1993 Western Conference Semifinals vs Houston Rockets
A rivalry forged in the playoffs of the 1990s, with each meeting producing the eventual Western Conference champion.
The Jazz–Rockets rivalry is a National Basketball Association (NBA) rivalry between the Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets. The rivalry began in the 1990s when the Rockets, led by dominant center Hakeem Olajuwon and college teammate Clyde Drexler, and the Jazz, led by the pick-and-roll duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton, were playoff powers in the Midwest Division. The teams faced each other four times in the NBA playoffs during the decade. In all four instances, the winner was the eventual Western Conference champion and played in the NBA Finals.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Jazz won 4-1
- Key opponent
- Hakeem Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
- Jazz leaders
- Karl Malone and John Stockton
- Venue significance
- First time Jazz swept a road series in Houston since moving to Utah
- Malone avg points
- Approx. 30 points per game in the series
- Outcome
- Advanced to Western Conference Finals vs Phoenix Suns
Lore & Background
The first meeting in the playoffs between the Rockets and the Jazz was in the 1985 NBA playoffs. Houston, led by its 'Twin Towers' of Ralph Sampson and Olajuwon, amassed a 48–34 record in 1984–85, earning a second-place finish in the Midwest Division and the third seed in the playoffs. Utah, tied for fourth in the Midwest with San Antonio, wound up as the sixth seed, reaching the postseason for only the second time in franchise history. Utah, with Stockton, Adrian Dantley, and shot-blocking center Mark Eaton, defeated Houston and its Twin Towers in 5 games despite losing Eaton to an injured right knee.
Reader's Guide
The 1993 Western Conference Semifinals between the Jazz and Rockets is not article. Therefore, the outcome of that series is unclear from the source.
Did You Know?
- The Rockets won the 1994 Western Conference Finals against the Jazz 4–1, then went on to win the NBA Championship against the New York Knicks.
- In the 1995 playoffs, the Rockets eliminated the Jazz in the first round, winning the series 3–2, and later repeated as NBA Champions.
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