To many NBA pudit’s surprise at the time….The Houston Rockets entered Game 5 of the 1986 NBA Western Conference Finals on May 21, 1986 against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3 – 1 series lead over the defending NBA Champions….who were huge favorites to send the Rockets home early in the series….for this was the Lakers of Kareem Abdule-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambus, Michael Cooper, Maurice Lucas and Mitch Kupchak….one of the most dominant Lakers team in their fabled history….only to have Ralph Sampson put a dagger in Laker hearts all over the world….with a last second, game ending, conference winning shot with no time remaining….in one of the biggest upsets in NBA Western Conference Finals history.
The Rockets were led by their big three frontcourt of Ralph Sampson (29), Akeem Olajuwon (30) and Rodney McCray (11)….who combined for 70 points over the Lakers….who were led by their big three of Abdule-Jabbar (29), Magic Johnson (26) and James worth (19)….who combined for 69 points…..making this game a virtual tie….except for Sampson last second shot…..but any way you cut the pie….this was a game for the ages….as the boys from H-Town spanked the heavily favored Lakers….giving them the right to face the Boston Celteics in the 1986 NBA Finals.
