Head coach P.J. Carlesimo Record 44–38 (.537) | Arena Rose Garden Arena | |
Place Division: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 6th (Western) Playoff finish West First Round (eliminated 2–3) | ||
The 1995–96 NBA season was the 26th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. After spending their first 25 years at the Memorial Coliseum, the Blazers began playing at the new Rose Garden Arena this season. The Blazers struggled through most of the season posting a 26–34 record around March 5. However, they would win 18 of their final 22 games to finish the season with a 44–38 record. Fourth in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference, making their 14th straight trip to the postseason and 19th in 20 years. Rookie Arvydas Sabonis was selected to the All-Rookie First Team.
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In the playoffs, the Blazers were knocked out in the first round again losing to the Utah Jazz in five games, suffering a 38-point margin in a 102–64 loss in Game 5. Following the season, Rod Strickland who no longer wanted to play for the Blazers was traded along with Harvey Grant to the Washington Bullets, Buck Williams signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks, and James Robinson was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
West First Round
(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers Last Playoff Meeting: 1992 Western Conference Finals (Portland won 4-2)
*Required overtime