1998–99 Houston Rockets season


The 1998–99 NBA season was the Rockets' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association, and 28th season in Houston. To replace the retiring Clyde Drexler, the Rockets acquired All-Star forward Scottie Pippen from the Chicago Bulls after a four-month lockout. The team also signed free agent Antoine Carr, who appeared in two NBA Finals appearances with the Utah Jazz. With the addition of Pippen along with Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, plus re-acquiring three-point specialist Sam Mack from the Vancouver Grizzlies at midseason, the Rockets played solid basketball posting a nine-game winning streak in March, and finished third in the Midwest Division with a 31–19 record. Pippen had a solid season averaging 14.5 points per game, while rookies Michael Dickerson and Cuttino Mobley were both selected to the All-Rookie Second Team.
However, in the first round of the playoffs, the Rockets lost one game to three to the Los Angeles Lakers. After the defeat, Houston didn't return to the playoffs until 2004. Pippen spent only one season with the Rockets, and was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers before the following season. Also following the season, Dickerson and Carr were traded along with Othella Harrington, and Brent Price to the Vancouver Grizzlies, Mack and Matt Maloney were both released, and Eddie Johnson retired.

Offseason

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
114Michael DickersonSGUnited StatesArizona
116Bryce DrewPGUnited StatesValparaiso
118Mirsad TürkcanPFEfes Pilsen
241Cuttino MobleySGUnited StatesRhode Island

Roster

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

West First Round

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets: Lakers win series 3-1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1996 Western Conference First Round

Player statistics

Season

Playoffs

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

PlayerSignedFormer team

Subtractions