1994–95 Houston Rockets season

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Rockets' 28th season in the National Basketball Association, and 24th season in Houston.[1] After winning their first championship, the Rockets went on to win their first nine games of the season. However, with increased competition in the West, management felt a change was needed to win another title. 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.[2][3][4][5][6] The team also signed free agent Chucky Brown midway through the season,[7][8] 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.[9][10] However, after holding a 29–17 record at the All-Star break,[11] the Rockets played .500 basketball in the second half of the season, posting an 18–18 record on their way to finishing third in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record.[12]

1994–95 Houston Rockets season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General managerBob Weinhauer
Owner(s)Leslie Alexander
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record47–35 (.573)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 6th (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Magic 4–0)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Prime Sports Southwest
(Bill Worrell, Calvin Murphy)
RadioKTRH
< 1993–94 1995–96 >

Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game, and was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game,[13][14][15][16] while Drexler averaged 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 35 games with the Rockets 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, while Kenny Smith contributed 10.4 points per game, 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, and Carl Herrera averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[17] Olajuwon also finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[18] and in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[19][20][21] According to Horry, when David Robinson was given his MVP trophy before a game in the San Antonio-Houston Western Conference Finals, Olajuwon leaned over to him and snarled "That's MY trophy", leading Horry to silently say "Uh-oh" in accurate expectation of the hell Olajuwon was about to unleash on the Spurs.[22][23]

In the playoffs, the Rockets faced the 3rd–seeded Utah Jazz in the Western Conference First Round. The Jazz would take a 2–1 series lead,[24][25][26] but the Rockets went on to win the series in five games.[27][28][29][30] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they faced the Phoenix Suns for the second consecutive year. After trailing 3–1,[31][32][33] the Rockets managed to defeat the 2nd-seeded Suns in seven games to advance to the Western Conference Finals.[34][35][36][37] In the all Texas Western Conference Finals, they faced the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Both teams lacked home court advantage in the series, only winning on the road until the Rockets won Game 6 at The Summit and advanced to the NBA Finals.[38][39][40][41] In the Finals, they swept the Orlando Magic in four straight games, and won their second consecutive championship, with Olajuwon being named Finals MVP for the second straight year.[42][43][44][45][46] 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.[47]

Following the season, Maxwell signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers;[48][49][50] Maxwell had a controversial season, which involved him punching a fan during a road game against the Trail Blazers on February 6, 1995, which cost him a ten-game suspension,[51][52][53][54] and leaving the team during the playoffs after being replaced with Drexler as the team's starting shooting guard.[55][56] Meanwhile, Murray signed with the newly expansion Toronto Raptors, Herrera signed with the San Antonio Spurs,[57][58] and Croatian rookie center Žan Tabak was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the Raptors.[59][60][61][62][63]

NBA draft

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
253Albert BurdittPF  United StatesTexas

Roster

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1994–95 Houston Rockets roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F15Breaux, Tim6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg)1970–09–19Wyoming
F52Brown, Chucky6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)214 lb (97 kg)1968–02–29NC State
G10Cassell, Sam6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)1969–11–18Florida State
F32Chilcutt, Pete6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1968–09–14North Carolina
G22Drexler, Clyde6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)210 lb (95 kg)1962–06–22Houston
G17Elie, Mario6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)1963–11–26American International
F7Herrera, Carl6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)215 lb (98 kg)1966–12–14Houston
F25Horry, Robert6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg)1970–08–25Alabama
F27Jones, Charles6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)215 lb (98 kg)1957–04–03Albany State
G11Maxwell, Vernon6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg)1965–09–12Florida
F31Murray, Tracy6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1971–07–25UCLA
C34Olajuwon, Hakeem7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)255 lb (116 kg)1963–01–21Houston
G30Smith, Kenny6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)170 lb (77 kg)1965–03–08North Carolina
C55Tabak, Žan7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)245 lb (111 kg)1970–06–15Croatia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 22, 1995

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs6220.75633–829–1220–6
x-Utah Jazz6022.732233–827–1417–9
x-Houston Rockets4735.5731525–1622–1913–13
x-Denver Nuggets4141.5002123–1818–2313–13
Dallas Mavericks3646.4392619–2217–2411–15
Minnesota Timberwolves2161.2564113–288–334–22
#
Team W L PCT GB
1x-San Antonio Spurs6220.756
2y-Phoenix Suns5923.7203
3x-Utah Jazz6022.7322
4x-Seattle SuperSonics5725.6955
5x-Los Angeles Lakers4834.58514
6x-Houston Rockets4735.57315
7x-Portland Trail Blazers4438.53718
8x-Denver Nuggets4141.50021
9Sacramento Kings3943.47623
10Dallas Mavericks3646.43926
11Golden State Warriors2656.31736
12Minnesota Timberwolves2161.25641
13Los Angeles Clippers1765.20745

Record vs. opponents

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1994-95 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILMINNJNNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta3–12–21–41–42–02–03–22–00–21–42–00–22–21–32–04–02–21–33–11–11–11–11–10–20–24–0
Boston1–31–30–42–21–11–13–12–01–12–20–21–14–11–32–02–30–52–33–11–10–21–10–21–10–23–1
Charlotte2–23–12–23–20–21–15–02–00–21–42–00–23–14–11–13–13–11–33–10–22–01–11–12–02–03–1
Chicago4–14–02–22–31–11–15–02–01–12–21–11–13–11–42–02–23–11–34–01–11–10–21–10–20–22–2
Cleveland4–12–22–33–20–21–12–22–00–22–31–11–11–34–01–14–02–21–33–11–11–11–10–20–21–13–1
Dallas0–21–12–01–12–01–41–13–12–31–13–11–30–21–14–11–10–20–22–00–43–12–22–30–42–41–1
Denver0–21–11–11–11–14–11–11–31–41–14–02–22–02–06–01–10–20–21–11–33–12–21–41–31–42–0
Detroit2–31–30–50–52–21–11–11–10–22–21–10–21–32–31–12–21–31–34–01–10–21–10–20–20–23–1
Golden State0–20–20–20–20–21–33–11–10–40–23–23–21–10–21–31–11–10–21–13–21–40–51–31–42–22–0
Houston2–01–12–01–12–03–24–12–04–01–13–10–42–01–13–22–00–20–22–03–11–33–11–50–42–32–0
Indiana4–12–24–12–23–21–11–12–22–01–12–01–12–23–22–03–11–32–24–01–11–12–02–01–10–23–1
L.A. Clippers0–22–00–21–11–11–30–41–12–31–30–22–30–21–11–30–20–20–21–11–40–51–40–40–51–30–2
L.A. Lakers2–01–12–01–11–13–12–22–02–34–01–13–21–11–13–12–00–21–11–11–42–33–21–34–12–22–0
Miami2–21–41–31–33–12–00–23–11–10–22–22–01–14–01–11–31–41–31–40–20–20–20–20–20–24–1
Milwaukee3–13–11–44–10–41–10–23–22–01–12–31–11–10–41–12–22–20–43–10–20–21–10–20–20–23–1
Minnesota0–20–21–10–21–11–40–61–13–12–30–23–11–31–11–11–10–21–11–10–40–41–30–50–41–41–1
New Jersey0–43–21–32–20–41–11–12–21–10–21–32–00–23–12–21–11–42–22–30–21–11–10–21–10–22–3
New York2–25–01–31–32–22–02–03–11–12–03–12–02–04–12–22–04–12–34–01–11–12–01–10–20–24–0
Orlando3–13–23–13–13–12–02–03–12–02–02–22–01–13–14–01–12–23–24–11–12–01–11–10–21–13–2
Philadelphia1–31–31–30–41–30–21–10–41–10–20–41–11–14–11–31–13–20–41–40–22–01–10–20–20–23–2
Phoenix1–11–12–01–11–14–03–11–12–31–31–14–14–12–02–04–02–01–11–12–05–04–12–24–12–22–0
Portland1–12–00–21–11–11–31–32–04–13–11–15–03–22–02–04–01–11–10–20–20–53–21–32–31–32–0
Sacramento1–11–11–12–01–12–22–21–15–01–30–24–12–32–01–13–11–10–21–11–11–42–30–43–20–41–1
San Antonio1–12–01–11–12–03–24–12–03–15–10–24–03–12–02–05–02–01–11–12–02–23–14–02–23–22–0
Seattle2–01–10–22–02–04–03–12–04–14–01–15–01–42–02–04–01–12–02–02–01–43–22–32–21–32–0
Utah2–02–00–22–01–14–24–12–02–23–22–03–12–22–02–04–12–02–01–12–02–23–14–02–33–12–0
Washington0–41–31–32–21–31–10–21–30–20–21–32–00–21–41–31–13–20–42–32–30–20–21–10–20–20–2

Game log

edit

Regular season

edit
1994–95 game log
Total: 47–35 (Home: 25–16; Road: 22–19)
November: 10–3 (home: 4–2; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1November 4, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
New JerseyW 90–86Olajuwon (19)Olajuwon, Thorpe (8)Cassell (5)The Summit
16,611
1–0
2November 5, 1994
7:00 p.m. CST
@ MinnesotaW 115–85Olajuwon (23)Thorpe (14)Maxwell (7)Target Center
16,578
2–0
3November 8, 1994
7:00 p.m. CST
@ ClevelandW 100–98Olajuwon (21)Olajuwon (12)Cassell (9)Gund Arena
20,562
3–0
4November 9, 1994
5:00 p.m. CST
@ IndianaW 109–104Olajuwon (43)Olajuwon (16)Cassell, Horry, Smith (5)Market Square Arena
15,258
4–0
5November 11, 1994
6:30 p.m. CST
@ BostonW 102–82Olajuwon (26)Olajuwon (14)Horry (6)Boston Garden
14,890
5–0
6November 12, 1994
6:30 p.m. CST
@ New JerseyW 100–84Olajuwon (31)Thorpe (13)Horry (5)Brendan Byrne Arena
20,049
6–0
7November 15, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
SacramentoW 105–99Olajuwon (28)Olajuwon (14)Maxwell (8)The Summit
14,656
7–0
8November 17, 1994
7:00 p.m. CST
ChicagoW 106–83Olajuwon (29)Olajuwon (14)Maxwell (8)The Summit
16,199
8–0
9November 19, 1994
8:00 p.m. CST
@ DenverW 109–101Olajuwon (26)Olajuwon (13)Cassell (9)McNichols Sports Arena
17,171
9–0
10November 22, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
PortlandL 94–102Olajuwon (27)Thorpe (10)Maxwell (6)The Summit
16,611
9–1
11November 23, 1994
6:30 p.m. CST
@ OrlandoL 94–117Olajuwon (27)Olajuwon, Thorpe (10)Maxwell (6)Orlando Arena
16,010
9–2
12November 26, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
SeattleL 94–98Maxwell (23)Olajuwon, Thorpe (13)Smith (7)The Summit
16,611
9–3
13November 29, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
DenverW 96–81Olajuwon (27)Olajuwon (12)Smith (9)The Summit
14,295
10–3
December: 8–6 (home: 5–3; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
14December 1, 1994
9:30 p.m. CST
@ Golden StateW 113–109Olajuwon (37)Olajuwon (13)Olajuwon (12)Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
11–3
15December 2, 1994
9:30 p.m. CST
@ L.A. LakersL 89–107Herrera (22)Herrera (11)Cassell (5)Great Western Forum
13,056
11–4
16December 6, 1994
7:00 p.m. CST
@ SeattleL 90–103Thorpe (21)Horry (10)Cassell (7)Tacoma Dome
13,017
11–5
17December 8, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
CharlotteW 101–95Smith (25)Thorpe (15)Cassell, Olajuwon (8)The Summit
12,792
12–5
18December 10, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
San AntonioL 96–108Olajuwon (20)Thorpe (14)Maxwell (7)The Summit
16,611
12–6
19December 13, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
WashingtonW 93–85Thorpe (27)Olajuwon, Thorpe (14)Maxwell, Smith (7)The Summit
13,889
13–6
20December 15, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
L.A. LakersL 94–97Olajuwon (22)Thorpe (16)Cassell (8)The Summit
11,943
13–7
21December 17, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
BostonL 109–112Maxwell (25)Olajuwon (12)Smith (7)The Summit
15,757
13–8
22December 22, 1994
7:00 p.m. CST
PhoenixW 114–106Smith (25)Olajuwon (15)Maxwell, Smith (7)The Summit
16,611
14–8
23December 23, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
@ San AntonioL 96–98Maxwell (27)Thorpe (13)Cassell, Smith (4)Alamodome
31,514
14–9
24December 26, 1994
6:30 p.m. CST
@ MiamiW 101–88Olajuwon (24)Olajuwon (12)Maxwell, Olajuwon (5)Miami Arena
15,200
15–9
25December 27, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
AtlantaW 105–93Olajuwon (35)Olajuwon (16)Olajuwon (8)The Summit
16,394
16–9
26December 29, 1994
7:30 p.m. CST
Golden StateW 126–124Olajuwon (42)Olajuwon (8)Cassell (10)The Summit
16,611
17–9
27December 30, 1994
8:00 p.m. CST
@ UtahW 111–103Olajuwon (37)Olajuwon (12)Olajuwon (7)Delta Center
19,911
18–9
January: 8–6 (home: 5–2; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
28January 3, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
@ DallasW 110–98Olajuwon (41)Olajuwon (13)Cassell, Maxwell (6)Reunion Arena
17,502
19–9
29January 5, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
DallasW 108–99Olajuwon (33)Herrera, Horry (8)Maxwell (9)The Summit
16,611
20–9
30January 7, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
IndianaL 83–88Olajuwon (27)Olajuwon (15)Cassell (6)The Summit
16,611
20–10
31January 11, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
MiamiW 108–97Smith (27)Olajuwon (11)Maxwell (7)The Summit
12,424
21–10
32January 13, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
San AntonioW 103–100Olajuwon (47)Olajuwon (10)Horry (9)The Summit
16,611
22–10
33January 14, 1995
8:00 p.m. CST
@ DenverL 104–118Olajuwon (41)Thorpe (13)Maxwell (5)McNichols Sports Arena
17,171
22–11
34January 16, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
@ MinnesotaL 75–94Olajuwon (22)Olajuwon (8)Smith (6)Target Center
12,442
22–12
35January 19, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
New YorkL 77–93Olajuwon (28)Olajuwon (17)Cassell, Maxwell, Olajuwon (5)The Summit
16,611
22–13
36January 20, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
@ DetroitW 106–96Olajuwon (34)Olajuwon (12)Cassell (9)The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
23–13
37January 22, 1995
12 Noon CST
@ ChicagoL 81–100Horry (19)Olajuwon (14)Maxwell (5)United Center
22,647
23–14
38January 24, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
@ MilwaukeeW 115–99Olajuwon (31)Olajuwon (9)Horry (9)Bradley Center
14,556
24–14
39January 26, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
@ San AntonioL 100–103Olajuwon (36)Olajuwon (14)Maxwell (5)Alamodome
33,360
24–15
40January 28, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
MinnesotaW 114–93Olajuwon (25)Thorpe (9)Maxwell (9)The Summit
16,611
25–15
41January 31, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
DenverW 86–74Olajuwon (25)Olajuwon (13)Cassell (10)The Summit
14,761
26–15
February: 9–5 (home: 5–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
42February 2, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
UtahW 121–101Olajuwon (40)Thorpe (8)Maxwell (10)The Summit
16,611
27–15
43February 5, 1995
2:30 p.m. CST
@ PhoenixW 124–100Olajuwon (28)Olajuwon (11)Cassell, Maxwell (7)America West Arena
19,023
28–15
44February 6, 1995
9:00 p.m. CST
@ PortlandL 82–120Olajuwon (22)Olajuwon (11)Smith (5)Memorial Coliseum
12,888
28–16
45February 8, 1995
9:30 p.m. CST
@ SacramentoW 97–86Olajuwon (31)Olajuwon (17)Elie (6)ARCO Arena
17,317
29–16
46February 9, 1995
9:30 p.m. CST
@ L.A. ClippersL 107–122Olajuwon (34)Olajuwon (7)Cassell (10)Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
7,178
29–17
All-Star Break
47February 14, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
L.A. ClippersW 124–104Olajuwon (26)Chilcutt (11)Smith (11)The Summit
15,071
30–17
48February 16, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
@ CharlotteW 105–89Olajuwon (29)Olajuwon (14)Cassell, Olajuwon(6)Charlotte Coliseum
23,698
31–17
49February 17, 1995
6:30 p.m. CST
@ WashingtonW 109–92Olajuwon (30)Chilcutt (14)Drexler (9)USAir Arena
18,756
32–17
50February 19, 1995
12 Noon EST
@ New YorkL 117–122Olajuwon (27)Drexler (10)Cassell (10)Madison Square Garden
19,763
32–18
51February 21, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
San AntonioL 97–98Olajuwon (30)Olajuwon (10)Cassell (9)The Summit
16,611
32–19
52February 23, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
DetroitW 110–99Olajuwon (36)Olajuwon (12)Horry (9)The Summit
16,611
33–19
53February 25, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
Golden StateW 112–105Olajuwon (38)Olajuwon (15)Cassell (16)The Summit
16,611
34–19
54February 27, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
ClevelandW 86–78Olajuwon (20)Olajuwon (11)Cassell, Olajuwon (6)The Summit
14,253
35–19
55February 28, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
@ DallasL 101–102Drexler (24)Brown (10)Drexler (6)Reunion Arena
17,502
35–20
March: 7–8 (home: 3–5; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
56March 2, 1995
8:45 p.m. CST
OrlandoL 96–107Drexler (25)Brown (11)Elie (7)The Summit
16,611
35–21
57March 3, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
@ MinnesotaL 105–108Olajuwon (28)Olajuwon (13)Cassell (8)Target Center
17,068
35–22
58March 5, 1995
12 Noon CST
@ San AntonioL 103–124Olajuwon (25)Drexler (8)Cassell, Elie, Maxwell, Smith (4)Alamodome
35,818
35–23
59March 7, 1995
7:00 p.m. CST
PhoenixL 102–113Olajuwon (40)Olajuwon (13)Smith (7)The Summit
16,611
35–24
60March 11, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
DallasW 109–102Drexler (36)Olajuwon (12)Cassell (6)The Summit
16,611
36–24
61March 13, 1995
6:30 p.m. CST
@ AtlantaW 97–86Olajuwon (31)Harrera, Olajuwon (11)Cassell, Maxwell (6)The Omni
11,746
37–24
62March 14, 1995
6:30 p.m. CST
@ PhiladelphiaW 136–107Drexler (26)Brown (10)Smith (9)CoreStates Spectrum
11,484
38–24
63March 16, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
MinnesotaW 104–97Smith (23)Herrera (9)Drexler (6)The Summit
10,711
39–24
64March 19, 1995
2:30 p.m. CST
PhiladelphiaW 114–103Olajuwon (24)Herrera, Olajuwon (9)Cassell (10)The Summit
16,611
40–24
65March 21, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
SeattleL 102–104Drexler (22)Brown, Olajuwon (8)Drexler (6)The Summit
16,611
40–25
66March 23, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
UtahL 104–112Olajuwon (33)Drexler, Olajuwon (9)Olajuwon (6)The Summit
16,611
40–26
67March 24, 1995
8:00 p.m. CST
@ PhoenixW 99–97Smith (26)Olajuwon (11)Maxwell, Olajuwon, Smith (6)America West Arena
19,023
41–26
68March 26, 1995
8:30 p.m. CST
@ L.A. LakersL 96–107Drexler (21)Olajuwon (12)Drexler, Smith (4)Great Western Forum
17,505
41–27
69March 28, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
L.A. LakersL 96–106Herrera (22)Chilcutt (8)Drexler, Smith (8)The Summit
16,611
41–28
70March 30, 1995
9:30 p.m. CST
@ L.A. ClippersW 108–96Drexler (41)Drexler (18)Cassell, Drexler (4)Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
11,561
42–28
April: 5–7 (home: 3–3; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
71April 1, 1995
7:30 p.m. CST
MilwaukeeL 87–93Drexler (23)Herrera (9)Smith (6)The Summit
16,611
42–29
72April 4, 1995
9:30 p.m. CDT
@ SacramentoL 105–109Drexler (29)Drexler (8)Drexler, Smith (3)ARCO Arena
17,317
42–30
73April 6, 1995
9:30 p.m. CDT
@ Golden StateW 110–102Drexler (40)Herrera (9)Drexler (8)Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
15,025
43–30
74April 7, 1995
9:00 p.m. CDT
@ PortlandL 109–127Cassell (31)Drexler (10)Drexler, Horry (6)Memorial Coliseum
12,888
43–31
75April 9, 1995
2:30 p.m. CDT
@ DenverW 123–120Drexler (34)Drexler (13)Cassell (6)McNichols Sports Arena
17,171
44–31
76April 11, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
DallasL 147–156 (2OT)Drexler, Smith (29)Brown (14)Drexler (11)The Summit
16,431
44–32
77April 13, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
PortlandW 112–99Olajuwon (35)Olajuwon (10)Smith (8)The Summit
16,611
45–32
78April 15, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
SacramentoW 98–84Smith (18)Olajuwon (13)Smith (4)The Summit
16,611
46–32
79April 17, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
L.A. ClippersW 121–111Olajuwon (30)Olajuwon (9)Cassell (8)The Summit
16,027
47–32
80April 19, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ UtahL 96–115Olajuwon (30)Olajuwon (10)Olajuwon, Smith (4)Delta Center
19,911
47–33
81April 20, 1995
9:00 p.m. CDT
@ SeattleL 101–111Olajuwon (26)Olajuwon (8)Cassell (4)Tacoma Dome
18,056
47–34
82April 23, 1995
6:00 p.m. CDT
UtahL 97–103Maxwell (26)Tabak (8)Maxwell (4)The Summit
16,611
47–35
1994–95 schedule


Playoffs

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1995 playoff game log
Western Conference First Round: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 27, 1995
8:30 p.m. CDT
@ UtahL 100–102Olajuwon (45)Chilcutt (9)Olajuwon (9)Delta Center
19,911
0–1
2April 29, 1995
8:30 p.m. CDT
@ UtahW 140–126Smith (32)Olajuwon, Horry (7)Smith (9)Delta Center
19,911
1–1
3May 3, 1995
8:30 p.m. CDT
UtahL 82–95Olajuwon (30)Olajuwon (10)Horry, Smith (5)The Summit
16,611
1–2
4May 5, 1995
8:30 p.m. CDT
UtahW 123–106Drexler (41)Drexler (9)Drexler, Smith (6)The Summit
16,611
2–2
5May 7, 1995
2:00 p.m. CST
@ UtahW 95–91Olajuwon (33)Olajuwon, Drexler (10)Olajuwon, Cassell (4)Delta Center
19,911
3–2
Western Conference Semifinals: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 9, 1995
9:30 p.m. CDT
@ PhoenixL 108–130Olajuwon (18)Brown (6)Smith (10)America West Arena
19,023
0–1
2May 11, 1995
9:30 p.m. CDT
@ PhoenixL 94–118Olajuwon (25)Horry (8)Drexler (7)America West Arena
19,023
0–2
3May 13, 1995
12 Noon CDT
PhoenixW 118–85Olajuwon (36)Olajuwon (11)Drexler (8)The Summit
16,611
1–2
4May 14, 1995
12 Noon CDT
PhoenixL 110–114Olajuwon (38)Horry (17)Cassell (9)The Summit
16,611
1–3
5May 16, 1995
9:30 p.m. CDT
@ PhoenixW 103–97 (OT)Olajuwon (31)Olajuwon (16)Smith (7)America West Arena
19,023
2–3
6May 18, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
PhoenixW 116–103Olajuwon (30)Olajuwon, Drexler (8)Olajuwon (10)The Summit
16,611
3–3
7May 20, 1995
2:30 p.m. CDT
@ PhoenixW 115–114Olajuwon, Drexler (29)Olajuwon (11)Cassell (7)America West Arena
19,023
4–3
Western Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 1–2; road: 3–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 22, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
@ San AntonioW 94–93Olajuwon (27)Drexler (12)Olajuwon (6)Alamodome
33,337
1–0
2May 24, 1995
7:30 p.m. CDT
@ San AntonioW 106–96Olajuwon (41)Olajuwon (16)Elie, Cassell (7)Alamodome
35,888
2–0
3May 26, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
San AntonioL 102–107Olajuwon (43)Olajuwon (11)Drexler (9)The Summit
16,611
2–1
4May 28, 1995
2:30 p.m. CDT
San AntonioL 81–103Olajuwon (20)Olajuwon (14)Olajuwon (5)The Summit
16,611
2–2
5May 30, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ San AntonioW 111–90Olajuwon (42)Horry (13)Cassell (12)Alamodome
35,888
3–2
6June 1, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
San AntonioW 100–95Olajuwon (39)Olajuwon (17)Drexler (7)The Summit
16,611
4–2
NBA Finals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1June 7, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ OrlandoW 120–118 (OT)Olajuwon (31)Drexler (11)Smith (9)Orlando Arena
16,010
1–0
2June 9, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
@ OrlandoW 117–106Olajuwon (34)Olajuwon (11)Drexler (5)Orlando Arena
16,010
2–0
3June 11, 1995
6:30 p.m. CDT
OrlandoW 106–103Olajuwon (31)Olajuwon (14)Drexler, Olajuwon (7)The Summit
16,611
3–0
4June 14, 1995
8:00 p.m. CDT
OrlandoW 113–101Olajuwon (35)Olajuwon (15)Drexler (8)The Summit
16,611
4–0
1995 schedule

Player stats

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Legend
  GPGames 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

Regular season

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Tim Breaux4228.1.372.240.653.8.4.26.103.0
Scott Brooks2806.6.538.471.857.5.8.29.043.4
Chucky Brown411419.9.603.333.6134.6.7.27.346.1
Adrian Caldwell704.3.250.000.5001.4.0.14.00.7
Sam Cassell82123.0.427.330.8432.64.91.15.179.5
Pete Chilcutt681719.8.445.407.7384.71.0.37.635.3
Clyde Drexler353437.1.506.357.8097.04.41.77.6621.4
Mario Elie811323.4.499.398.8422.42.3.80.158.8
Carl Herrera612621.8.523.000.6244.6.7.66.626.8
Robert Horry646132.4.447.379.7615.13.41.471.1910.2
Charles Jones3012.0.333.000.5002.3.0.00.331.0
Vernon Maxwell645431.8.394.324.6882.64.31.17.2013.3
Tracy Murray2508.1.400.422.625.9.2.28.123.5
Hakeem Olajuwon727239.6.517.188.75610.83.51.853.3627.8
Kenny Smith818125.1.484.429.8511.94.0.88.1210.4
Žan Tabak3704.9.453.000.6141.5.1.05.192.0
Otis Thorpe363533.0.563.000.5288.91.6.61.3613.3

Playoffs

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Chucky Brown21115.5.447.500.6763.1.3.43.104.5
Sam Cassell22022.0.438.400.8351.94.0.95.0911.0
Pete Chilcutt201516.2.484.389.8242.9.9.35.204.5
Clyde Drexler222238.6.481.303.7867.05.01.50.6820.5
Mario Elie22628.9.504.431.7952.82.5.95.059.1
Carl Herrera106.01.000.000.000.01.0.00.002.0
Robert Horry222238.2.445.400.7447.03.51.451.1813.1
Charles Jones19012.5.385.000.3332.3.0.21.53.7
Vernon Maxwell1016.0.143.0001.0003.01.0.00.003.0
Hakeem Olajuwon222242.2.531.500.68110.34.51.182.8233.0
Kenny Smith222229.6.438.442.9002.24.5.64.1410.8
Žan Tabak803.9.400.0001.000.1.1.12.38.8

Playoffs

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West First Round

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(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

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

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

West Conference finals

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(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

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1995 NBA Finals Roster

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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

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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:[64][65]

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

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GameDateHome teamResultRoad team
Game 1June 7Orlando118–120Houston
Game 2June 9Orlando106–117Houston
Game 3June 11Houston106–103Orlando
Game 4June 14Houston113–101Orlando

Rockets win series 4–0

Award winners

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

Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1994-95 Houston Rockets
  2. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Traded for Otis Thorpe". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1995. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. ^ 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. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "Roundup". The Washington Post. February 15, 1995. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Drexler to Rockets; Blazers Deal Disgruntled Star, Murray for Thorpe, Pick". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. February 15, 1995. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
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  7. ^ "Rockets Place Herrera on Injured List". United Press International. February 2, 1995. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  8. ^ 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. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  9. ^ "It's Tough to Keep Up with These Joneses". Orlando Sentinel. June 11, 1995. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  10. ^ Bembry, Jerry (June 13, 1995). "From Fringe to Finals for Jones". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
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