986

| @ San Antonio

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601150SAS.html W 119–113]

|

|

|

| HemisFair Arena

| 26–13

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 40

| January 18, 1986

| New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601180HOU.html W 104–95]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 27–13

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 41

| January 19, 1986

| @ Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601190DAL.html L 96–131]

|

|

|

| Reunion Arena

| 27–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 42

| January 21, 1986

| @ Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601210SEA.html W 100–96]

|

|

|

| Seattle Center Coliseum

| 28–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 43

| January 23, 1986

| Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601230HOU.html W 124–107]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 29–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 44

| January 25, 1986

| Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601250HOU.html W 117–112]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 30–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 45

| January 28, 1986

| Cleveland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601280HOU.html W 116–109]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 31–14

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 46

| January 30, 1986

| @ Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198601300SAC.html W 111–109]

|

|

|

| ARCO Arena

| 32–14

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|February|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 4

| home_losses = 2

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 5

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 47

| February 1, 1986

| @ Chicago

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602010CHI.html L 122–132]

|

|

|

| Chicago Stadium

| 32–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 48

| February 3, 1986

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602030HOU.html W 104–102]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 33–15

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 49

| February 6, 1986
7:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602060HOU.html L 95–117]

| Olajuwon (18)

| Olajuwon (14)

| Lucas (8)

| The Summit
16,016

| 33–16

|- align="center"

|colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break

|- style="background:#cfc;"

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 50

| February 11, 1986
7:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| Atlanta

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602110HOU.html W 113–100]

| Sampson (27)

| McCray (14)

| Lucas (16)

| The Summit
16,016

| 34–16

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 51

| February 13, 1986

| @ San Antonio

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602130SAS.html L 115–119]

|

|

|

| HemisFair Arena

| 34–17

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 52

| February 15, 1986

| @ L.A. Clippers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602150LAC.html L 101–108]

|

|

|

| Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

| 34–18

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 53

| February 17, 1986

| @ Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602170GSW.html W 116–110]

|

|

|

| Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

| 35–18

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 54

| February 18, 1986

| @ Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602180SAC.html L 105–115]

|

|

|

| ARCO Arena

| 35–19

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 55

| February 20, 1986
7:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602200HOU.html L 113–120]

| Sampson (24)

| Petersen (9)

| Lucas (7)

| The Summit
14,448

| 35–20

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 56

| February 21, 1986

| @ Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602210DAL.html W 111–104]

|

|

|

| Reunion Arena

| 36–20

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 57

| February 24, 1986

| Dallas

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602240HOU.html W 110–105]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 37–20

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 58

| February 25, 1986

| @ Utah

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602250UTA.html L 97–100]

|

|

|

| Salt Palace Acord Arena

| 37–21

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 59

| February 27, 1986

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602270HOU.html W 117–111]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 38–21

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|March|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 5

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 3

| road_losses = 7

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 60

| March 1, 1986

| @ Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603010POR.html L 112–117]

|

|

|

| Memorial Coliseum

| 38–22

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 61

| March 3, 1986

| @ Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603030SEA.html L 105–118]

|

|

|

| Seattle Center Coliseum

| 38–23

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 62

| March 4, 1986

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603040DEN.html L 115–128]

|

|

|

| McNichols Sports Arena

| 38–24

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 63

| March 6, 1986

| Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603060HOU.html W 116–105]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 39–24

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 64

| March 8, 1986

| San Antonio

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603080HOU.html W 126–117]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 40–24

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 65

| March 11, 1986
7:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603110HOU.html L 104–116]

| Sampson (23)

| Petersen
Sampson (12)

| Lewis Lloyd,
Lucas (9)

| The Summit
16,016

| 40–25

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 66

| March 13, 1986

| Portland

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603130HOU.html W 126–118]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 41–25

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 67

| March 15, 1986

| L.A. Clippers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198602150HOU.html W 148–116]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 42–25

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 68

| March 16, 1986
9:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| @ L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603160LAL.html L 111–116]

| Sampson (27)

| Sampson (16)

| McCray (10)

| The Forum
17,505

| 42–26

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 69

| March 18, 1986

| Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603180HOU.html W 112–109]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 43–26

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 70

| March 20, 1986
7:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| @ Milwaukee

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603200MIL.html L 106–116]

| Sampson (20)

| Sampson (14)

| Sampson (6)

| MECCA Arena
11,052

| 43–27

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 71

| March 22, 1986

| @ New York

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603220NYK.html W 114–99]

|

|

|

| Madison Square Garden

| 44–27

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 72

| March 24, 1986
7:00{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| @ Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603240BOS.html L 107–114]

| Olajuwon (29)

| Olajuwon (14)

| Leavell (6)

| Boston Garden
14,890

| 44–28

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 73

| March 26, 1986

| @ Indiana

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603260IND.html W 110–101]

|

|

|

| Market Square Arena

| 45–28

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 74

| March 28, 1986

| @ Detroit

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603280DET.html L 107–116]

|

|

|

| Pontiac Silverdome

| 45–29

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 75

| March 29, 1986

| @ Washington

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198603290WSB.html W 114–109]

|

|

|

| Capital Centre

| 46–29

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|April|bgcolor=#FFD700|color=#FF0000

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 1

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 76

| April 1, 1986

| Golden State

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604010HOU.html W 125–121]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 47–29

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 77

| April 3, 1986

| @ San Antonio

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604030SAS.html W 136–110]

|

|

|

| HemisFair Arena

| 48–29

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 78

| April 4, 1986

| @ Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604040PHO.html W 112–89]

|

|

|

| Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

| 49–29

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 79

| April 6, 1986
2:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604060HOU.html W 109–103]

| Olajuwon (25)

| Sampson (17)

| Sampson (9)

| The Summit
16,016

| 50–29

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 80

| April 8, 1986

| Seattle

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604080HOU.html W 109–95]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 51–29

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 81

| April 10, 1986
9:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CST

| @ L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604100LAL.html L 113–117]

| Olajuwon (34)

| McCray,
Olajuwon (8)

| McCray (10)

| The Forum
17,505

| 51–30

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 82

| April 12, 1986

| Phoenix

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604120HOU.html L 92–110]

|

|

|

| The Summit

| 51–31

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=HOU|end_year=1986}}

Playoffs

{{NBA game log start|Houston Rockets|end_year=1986|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#BA0C2F|color=#FFC82C}}

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|First Round|show=no|first=yes|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#FFC82C|color=#BA0C2F

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 0

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 1

| April 17, 1986

| Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604170HOU.html W 107–87]

| Akeem Olajuwon (29)

| Akeem Olajuwon (15)

| Rodney McCray (7)

| The Summit
15,101

| 1–0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 2

| April 19, 1986

| Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604190HOU.html W 111–103]

| Robert Reid (29)

| Ralph Sampson (8)

| Reid, Sampson (6)

| The Summit
16,016

| 2–0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 3

| April 22, 1986

| @ Sacramento

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604220SAC.html W 113–98]

| Lloyd, Sampson (25)

| Akeem Olajuwon (13)

| Lloyd, McCray (7)

| ARCO Arena I
10,333

| 3–0

|-

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|Conference Semifinals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#FFC82C|color=#BA0C2F

| home_wins = 3

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 1

| road_losses = 2

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 1

| April 26, 1986

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604260HOU.html W 126–119]

| Akeem Olajuwon (38)

| Akeem Olajuwon (16)

| Robert Reid (9)

| The Summit
15,448

| 1–0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 2

| April 29, 1986

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198604290HOU.html W 119–101]

| Ralph Sampson (27)

| Akeem Olajuwon (14)

| Rodney McCray (10)

| The Summit
16,016

| 2–0

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 3

| May 2, 1986

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605020DEN.html L 115–116]

| Akeem Olajuwon (31)

| Akeem Olajuwon (11)

| McCray, Lloyd (8)

| McNichols Sports Arena
17,022

| 2–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 4

| May 4, 1986

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605040DEN.html L 111–114 (OT)]

| Ralph Sampson (28)

| Ralph Sampson (13)

| Robert Reid (7)

| McNichols Sports Arena
14,152

| 2–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 5

| May 6, 1986

| Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605060HOU.html W 131–103]

| Akeem Olajuwon (36)

| Akeem Olajuwon (19)

| Robert Reid (12)

| The Summit
16,016

| 3–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 6

| May 8, 1986

| @ Denver

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605080DEN.html W 126–122 (2OT)]

| Akeem Olajuwon (28)

| Ralph Sampson (18)

| Rodney McCray (7)

| McNichols Sports Arena
17,022

| 4–2

|-

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|Western Conference Finals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#FFC82C|color=#BA0C2F

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 0

| road_wins = 2

| road_losses = 1

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 1

| May 10, 1986
2:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| @ L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605100LAL.html L 107–119]

| Olajuwon (28)

| Olajuwon (16)

| Reid (8)

| The Forum
17,505

| 0–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 2

| May 13, 1986
9:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| @ L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605130LAL.html W 112–102]

| Lloyd,
Sampson (24)

| Sampson (16)

| McCray (11)

| The Forum
17,505

| 1–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 3

| May 16, 1986
8:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605160HOU.html W 117–109]

| Olajuwon (40)

| Olajuwon (12)

| Reid (12)

| The Summit
16,016

| 2–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 4

| May 18, 1986
2:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605180HOU.html W 105–95]

| Olajuwon (35)

| Petersen (13)

| McCray (6)

| The Summit
16,016

| 3–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 5

| May 21, 1986
10:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| @ L.A. Lakers

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605210LAL.html W 114–112]

| Olajuwon (30)

| Olajuwon (7)

| McCray (11)

| The Forum
17,505

| 4–1

|-

{{NBA game log section|Houston Rockets|NBA Finals|show=no|playoffs=yes|bgcolor=#FFC82C|color=#BA0C2F

| home_wins = 2

| home_losses = 1

| road_wins = 0

| road_losses = 3

}}

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 1

| May 26, 1986
2:00{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| @ Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605260BOS.html L 100–112]

| Olajuwon (33)

| Olajuwon (12)

| Reid (8)

| Boston Garden
14,890

| 0–1

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 2

| May 29, 1986
8:00{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| @ Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198605290BOS.html L 95–117]

| Olajuwon (21)

| Olajuwon (10)

| McCray,
Reid (5)

| Boston Garden
14,890

| 0–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 3

| June 1, 1986
2:30{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198606010HOU.html W 106–104]

| Sampson (24)

| Sampson (22)

| Reid (9)

| The Summit
16,016

| 1–2

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 4

| June 3, 1986
8:00{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198606030HOU.html L 103–106]

| Sampson (25)

| Olajuwon (14)

| Sampson (9)

| The Summit
16,016

| 1–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"

| 5

| June 5, 1986
8:00{{nbsp}}p.m. CDT

| Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198606050HOU.html W 111–96]

| Olajuwon (32)

| Olajuwon (14)

| Reid (17)

| The Summit
16,016

| 2–3

|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"

| 6

| June 8, 1986
12{{nbsp}}Noon CDT

| @ Boston

| [https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198606080BOS.html L 97–114]

| Olajuwon (21)

| Olajuwon (10)

| McCray,
Reid (5)

| Boston Garden
14,890

| 2–4

|-

{{NBA game log end|bbr_team=HOU|end_year=1986|playoffs=yes}}

Player statistics

{{NBA roster statistics legend}}

=Season=

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%"
style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="10%" |Player

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%"| GP

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%"| GS

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | MPG

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | FG%

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | 3FG%

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | FT%

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | RPG

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | APG

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | SPG

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" | BPG

! style="background:#BA0C2F; color:#FFFFFF; border-top:#FFC82C 3px solid; border-bottom:#FFC82C 3px solid;" width="6%" |PPG

Craig Ehlo3605.5.429.333.7931.3.8.3.12.7
Steve Harris5708.5.442.200.9261.0.9.4.14.5
Allen Leavell741216.1.463.358.854.93.2.8.17.9
Lewis Lloyd828229.8.529.200.8434.03.71.2.316.9
John Lucas Jr.656532.6.446.308.7752.28.81.2.115.5
Rodney McCray828231.8.537.000.7706.33.6.6.710.3
Hank McDowell2209.3.571.000.6802.2.3.0.13.0
Akeem Olajuwon686836.3.526.000.64511.52.02.03.423.5
Jim Petersen822020.3.477.000.7064.81.0.5.76.2
Robert Reid82526.3.464.182.7573.72.71.1.212.0
Ralph Sampson797636.3.488.133.46111.13.61.31.618.9
Granville Waiters4303.6.333.000.167.7.2.1.2.6
Mitchell Wiggins78015.4.454.083.7292.01.3.8.16.8

=Playoffs=

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%"
style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="10%" | Player

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | GP

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | GS

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | MPG

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | FG%

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | 3FG%

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | FT%

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | RPG

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | APG

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | SPG

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | BPG

! style="background:#BC1E2C; color:white" width="6%" | PPG

|

Awards and records

=Awards=

=Records=

{{Empty section|date=December 2012}}

Transactions

=Trades=

{{Empty section|date=December 2012}}

=Free agents=

{{col-begin}}{{col-break|width=52%}}

==Additions==

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"

| style="width:140px"|Player

style="width:70px"|Signedstyle="width:210px"|Former team
style="height:40px"

|

style="font-size: 80%"|

{{col-break}}

==Subtractions==

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"

| style="width:140px"|Player

style="width:70px"|Leftstyle="width:210px"|New team
style="height:40px"

|

style="font-size: 80%"|

{{col-end}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

{{1985–86 NBA season by team}}

{{Houston Rockets}}

{{Houston Rockets seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1985-86 Houston Rockets Season}}

Category:Houston Rockets seasons

Category:Western Conference (NBA) championship seasons

Hou

Category:1985 in sports in Texas

Category:1986 in sports in Texas

Category:1985 in Houston

Category:1986 in Houston