In 1986, the Rockets stunned the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals while the Celtics cruised through the playoffs.
Not only did the Rockets upset the Lakers, but they also beat them in five games.
Ralph Sampson’s last-second shot off an out-of-bounds play snapped a tie and eliminated the Lakers in Game 5.
The shot sent the Rockets to the NBA Finals and set up a rematch of the 1981 championship.
Not many expected the Celtics to face the Rockets. McHale certainly didn’t.
“I was disappointed somewhat that Houston beat the Lakers,” he said. “I really wanted a piece of the Lakers in ’86.
But, once Houston got there, I never thought for a second that Houston could beat us.
I looked at that team and said there’s just no way.”
After comfortably winning the first two games of the series at Boston Garden, the Celtics traveled to Houston and were beaten by the Rockets in Game 3.
The Rockets had defeated the favored Los Angeles Lakers twice at home during the Western Conference finals, and they were hopeful of a repeat performance in Game 4.
But Boston played well down the stretch in the fourth quarter and earned a 106-103 victory to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Game 5 was the opposite: the Rockets blew out the Celtics by 15.
The one who let the team down the most was Larry Bird, who only scored 17, which wasn’t nearly enough to compete with Houston.
The Celtics were furious with their performance in game five and were ready to bounce back. But, instead, Larry Bird led the charge and was prepared for his retaliation.
Upon hearing how loud the Boston Garden was before the game, he returned to the locker room and informed his teammates that the crowd was fired-up and wanted Rocket blood, and if they did not get it, they might wish for it Celtic blood instead.
Kevin McHale said, “They weren’t beating us here today.
They hurt us the worst way they could in Game 5.
They hurt our pride. It’s not often that 12 guys together have on their game face, but that’s what happened today.”
McHale dominated Sampson with 29 points and ten rebounds in game six, as Ralph scored eight low-impact second-half points.
Larry later said it was the most pumped-up he had ever been for an NBA game.
He had a triple-double night dropping a 29-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound, and three steals for good measure.
He was all over the floor, cutting passing lanes, double-teaming and getting back to his assignment, forcing turnovers left and right, and diving for every ball.
Boston led by 21 after three periods and as many as 28 in the fourth quarter before calling off the dogs.
When the score reached 106-84 with 2:20 remaining, head coach, K.C Jones finally substituted for his four future Hall of Fame starters.
The dominating win capped Boston’s 15-3 post-season run to the crown.
They went 10-0 at home in the playoffs, with their closest call coming in the epic 135-131 double-overtime win over Chicago in game two of the opening round – the thriller where Michael Jordan scored a playoff-record 63 points yet still lost.
