The 1976–77 NBA season was the Rockets' 10th season in the NBA and 6th season in the city of Houston.[1]
In the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Washington Bullets in six games in the Semifinals before losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the conference finals.
See main article: article and 1976 NBA draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | (from Atlanta) | G | Maryland | ||
| 2 | 27 | F | Tulane |
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
| 1976–77 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| width=100 | Team | ATL | BOS | BUF | CHI | CLE | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | KCK | LAL | MIL | NOJ | NYK | NYN | PHI | PHO | POR | SAS | SEA | WAS |
| — | 0–4 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 1–3 | ||
| 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | ||
| 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 | ||
| 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | ||
| 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | ||
| 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | ||
| 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | ||
| 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | ||
| Houston | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | |
| 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | ||
| 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | ||
| 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 3–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | ||
| 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | 1–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | ||
| 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 2–1 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | ||
| 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–2 | ||
| 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | ||
| 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | ||
| 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | ||
| 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | ||
| 0–4 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | ||
| 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 3–1 | ||
| Washington | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | — | |
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Record | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 1976 | @Atlanta Hawks | W | 120–104 | 1–0 | |
| Oct 23, 1976 | vs.Phoenix Suns | W | 129–126 | 2–0 | |
| Oct 27, 1976 | vs.Philadelphia 76ers | L | 94–116 | 2–1 | |
| Oct 30, 1976 | Washington Bullets | W | 105–92 | 3–1 | |
| Nov 3, 1976 | Boston Celtics | W | 117–111 OT | 4–1 | |
| Nov 5, 1976 | @New York Nets | L | 91–95 | 4–2 | |
| Nov 6, 1976 | @Buffalo Braves | L | 102–117 | 4–3 | |
| Nov 9, 1976 | @Chicago Bulls | W | 111–92 | 5–3 | |
| Nov 10, 1976 | Seattle SuperSonics | W | 99–97 | 6–3 | |
| Nov 12, 1976 | @Milwaukee Bucks | L | 99–111 | 6–4 | |
| Nov 13, 1976 | New York Nets | L | 110–114 | 6–5 | |
| Nov 17, 1976 | Buffalo Braves | W | 120–114 OT | 7–5 | |
| Nov 20, 1976 | Kansas City Kings | W | 127–126 OT | 8–5 | |
| Nov 24, 1976 | Golden State Warriors | W | 113–107 OT | 9–5 | |
| Nov 25, 1976 | @New Orleans Jazz | W | 105–99 | 10–5 | |
| Nov 27, 1976 | San Antonio Spurs | W | 125–116 | 11–5 | |
| Dec 1, 1976 | Detroit Pistons | W | 110–104 | 12–5 | |
| Dec 2, 1976 | Milwaukee Bucks | W | 137–110 | 13–5 | |
| Dec 4, 1976 | Indiana Pacers | W | 120–108 | 14–5 | |
| Dec 8, 1976 | @Phoenix Suns | L | 95–116 | 14–6 | |
| Dec 10, 1976 | @Los Angeles Lakers | L | 99–109 | 14–7 | |
| Dec 11, 1976 | @Golden State Warriors | L | 112–124 | 14–8 | |
| Dec 12, 1976 | @Seattle SuperSonics | W | 96–92 | 15–8 | |
| Dec 14, 1976 | @Portland Trail Blazers | L | 84–104 | 15–9 | |
| Dec 16, 1976 | Atlanta Hawks | W | 118–107 | 16–9 | |
| Dec 18, 1976 | New Orleans Jazz | L | 106–110 | 16–10 | |
| Dec 22, 1976 | Washington Bullets | W | 111–90 | 17–10 | |
| Dec 26, 1976 | @Indiana Pacers | W | 93–79 | 18–10 | |
| Dec 28, 1976 | @New York Knicks | L | 99–111 | 18–11 | |
| Dec 29, 1976 | Philadelphia 76ers | W | 93–91 | 19–11 | |
| Jan 1, 1977 | @Washington Bullets | L | 89–104 | 19–12 | |
| Jan 2, 1977 | @Cleveland Cavaliers | L | 80–104 | 19–13 | |
| Jan 5, 1977 | New York Knicks | W | 108–107 | 20–13 | |
| Jan 7, 1977 | Denver Nuggets | L | 107–117 | 20–14 | |
| Jan 8, 1977 | @Kansas City Kings | L | 94–106 | 20–15 | |
| Jan 11, 1977 | @Boston Celtics | L | 101–105 | 20–16 | |
| Jan 12, 1977 | @Philadelphia 76ers | L | 97–102 | 20–17 | |
| Jan 14, 1977 | @Milwaukee Bucks | W | 111–84 | 21–17 | |
| Jan 15, 1977 | Los Angeles Lakers | W | 122–116 | 22–17 | |
| Jan 18, 1977 | Chicago Bulls | W | 103–85 | 23–17 | |
| Jan 19, 1977 | Boston Celtics | L | 102–112 | 23–18 | |
| Jan 21, 1977 | @Detroit Pistons | L | 86–109 | 23–19 | |
| Jan 22, 1977 | Portland Trail Blazers | W | 110–107 | 24–19 | |
| Jan 27, 1977 | Detroit Pistons | W | 114–107 | 25–19 | |
| Jan 28, 1977 | Atlanta Hawks | W | 118–104 | 26–19 | |
| Jan 29, 1977 | @Atlanta Hawks | L | 97–101 | 26–20 | |
| Feb 3, 1977 | @New York Knicks | L | 90–108 | 26–21 | |
| Feb 5, 1977 | New York Knicks | W | 105–103 | 27–21 | |
| Feb 6, 1977 | @New Orleans Jazz | L | 90–99 | 27–22 | |
| Feb 8, 1977 | Cleveland Cavaliers | W | 97–81 | 28–22 | |
| Feb 9, 1977 | Chicago Bulls | W | 108–103 | 29–22 | |
| Feb 11, 1977 | San Antonio Spurs | L | 104–107 | 29–23 | |
| Feb 16, 1977 | Seattle SuperSonics | W | 124–95 | 30–23 | |
| Feb 17, 1977 | @San Antonio Spurs | W | 113–99 | 31–23 | |
| Feb 19, 1977 | @Kansas City Kings | L | 109–115 | 31–24 | |
| Feb 22, 1977 | @Denver Nuggets | L | 106–118 | 31–25 | |
| Feb 24, 1977 | @Phoenix Suns | W | 109–106 | 32–25 | |
| Feb 25, 1977 | @Portland Trail Blazers | W | 123–106 | 33–25 | |
| Feb 27, 1977 | @Los Angeles Lakers | L | 101–106 | 33–26 | |
| Mar 2, 1977 | Los Angeles Lakers | W | 120–113 | 34–26 | |
| Mar 5, 1977 | Milwaukee Bucks | W | 119–106 | 35–26 | |
| Mar 6, 1977 | @New York Nets | W | 99–91 | 36–26 | |
| Mar 7, 1977 | @Buffalo Braves | W | 128–107 | 37–26 | |
| Mar 9, 1977 | Phoenix Suns | W | 105–100 | 38–26 | |
| Mar 11, 1977 | @Indiana Pacers | W | 124–109 | 39–26 | |
| Mar 12, 1977 | New Orleans Jazz | W | 120–104 | 40–26 | |
| Mar 16, 1977 | New York Nets | W | 100–86 | 41–26 | |
| Mar 17, 1977 | @Cleveland Cavaliers | W | 88–87 | 42–26 | |
| Mar 18, 1977 | @Philadelphia 76ers | L | 104–124 | 42–27 | |
| Mar 19, 1977 | Buffalo Braves | W | 110–104 | 43–27 | |
| Mar 22, 1977 | Indiana Pacers | W | 106–99 | 44–27 | |
| Mar 23, 1977 | Portland Trail Blazers | W | 109–104 | 45–27 | |
| Mar 24, 1977 | @San Antonio Spurs | L | 112–118 | 45–28 | |
| Mar 26, 1977 | Kansas City Kings | W | 107–97 | 46–28 | |
| Mar 27, 1977 | @Detroit Pistons | L | 100–115 | 46–29 | |
| Mar 29, 1977 | @Golden State Warriors | L | 92–109 | 46–30 | |
| Mar 30, 1977 | @Seattle SuperSonics | L | 105–111 | 46–31 | |
| Apr 1, 1977 | @Washington Bullets | W | 91–85 | 47–31 | |
| Apr 2, 1977 | Cleveland Cavaliers | W | 106–93 | 48–31 | |
| Apr 6, 1977 | @Boston Celtics | W | 104–93 | 49–31 | |
| Apr 8, 1977 | @Chicago Bulls | L | 109–113 | 49–32 | |
| Apr 9, 1977 | Denver Nuggets | L | 110–118 | 49–33 |
|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| April 19| Washington| L 101–111| Mike Newlin (24)| Moses Malone (10)| John Lucas (7)| The Summit
15,458| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 2| April 21| Washington| W 124–118 (OT)| Moses Malone (31)| Moses Malone (26)| Mike Newlin (9)| The Summit
15,676| 1–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 3| April 24| @ Washington| L 90–93| Malone, Lucas (18)| Moses Malone (15)| John Lucas (8)| Capital Centre
16,842| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 4| April 26| @ Washington| W 107–103| Rudy Tomjanovich (28)| Moses Malone (13)| Mike Newlin (7)| Capital Centre
19,035| 2–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| April 29| Washington| W 123–115| Calvin Murphy (40)| Moses Malone (22)| Mike Newlin (6)| The Summit
15,676| 3–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 6| May 1| @ Washington| W 108–103| Rudy Tomjanovich (26)| Moses Malone (14)| Calvin Murphy (9)| Capital Centre
12,393| 4–2|-|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 1| May 5| @ Philadelphia| L 117–128| Moses Malone (32)| Moses Malone (12)| Calvin Murphy (13)| Spectrum
17,507| 0–1|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 2| May 8| @ Philadelphia| L 97–106| Calvin Murphy (32)| Moses Malone (18)| Mike Newlin (11)| Spectrum
14,855| 0–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 3| May 11| Philadelphia| W 118–94| Moses Malone (30)| Moses Malone (25)| John Lucas (9)| The Summit
15,676| 1–2|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 4| May 13| Philadelphia| L 95–107| Rudy Tomjanovich (24)| Kevin Kunnert (17)| John Lucas (14)| The Summit
15,676| 1–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"| 5| May 15| @ Philadelphia| W 118–115| Tomjanovich, Lucas (21)| Moses Malone (19)| Calvin Murphy (10)| Spectrum
18,276| 2–3|- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"| 6| May 17| Philadelphia| L 109–112| John Lucas (24)| Moses Malone (16)| Tomjanovich, Murphy (5)| The Summit
15,676| 2–4|-