Head coach Jerry Sloan Record 55–27 (.671) | Arena Delta Center | |
Place Division: 2nd (Midwest)
Conference: 3rd (Western) Playoff finish West Conference Finals
(eliminated 3–4) Television Prime Sports Intermountain West, KJZZ-TV | ||
The 1995–96 NBA season was the Jazz's 22nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 17th season in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the offseason, the Jazz signed free agents Chris Morris and Greg Foster, then signed point guard Howard Eisley in December. John Stockton had another record breaking season leading the NBA in assists for the ninth straight season while breaking Maurice Cheeks career record in steals. Meanwhile, Karl Malone moved into ninth place in all-time scoring as the Jazz finished second in the Midwest Division with a 55–27 record, with Stockton and Malone both being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.
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In the first round of the playoffs, the Jazz defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in a full five game series, which included a 38-point margin in a 102–64 win in Game 5. In the semifinals, they continued to play strong basketball as they beat the Midwest Division champion San Antonio Spurs in six games. However, in the Western Conference Finals for the third time in five years, they lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. Following the season, David Benoit signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets.
West First Round
(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers Last Playoff Meeting: 1992 Western Conference Finals (Portland won 4-2)
*Required overtime
West Conference Semifinals
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Utah Jazz Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference First Round (Utah won 3-1)
West Conference Finals
(1) Seattle SuperSonics vs. (3) Utah Jazz Last Playoff Meeting: 1993 Western Conference First Round (Seattle won 3-2)
*Required overtime