Houston Rockets Playoff History

The Houston Rockets made their first-playoff appearance as the San Diego Rockets in 1969, which resulted in a first round exit at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. After moving to Houston, the Houston Rockets made their first playoff appearance in their new city in 1975 and defeated the New York Knicks before losing to Boston in the conference semifinals. With the leadership of Moses Malone, the Houston Rockets defeated the Washington Bullets in 1977 before being eliminated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference finals. In 1979, the Houston Rockets made their last playoff appearance of the decade after being swept by the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.

The Houston Rockets made playoff appearances almost every year in the 1980s and early 1990s, missing the playoffs only in 1983 and 1984. In 1981 and 1986 the Houston Rockets advanced to the NBA Finals, but were defeated by the Boston Celtics each time. Though they did not win any NBA championships in the 1980s, the Houston Rockets’ roster included All-Stars Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Calvin Murphy, Rudy Tomjanovich, Mike Dunleavy, Ralph Sampson, and Vernon Maxwell. In 1987-1992 seasons, the Houston Rockets had records over .500, yet failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.

The Houston Rockets playoffs history forever changed in 1994 when the Houston Rockets brought an NBA title to the city of Houston for their first time in Houston Rockets history. The Houston Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and the Utah Jazz en route to their NBA Finals matchup against the New York Knicks. In game six of the NBA Finals, the Houston Rockets led the New York Knicks by only 2 points, and the Houston Rockets were able to hold on to that lead when Hakeem Olajuwon made a clutch defensive block, keeping the Houston Rockets’ hope of an NBA Championship alive. The Houston Rockets won game seven of the NBA Finals and the title of NBA Champions for the first time.

The Houston Rockets hoped to repeat their championship glory in the 1995 season, and their hopes became a reality when the Houston Rockets added Clyde “The Glide” Drexler to the Houston Rockets lineup. With the teamwork of Houston Rockets players Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon and the expert coaching of Rudy Tomjanovich, the Houston Rockets were able to defeat the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs, despite the fact that the Houston Rockets were a sixth seed and the underdog. The Houston Rockets moved on to defeat the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs, before sweeping Shaquille O’Neal and the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. The Houston Rockets won the NBA Championship and also broke records becoming the first sixth seed to ever win the NBA Finals.

Largely due to injuries, the Houston Rockets were unable to add a third championship in 1996, after they were defeated by the Seattle Supersonics in the conference semifinals. In 1997, the Houston Rockets returned to the conference finals facing and losing to the Utah Jazz, which spurred a growing rivalry between the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz and star Utah players John Stockton and Karl Malone. The rest of the 1990s brought two first round exits in the playoffs.

The Houston Rockets struggled and did not make the playoffs again until 2004, since their first-round defeat by Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999. The 2004 playoff berth was largely thanks to Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 center from China and the Houston Rockets’ first pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. After the 2004 season, the Houston Rockets traded for Tracy McGrady from the Orlando Magic. The dynamic duo of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming led the Houston Rockets to a 51-31 record, the best record for the Houston Rockets in a decade. The Houston Rockets lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2005 and 2007, failing to make the playoffs in 2006 due to injuries to superstars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

The Houston Rockets schedule has been very exciting the past season, and after the 22-game winning streak, Houston Rockets tickets have never been more appealing. The current Houston Rockets arena, Toyota Center, is known for its electric environment and fan appeal. The Houston Rockets logo can be seen in posters, shirts, caps, and jerseys all over the arena.  With the skillful playing of the Houston Rockets and the entertainment of the Houston Rockets halftime show, Houston Rockets tickets are sure to provide an action-packed experience you will not soon forget.

The Houston Rockets are sure to make the playoffs in 2008, and Tracy McGrady hopes to lead the Houston Rockets out of the second round of the playoffs for the first time in his career. The Houston Rockets are currently battling for the best record in the stacked Western Conference, and their final record will determine their opponent and future in the playoffs. Critics have argued the Houston Rockets’ 22 game winning streak was due to the soft Houston Rockets Schedule during the streak, but there is not arguing the magnitude of their success this regular season Yao Ming suffered a season-ending injury and will likely miss the playoffs, leaving all the pressure on the shoulders of Tracy McGrady to lead the Houston Rockets to victory.

Tracy McGrady has never led his team out of the first round of the playoffs while playing for the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, or Toronto Raptors, and critics question if he has the mental ability to get over the block of the first round. Tracy McGrady plans on silencing his critics this year and, along with the help of Houston Rockets teammates of Bobby Jackson, Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, and Aaron Brooks.

The Houston Rockets have captured the attention of the nation after their record-breaking 22 game winning streak, while Houston Rockets fans and franchise hope their success will continue far into the playoffs.