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1979–80 Houston Rockets season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1979–80 Houston Rockets season
Head coachDel Harris
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record41–41 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 4th (Eastern)
Playoff finishEast Conference semifinals
(lost to Celtics 0–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKHTV
RadioKPRC
< 1978–79 1980–81 >

The 1979–80 NBA season was the Rockets' 13th season in the NBA and 9th season in the city of Houston.[1]

In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the San Antonio Spurs in three games in the First Round, before being swept by the Boston Celtics in four games in the Semifinals.

Offseason

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Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club team
1 17 Lee Johnson  United States East Texas State
2 42 Paul Mokeski  United States Kansas
3 59 Ricardo Brown  United States Pepperdine
4 76 Sam Drummer  United States Georgia Tech
4 80 Lionel Green  United States LSU
5 104 Allen Leavell  United States Oklahoma City
6 124 Collie Davis  United States Southern
7 143 Rich Valavicius  United States Auburn
8 161 Delbert Watson  United States East Tennessee State

Roster

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1979–80 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 4 Barry, Rick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Miami (FL)
F 22 Bradley, Alonzo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Texas Southern
G 10 Dunleavy, Mike 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) South Carolina
G 6 Henderson, Tom 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Hawaiʻi
F 11 Jones, Major 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Albany State
G 30 Leavell, Allen 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Oklahoma City
C 24 Malone, Moses 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Petersburg High School
C 54 Mokeski, Paul 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Kansas
G 23 Murphy, Calvin 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) Niagara
C 5 Paultz, Billy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) St. John's
F 50 Reid, Robert 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Saint Mary's
F 45 Tomjanovich, Rudy 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 218 lb (99 kg) Michigan
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 32–9 18–23 21–9
x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 9 29–12 12–29 20–10
x-San Antonio Spurs 41 41 .500 9 27–14 14–27 14–16
Cleveland Cavaliers 37 45 .451 13 28–13 9–32 16–14
Indiana Pacers 37 45 .451 13 26–15 11–30 15–15
Detroit Pistons 16 66 .195 34 13–28 3–38 4–26
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Boston Celtics 61 21 .744
2 y-Atlanta Hawks 50 32 .610 11
3 x-Philadelphia 76ers 59 23 .720 2
4 x-Houston Rockets 41 41 .500 20
5 x-San Antonio Spurs 41 41 .500 20
6 x-Washington Bullets 39 43 .476 22
7 New York Knicks 39 43 .476 22
8 Cleveland Cavaliers 37 45 .451 24
8 Indiana Pacers 37 45 .451 24
10 New Jersey Nets 34 48 .415 27
11 Detroit Pistons 16 66 .195 44
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1979-80 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–4 1–1 4–2 1–1 6–0 2–0 2–4 4–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–2 4–2 4–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–3
Boston 4–2 2–0 4–2 2–0 6–0 2–0 6–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 5–1 5–1 3–3 1–1 2–0 4–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–2
Chicago 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–4 1–1 4–2 1–1 0–2 3–3 1–5 1–5 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–5 3–3 0–2 4–2 2–4 2–4 0–2
Cleveland 2–4 2–4 0–2 1–1 6–0 2–0 2–4 2–4 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–3 3–3 1–5 1–1 0–2 4–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3
Denver 1–1 0–2 4–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 1–1 0–6 1–5 3–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–5 2–4 1–1 3–3 1–5 3–3 1–1
Detroit 0–6 0–6 1–1 0–6 1–1 1–1 1–5 1–5 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–4 2–4 1–5 0–2 0–2 2–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–4
Golden State 0–2 0–2 2–4 0–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3 1–5 0–6 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–4 2–4 0–2 3–3 0–6 3–3 0–2
Houston 4–2 0–6 1–1 4–2 1–1 5–1 1–1 4–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–3 3–3 2–4 1–1 1–1 3–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–4
Indiana 2–4 2–4 2–0 4–2 1–1 5–1 1–1 2–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–4 4–2 1–5 0–2 2–0 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2
Kansas City 2–0 1–1 3–3 0–2 6–0 2–0 3–3 2–0 1–1 2–4 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–5 1–5 1–1 5–1 3–3 6–0 2–0
Los Angeles 1–1 2–0 5–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 5–1 2–0 2–0 4–2 3–3 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–3 2–4 2–0 5–1 4–2 6–0 1–1
Milwaukee 1–1 0–2 5–1 2–0 3–3 1–1 6–0 1–1 2–0 3–3 3–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–2 5–1 0–2 4–2 2–4 4–2 1–1
New Jersey 2–4 1–5 1–1 3–3 1–1 4–2 0–2 3–3 4–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–5 1–1 0–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–3
New York 2–4 1–5 2–0 3–3 1–1 4–2 2–0 3–3 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–2 0–6 2–0 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–3
Philadelphia 2–4 3–3 1–1 5–1 2–0 5–1 2–0 4–2 5–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–1 6–0 1–1 2–0 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 5–1 1–1 5–1 2–0 4–2 1–1 2–0 5–1 3–3 2–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 6–0 1–1 2–4 4–2 6–0 2–0
Portland 0–2 0–2 3–3 2–0 4–2 2–0 4–2 1–1 0–2 5–1 4–2 1–5 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–6 1–1 4–2 1–5 3–3 1–1
San Antonio 1–5 2–4 2–0 2–4 1–1 4–2 2–0 3–3 4–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–3 2–4 2–4 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–2
San Diego 1–1 0–2 2–4 1–1 3–3 2–0 3–3 0–2 1–1 1–5 1–5 2–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–2 2–4 0–2 3–3 5–1 1–1
Seattle 2–0 2–0 4–2 2–0 5–1 2–0 6–0 1–1 2–0 3–3 2–4 4–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–4 5–1 1–1 3–3 5–1 1–1
Utah 0–2 0–2 4–2 1–1 3–3 1–1 3–3 0–2 1–1 0–6 0–6 2–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–6 3–3 1–1 1–5 1–5 0–2
Washington 3–3 2–4 2–0 3–3 1–1 4–2 2–0 4–2 2–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–3 3–3 1–5 0–2 1–1 2–4 1–1 1–1 2–0

Game log

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Regular season

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1979–80 game log
Total: 41–41 (home: 29–12; road: 12–29)
October: 2–7 (home: 2–1; road: 0–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 12, 1979 @ Boston L 106–114 Boston Garden 0–1
2 October 13, 1979
7:05 p.m. CDT
@ Philadelphia L 105–113 Malone (20) Jones (10) Dunleavy (8) The Spectrum
13,503
0–2
3 October 16, 1979 @ New York L 121–126 Madison Square Garden 0–3
4 October 17, 1979 Indiana W 116–112 The Summit 1–3
5 October 20, 1979 Atlanta W 107–102 The Summit 2–3
6 October 24, 1979 Boston L 99–100 The Summit 2–4
7 October 28, 1979 @ New Jersey L 115–120 Rutgers Athletic Center 2–5
8 October 30, 1979 @ Cleveland L 112–124 Richfield Coliseum 2–6
9 October 31, 1979 @ Indiana L 129–133 (OT) Market Square Arena 2–7
November: 10–4 (home: 7–1; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
10 November 3, 1979 @ Detroit W 114–111 Pontiac Silverdome 3–7
11 November 7, 1979 New Jersey W 106–101 The Summit 4–7
12 November 10, 1979 Detroit W 112–104 The Summit 5–7
13 November 13, 1979 @ Chicago W 128–127 Chicago Stadium 6–7
14 November 14, 1979 Golden State W 133–92 The Summit 7–7
15 November 16, 1979 New York W 133–130 The Summit 8–7
16 November 17, 1979 @ Atlanta W 102–100 The Omni 9–7
17 November 20, 1979 @ New York L 125–130 (OT) Madison Square Garden 9–8
18 November 21, 1979
8:05 p.m. CST
Philadelphia W 97–94 Murphy (26) Malone (17) Henderson,
Leavell (4)
The Summit
15,203
10–8
19 November 23, 1979
7:05 p.m. CST
@ Philadelphia L 102–113 Malone (17) Malone (11) Reid (6) The Spectrum
12,608
10–9
20 November 24, 1979 Washington L 103–105 The Summit 10–10
21 November 27, 1979 @ Kansas City L 115–117 Municipal Auditorium 10–11
22 November 28, 1979 Cleveland W 113–111 (OT) The Summit 11–11
23 November 30, 1979 Atlanta W 106–95 The Summit 12–11
December: 5–9 (home: 4–2; road: 1–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
24 December 1, 1979 Portland W 120–112 (OT) The Summit 13–11
25 December 5, 1979
8:05 p.m. CST
Los Angeles L 114–116 Malone (32) Malone (15) Barry (8) The Summit
15,676
13–12
26 December 7, 1979 Detroit W 124–109 The Summit 14–12
27 December 8, 1979 @ San Antonio L 129–138 HemisFair Arena 14–13
28 December 12, 1979 @ San Diego W 118–107 San Diego Sports Arena 15–13
29 December 13, 1979 @ Phoenix L 113–121 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 15–14
30 December 14, 1979 @ Seattle L 101–109 Kingdome 15–15
31 December 16, 1979 @ Portland L 101–123 Memorial Coliseum 15–16
32 December 19, 1979 Chicago L 102–108 The Summit 15–17
33 December 21, 1979<r>7:05 p.m. CST @ Philadelphia L 106–117 Murphy (37) Malone (12) Henderson (8) The Spectrum
6,649
15–18
34 December 22, 1979 @ Washington L 114–122 Capital Centre 15–19
35 December 26, 1979 San Antonio W 143–110 The Summit 16–19
36 December 27, 1979 @ Atlanta L 110–112 The Omni 16–20
37 December 29, 1979
8:05 p.m. CST
Philadelphia W 104–100 Murphy (33) Malone (17) Henderson (9) The Summit
14,635
17–20
January: 8–8 (home: 6–4; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
38 January 2, 1980 Boston L 103–111 The Summit 17–21
39 January 4, 1980 @ New Jersey L 101–104 Rutgers Athletic Center 17–22
40 January 5, 1980 Phoenix W 111–110 The Summit 18–22
41 January 8, 1980 @ Cleveland W 118–115 (OT) Richfield Coliseum 19–22
42 January 9, 1980 Denver W 114–112 The Summit 20–22
43 January 12, 1980 Cleveland W 112–96 The Summit 21–22
44 January 13, 1980 @ Milwaukee W 121–117 MECCA Arena 22–22
45 January 16, 1980 New Jersey L 112–122 The Summit 22–23
46 January 18, 1980 Washington W 134–111 The Summit 22–24
47 January 19, 1980 @ Detroit L 110–122 Pontiac Silverdome 22–25
48 January 22, 1980 @ Boston L 106–112 Boston Garden 23–25
49 January 23, 1980 San Diego W 111–110 (2OT) The Summit 24–25
50 January 26, 1980 Seattle W 123–111 The Summit 25–25
51 January 29, 1980 @ Indiana L 112–133 Market Square Arena 25–26
52 January 30, 1980 San Antonio L 111–118 The Summit 25–27
53 January 31, 1980
8:05 p.m. CST
Philadelphia L 105–110 Malone (36) Malone (19) Henderson (6) The Summit
12,539
25–28
February: 8–5 (home: 6–1; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
All-Star Break
54 February 6, 1980 New Jersey W 115–114 The Summit 26–28
55 February 8, 1980 Cleveland W 105–104 The Summit 27–28
56 February 9, 1980 Utah W 117–95 The Summit 28–28
57 February 12, 1980 @ San Antonio W 120–118 HemisFair Arena 29–28
58 February 13, 1980 New York W 122–117 The Summit 30–28
59 February 15, 1980 Milwaukee L 103–114 The Summit 30–29
60 February 17, 1980 @ Denver L 99–112 McNichols Sports Arena 30–30
61 February 20, 1980 @ Golden State L 102–115 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 30–31
62 February 22, 1980 @ Utah W 94–82 Salt Palace 31–31
63 February 24, 1980
4:00 p.m. CST
@ Los Angeles L 100–112 Malone (29) Malone (17) Paultz (6) The Forum
15,889
31–32
64 February 26, 1980 Indiana W 93–88 The Summit 32–32
65 February 27, 1980 Washington W 110–97 The Summit 33–32
66 February 28, 1980 @ Washington L 99–105 Capital Centre 33–33
March: 8–8 (home: 4–3; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
67 March 2, 1980 Kansas City L 91–94 The Summit 34–33
68 March 4, 1980 @ Atlanta W 93–83 The Omni 34–34
69 March 5, 1980 Boston L 99–103 (OT) The Summit 34–35
70 March 7, 1980 @ New Jersey W 111–110 (2OT) Rutgers Athletic Center 35–35
71 March 8, 1980 Atlanta L 79–97 The Summit 35–36
72 March 11, 1980 @ New York L 109–129 Madison Square Garden 35–37
73 March 12, 1980 @ Boston L 105–121 Boston Garden 35–38
74 March 14, 1980 @ Washington L 85–92 Capital Centre 35–39
75 March 16, 1980 @ Detroit W 102–99 Pontiac Silverdome 36–39
76 March 19, 1980 New York W 139–113 The Summit 37–39
77 March 20, 1980 @ Cleveland L 96–109 Richfield Coliseum 37–40
78 March 22, 1980 Indiana W 125–110 The Summit 39–39
79 March 25, 1980 @ San Antonio L 107–126 HemisFair Arena 38–41
80 March 26, 1980 San Antonio W 113–101 The Summit 39–41
81 March 28, 1980 Detroit W 128–112 The Summit 40–41
82 March 30, 1980 @ Indiana W 121–106 Market Square Arena 41–41
1979–80 schedule

Playoffs

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1980 playoff game log
First Round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 2, 1980 San Antonio W 95–85 Calvin Murphy (28) Moses Malone (14) Tom Henderson (8) The Summit
14,454
1–0
2 April 4, 1980 @ San Antonio L 101–106 Moses Malone (34) Moses Malone (19) Tom Henderson (10) HemisFair Arena
12,894
1–1
3 April 6, 1980 San Antonio W 141–120 Moses Malone (37) Moses Malone (20) Tom Henderson (10) The Summit
15,676
2–1
Conference semifinals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 9, 1980 @ Boston L 101–119 Moses Malone (27) Moses Malone (13) three players tied (4) Boston Garden
15,320
0–1
2 April 11, 1980 @ Boston L 75–95 Robert Reid (22) Robert Reid (14) Robert Reid (4) Boston Garden
15,320
0–2
3 April 13, 1980 Boston L 81–100 Moses Malone (28) Moses Malone (9) Henderson, Leavell (5) The Summit
14,243
0–3
4 April 14, 1980 Boston L 121–138 Moses Malone (28) Moses Malone (15) Reid, Leavell (8) The Summit
13,106
0–4
1980 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Playoffs

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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See also

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