1985-86 Season
Record: 62-20, first place in Pacific Division
The Lakers drafted A.C. Green before the season, and the team appeared to be on its way to a second consecutive title after getting off to a 24-3 start and cruising to the Pacific Division title. But the Lakers tripped on their way to an NBA Finals rematch with Boston.
Playoffs: After eliminating San Antonio and Dallas in the first two rounds, The Lakers played the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference finals. The Rockets were led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson, but were given little chance of defeating the Lakers. The Rockets unbelievable won three of the first four games of the series, setting up a memorable Game 5, where Sampson stunned the Lakers with a turnaround jump shot at the buzzer, breaking a 112-112 tie to give Houston the series victory. The image of Michaeol Cooper just collapsing onto the court when the shot went in was forever etched in the minds of Lakers fans as the season came to an unforseen end.
Playoff Results
Western Conference first round
- at Lakers 135, San Antonio 88
- at Lakers 122, San Antonio 94
- Lakers 114, at San Antonio 94
Western Conference semifinals
- at Lakers 130, Dallas 116
- at Lakers 117, Dallas 113
- at Dallas 110, Lakers 108
- at Dallas 120, Lakers 118
- at Lakers 116, Dallas 113
- Lakers 120, at Dallas 107
Western Conferene finals
- at Lakers 119, Houston 107
- Houston 112, at Lakers 102
- at Houston 117, Lakers 109
- at Houston 105, Lakers 95
- Houston 114, at Lakers 112
