Record 31–19 (.620) Head coach Rudy Tomjanovich | Period 1998 – 1999 | |
Place Division: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 5th (Western) Playoff finish West first round
(eliminated 1–3) Arena Lakewood Church Central Campus Televisions Fox Sports Southwest, KIAH Similar 1994–95 Houston Rockets s, 1998–99 Chicago Bulls sea, 1998–99 NBA season, 1997–98 Chicago Bulls sea | ||
The 1998–99 NBA season was the Rockets' 32nd season in the NBA, and 28th season in Houston. To replace the retiring Clyde Drexler, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward Scottie Pippen from the Chicago Bulls after a four-month lockout. The team also signed free agent Antoine Carr, who appeared in two NBA Finals appearances with the Utah Jazz. With the addition of Pippen along with All-Stars Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, plus re-acquiring three-point specialist Sam Mack from the Vancouver Grizzlies at midseason, the Rockets finished third in the Midwest Division with a 31–19 record as Pippen had a solid season averaging 14.5 points per game. Rookies Michael Dickerson and Cuttino Mobley were both selected to the All-Rookie Second Team. In the playoffs, the Rockets lost 3–1 in the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Pippen spent only one season with the Rockets, and was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers before the following season. Also following the season, Dickerson and Carr were traded along with Othella Harrington, and Brent Price to the Vancouver Grizzlies, Mack and Matt Maloney were both released as Maloney would sign with the Chicago Bulls during the next season, and Eddie Johnson retired.
West First Round
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets: Lakers win series 3-1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1996 Western Conference First Round (Houston won 3-1)