MOSES MALONE ONCE REVEALED THE MAIN FACTORS FOR WINNING GAMES IN THE PLAYOFFS: "THE KEY TO WINNING IS A SOLID DEFENSE"
The late Moses Malone had a stellar 6 seasons with the Houston Rockets from 1976 to 1982. Two of his three Most Valuable Player awards were won while he was with the franchise from Houston. Big Mo was known for his hulking presence on both ends of the floor. He played a pivotal role in several playoffs for Houston, including the team's run in the 1981 playoffs.
Defense leads to wins
After eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, the Rockets had to hurdle the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. Houston took the first game with Malone leading the way.
He finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Rockets to a 107-98 Game 1 win over the Spurs. In the post-game interview, the three-time MVP singled out how their defense was pivotal in getting that victory.
"'The key to winning is a solid defense and we must control the tempo of the game," the 12-time All-Star said at the time via the New York Times.
However, the Rockets could have not pulled off that first game win had it not been for the efforts of Calvin Murphy and Robert Reid. Murphy did his part in the second quarter when he unloaded 15 points. Conversely, Reid delivered the critical shot near the end of the game to secure the win for Houston. Murphy, coming off the bench, chipped in 21 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds for the Rockets. Reid finished 14 points and 6 assists.
A first for Malone, Rockets
The Rockets went on to win that series against the Spurs, 4-3. Houston disposed of the Kansas City Kings in five games in the Conference Finals, advancing to the NBA finals to face the Boston Celtics.
It was the Rockets and Malone's first NBA finals appearance. Although he averaged 22.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, the efforts of Octobull were not enough to lift Houston. Boston won the series in six games, 4-2.
In the 1981-82 season, Malone and the Rockets failed to replicate that feat. They lost to the Seattle Supersonics in the first round of the playoffs, 2-1. It would be the last season of the 1983 NBA Finals MVP with Houston. After becoming a restricted free agent in the summer, Malone would sign a $13.2 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Although Houston matched the offer, they ended up trading the 6-foot-10 center for Caldwell Jones and their 1983 first-round pick, per the Observer-Reporter.
In the 6 seasons he spent in Houston, Malone averaged 24.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 464 games per Basketball-Reference. Malone appeared in 5 playoffs with the Rockets, averaging 24.2 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1.4 assists in 45 games.
2024-05-04T15:34:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd