1993 Western Conference Semifinals vs Rockets
A rivalry forged in the playoffs of the 1990s, with four postseason meetings and each winner reaching the NBA Finals.
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. In 2007, the rivalry was restored as the two teams met again in the playoffs and a showdown of two of the best 1–2 combos of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming of the Rockets and Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer of the Jazz. In 2018, the rivalry was once again restored as the two teams met in the Western Conference Semifinals, where the Rockets won the series 4–1. In 2019, the two teams met once again in the playoffs, but in the First Round, with the Rockets once again winning the series 4–1.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Rockets won 4-3
- Key jazz players
- Karl Malone
- John Stockton
- Jeff Hornacek
- Opponent leader
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- Series format
- Best of Seven
- Season context
- 1992-93 NBA Season
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 first playoff meeting was in 1985. The teams met in the 1994 Western Conference Finals, the 1995 First Round, and the 1997 Western Conference Finals. In 1994, the Rockets won the series 4–1 and went on to win the NBA championship. In 1995, the Rockets won the series 3–2 and repeated as champions. In 1997, the Jazz won the series 4–2 and advanced to the NBA Finals.
Did You Know?
- The Jazz and Rockets first met in the playoffs in 1985, with Utah winning in 5 games.
- In 1995, the Rockets eliminated the Jazz in the First Round, 3–2, and became the lowest seed to win the NBA championship.
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