1995 NBA Championship

Lore & Background

In the 1995 playoffs, the Rockets became the first NBA team to win nine road playoff games and to beat four 50-win teams in a single postseason. It was the second NBA Finals sweep in the 2–3–2 Finals format (after the Detroit Pistons did so against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989). The Rockets also became the first repeat NBA Champion in history to keep the title with a sweep. In addition, the Rockets became the first team in NBA history to win the title without having home-court advantage in any of the four playoff rounds since the playoffs was expanded to a 16 team format in 1984. Coincidentally, this feat would also be achieved in the NHL by the New Jersey Devils that same year, when they won the Stanley Cup over the Presidents' Trophy winning Detroit Red Wings.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Compaq Center was thick with tension as Game 4 of the Finals began. Hakeem Olajuwon stood at the free-throw line, his foot still wrapped tightly from months of rest. The crowd held its breath; one more basket would seal the second consecutive title against a Magic team that seemed unstoppable just weeks prior. As he released the ball, it swished through the net, and the roar of Houston erupted, celebrating not just a win, but a miracle of perseverance.

Reader's Guide

The Orlando Magic, making their first NBA Finals appearance, began the series at home. With the Magic up 110–107 late in Game 1, Nick Anderson missed four consecutive free throws in the closing seconds, and Kenny Smith hit a three-pointer, tying the game and sending it to overtime. The Rockets won in overtime and eventually swept the Magic. Game 2 saw Hakeem Olajuwon record a double-double with 34 points and 11 rebounds in a 117–106 victory. In Game 3, Robert Horry hit a three-pointer to give Houston a 104–100 lead with 14.1 seconds left; the Rockets held on for a 106–103 win. In Game 4, the Rockets outscored the Magic 66–50 in the second half to win their second consecutive NBA championship. Olajuwon, with his 35-point and 15 rebound performance, was named Finals MVP for the second straight year.

Did You Know?

• The Rockets were the lowest-seeded team (6th seed) to win the NBA Finals.
• The Rockets became the first NBA team to win nine road playoff games in a single postseason.
• The Rockets beat four 50-win teams in the 1995 playoffs.
• The Rockets were the first repeat NBA Champion to keep the title with a sweep.
• The Rockets were the first team to win the title without home-court advantage in any of the four playoff rounds since the 16-team format began in 1984.