What happened in the 1986 NBA Finals?
The 1986 NBA Finals was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s 1985–86 season, and the culmination of the season’s playoffs. It pitted the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics against the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets, in a rematch of the 1981 Finals…
Who led the Rockets in scoring in the 1986 playoffs?
Ralph Sampson led the Rockets with 25 points, while Akeem Olajuwon, Robert Reid and Rodney McCray added 21, 19 and 17 respectively. The Rockets suffered their first home loss of the 1986 playoffs.
What happened to the Rockets in the 1983 NBA Finals?
Then in the conference finals, Boston swept the Milwaukee Bucks in four games, a direct reversal of their second round meeting in the 1983 NBA Playoffs . Following their previous Finals appearance in 1981, the Rockets entered a brief rebuilding period.
What happened to the Celtics in the 1985 Finals?
The Celtics made the 1985 NBA Finals, but lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. The series exposed some of Boston’s weaknesses, such as the lack of bench scoring, which was exploited after Kevin McHale moved to the starting lineup with Cedric Maxwell bothered by knee injuries.
What happened in Game 6 of the NBA Finals?
While Jim Petersen led the Rockets to a decisive victory, Sampson’s actions motivated the Celtics to end the series in six. Bird dismantled the young Rockets in game 6; the raucous Garden crowd booed every time Sampson touched the ball.
What was the last NBA championship in the 1980s?
It was the second and last NBA Championship Series of the 1980s not to feature the Los Angeles Lakers . The heavily favored Celtics defeated the Rockets four games to two to win their 16th NBA championship. The championship would be the Celtics’ last until 2008. Larry Bird was named the Finals MVP .
What happened to players in the 1986 NBA draft?
There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. His death was ruled an overdose that resulted from the abuse of the drug cocaine.
Who were the sideline reporters for the 1985 NBA Finals?
Meanwhile, Brent Musburger was the host and Pat O’Brien (the Rockets ‘ sideline) and Lesley Visser (the Celtics ‘ sideline) were the sideline reporters . The Celtics made the 1985 NBA Finals, but lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers.