Houston Rockets: 15 greatest playoff moments of all-time

1. Houston wins back-to-back titles

It’s never easy winning back-to-back NBA titles, but the Rockets were an anomaly to the rule in 1995. They returned as title favorites, but the regular season didn’t quite go as planned. Houston finished with a 47-35 record, sixth in the Western Conference standings but as the underdog, the Rockets used it to their advantage.

In the first round, they got past the Utah Jazz in five games. In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Phoenix Suns pushed them to seven games, but Mario Elie’s 3-pointer proved to push them over the edge, as the Rockets edged them 4-3 in the series.

In the Western Conference Finals, David Robinson and the San Antonio Spurs stood in the way. Olajuwon put up three 40+ point games, as he led the way past them in six games, 4-2. He put in 35.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.2 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest in the series.

In the NBA Finals, juggernauts faced off in Shaquille O’Neal of the Orlando Magic and Olajuwon. It seemed Olajuwon had hit his stride though, as he had his way throughout the NBA Finals. It almost looked like he’d been there before, as he produced 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per contest, as the Rockets won their second straight title.

They’re one of just 12 teams in NBA history to win back-to-back titles, though some have won a lot more than just two in a row. Their last NBA title came as a sign of a dynasty, though it didn’t last long, with Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Robert Horry and Sam Cassell. They’re familiar names with Rockets fans for a reason, that’s for sure.