The Rockets would encounter the top seeded Spurs waiting (62–20) for them in the Conference Finals. Despite a slow start, the 6th-seeded Rockets (47–35) managed to get through their first opponent, the 3rd-seeded Utah Jazz (60–22) 3–2, and the 2nd-seeded Phoenix Suns (59–23) 4–3. In 1995, the Rockets looked to win their second straight NBA championship. The Spurs waited another 18 years to see a Finals berth and Title. Capped by Calvin Murphy's 42 points, the Rockets defeated the Spurs to advance to the Conference Finals and defeated the likewise 40–42 Kansas City Kings, and moved on to the 1981 NBA Finals where they were defeated by the Celtics. In a classic Game 7, the 40–42 Rockets looked to upset the 52–30 Spurs to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Olajuwon, Notable games 1981 NBA Playoffs The memories, the competition, the rivalry. I'm sure it's going to be strange, but at the same time it will be very special. "I think when I walk on to that court (at the Alamodome), maybe then it might hit me, all the games I played against San Antonio and the great rivalry we had.I'm pretty sure David will be very surprised to see me wearing a new uniform. The rivalry sparkled in 1995 when the sixth-seeded Rockets led by Hakeem Olajuwon beat the top-seeded Spurs led by MVP David Robinson.Įven after Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001, he recalled the fond memories he had of playing against his old San Antonio rival. The Rockets would advance to the Finals in a losing cause to the Boston Celtics. The Rockets and Spurs fought to the bitter end before the Rockets held on to win Game 7 capped by Murphy's 42 points. The Spurs had home-court advantage, and were heavily favored, winning the Midwest Division Title and the Rockets only 40–42. They met again in 1981, this time in the second round. The rivalry grew intense as both teams moved from the East to the West. ![]() In 1980, they met in the playoffs for the first time as the Rockets led by Moses Malone and Calvin Murphy beat the Spurs led by George Gervin and James Silas 2–1. The Rockets and Spurs competed for the division title, with the Rockets winning it first in 1977 and the Spurs in 19. The rivalry began in 1976 when the Spurs moved from the American Basketball Association along with the Denver Nuggets, New York Nets, and Indiana Pacers. 4.1 1980 Eastern Conference First Round.
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