The 1977-78 Houston Rockets had a season marked by transitions and challenges. The team finished the regular season with a 28-54 record, placing them fourth in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. This performance was a step back from their previous campaign, as they struggled to find consistency throughout the season.
Under the leadership of head coach Tom Nissalke, who was in his second year with the team, the Rockets faced difficulties in maintaining a competitive edge. The season was marred by injuries and inconsistent play which contributed to their subpar performance. Despite these challenges, the Rockets showcased individual talents that shone through during the season.
Calvin Murphy, the veteran guard, was a standout player for Houston, providing offensive firepower and leadership. Rudy Tomjanovich also made significant contributions, continuing to be a reliable scoring option for the team. However, the lack of depth and defensive struggles were evident, as the Rockets found it difficult to compete against stronger teams in the league.
The 1977-78 season was a rebuilding phase for the Rockets, as they aimed to regroup and strengthen their roster for future success. The outcome of this season prompted the organization to make strategic changes in the ensuing offseason, with hopes of returning to playoff contention. Despite the setbacks, the foundation laid during this period would eventually contribute to the franchise’s growth in subsequent years.
- Regular Season Record: 28-54
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Houston Rockets Roster and Stats for 1977-78 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Calvin Murphy | 76 | 25.6 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Rudy Tomjanovich | 23 | 21.5 | 6.0 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Moses Malone | 59 | 19.4 | 15.0 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mike Newlin | 45 | 13.0 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| John Lucas | 82 | 12.4 | 3.1 | 9.4 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Dwight Jones | 82 | 10.6 | 7.8 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Kevin Kunnert | 80 | 10.4 | 8.6 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Robert Reid | 80 | 7.3 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Alonzo Bradley | 43 | 7.0 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ron Behagen | 3 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ed Ratleff | 68 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mike Dunleavy | 11 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| John Johnson | 1 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| C.J. Kupec | 49 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Zaid Abdul-Aziz | 14 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Rudy White | 21 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Robin Jones | 12 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Larry Moffett | 20 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Phil Bond | 7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Houston Rockets 1977-78 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1977-78 season for the Houston Rockets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 1977 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 107-103 | |
| Oct 21, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 95-94 | |
| Oct 22, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 110-98 | |
| Oct 27, 1977 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 133-110 | |
| Oct 29, 1977 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 125-112 | |
| Nov 03, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 113-111 | |
| Nov 04, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 110-108 | |
| Nov 05, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 116-105 | |
| Nov 08, 1977 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 117-104 | |
| Nov 09, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 127-107 | |
| Nov 10, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 132-101 | |
| Nov 12, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 104-102 | |
| Nov 16, 1977 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 101-97 | |
| Nov 19, 1977 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 103-101 | |
| Nov 22, 1977 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 105-99 | |
| Nov 23, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | L 109-100 | |
| Nov 26, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 93-91 | |
| Nov 28, 1977 | @ New York Knicks | L 104-86 | |
| Nov 29, 1977 | vs. New York Knicks | W 120-103 | |
| Dec 01, 1977 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 105-92 | |
| Dec 03, 1977 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 120-116 | |
| Dec 06, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 107-105 | |
| Dec 09, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-105 | |
| Dec 10, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 110-93 | |
| Dec 11, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-84 | |
| Dec 14, 1977 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 113-91 | |
| Dec 17, 1977 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 101-97 | |
| Dec 20, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 110-104 | |
| Dec 21, 1977 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 103-93 | |
| Dec 23, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 107-101 | |
| Dec 26, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 113-99 | |
| Dec 29, 1977 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 104-99 | |
| Dec 30, 1977 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 99-98 | |
| Jan 04, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 104-96 | |
| Jan 06, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 103-101 | |
| Jan 07, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 106-83 | |
| Jan 10, 1978 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 95-80 | |
| Jan 11, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | L 91-88 | |
| Jan 12, 1978 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 109-106 | |
| Jan 14, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 104-93 | |
| Jan 17, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 99-95 | |
| Jan 18, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-104 | |
| Jan 20, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 118-108 | |
| Jan 22, 1978 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-101 | |
| Jan 25, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 118-96 | |
| Jan 27, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 105-100 | |
| Jan 29, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 123-88 | |
| Feb 01, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 124-103 | |
| Feb 03, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | W 112-102 | |
| Feb 08, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 105-101 | |
| Feb 09, 1978 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 104-94 | |
| Feb 10, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 125-114 | |
| Feb 12, 1978 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 119-112 | |
| Feb 14, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 125-102 | |
| Feb 15, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 126-122 | |
| Feb 17, 1978 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 115-98 | |
| Feb 18, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 121-112 | |
| Feb 21, 1978 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 111-96 | |
| Feb 22, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 119-108 | |
| Feb 24, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 126-112 | |
| Feb 25, 1978 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 110-106 | |
| Feb 27, 1978 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 110-97 | |
| Mar 01, 1978 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 114-104 | |
| Mar 03, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 133-110 | |
| Mar 05, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 106-88 | |
| Mar 07, 1978 | @ New York Knicks | L 112-101 | |
| Mar 08, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 97-94 | |
| Mar 10, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 117-114 | |
| Mar 11, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 93-91 | |
| Mar 14, 1978 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 119-98 | |
| Mar 16, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 106-98 | |
| Mar 18, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 106-104 | |
| Mar 21, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 101-99 | |
| Mar 22, 1978 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 124-106 | |
| Mar 24, 1978 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 107-103 | |
| Mar 29, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 112-89 | |
| Apr 01, 1978 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 116-112 | |
| Apr 02, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 109-100 | |
| Apr 04, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 101-89 | |
| Apr 05, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-100 | |
| Apr 07, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 117-114 | |
| Apr 08, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 112-111 |