LA Lakers: Top 10 NBA Rivals All-Time
By Keith Rivas
Houston Rockets
Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Houston Rockets logo during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Before the current dynamic duo in Houston of James Harden and Dwight Howard, the Rockets were the only team to really push the Lakers in the Western Conference during the 1980’s.
It was a stretch of time, as outlined in the slide talking about the Bulls-Lakers rivalry, that the Lakers dominated, but the Rockets found a way to go toe-to-toe with a historically good Lakers team.
Both times that they met in the playoffs during the ’80’s went in favor of the Rockets, but only the Lakers ever earned titles between the two of them.
Houston’s identity seems to be resurfacing, but it’ll be a while before Los Angeles can return their end of the bargain.
The Lakers lead the head-to-head series 134-73.
Next: No. 5