1981–82 Houston Rockets season

The 1981–82 NBA season was the Rockets' 15th season in the NBA and 11th season in the city of Houston. The Rockets entered the season as runner-ups in the 1981 NBA Finals, having lost to the Boston Celtics in six games.

In the playoffs, the Rockets lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in three games in the First Round.

Season standings

 * z – clinched division title
 * y – clinched division title
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * October 30, 1981
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 113–112 (2OT)
 * The Forum
 * 1–0
 * The Forum
 * 1–0
 * 1–0


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 11, 1981
 * Los Angeles
 * L 93–95
 * The Summit
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 21, 1981
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 106–135
 * The Spectrum
 * 6–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 17
 * November 29, 1981
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 104–122
 * The Forum
 * 6–11
 * 17
 * November 29, 1981
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 104–122
 * The Forum
 * 6–11
 * The Forum
 * 6–11
 * 6–11


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 28, 1982
 * Philadelphia
 * W 109–101
 * The Summit
 * 21–22
 * The Summit
 * 21–22
 * 21–22


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 21, 1982
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 102–107
 * The Forum
 * 36–32
 * The Forum
 * 36–32
 * 36–32


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * April 6, 1982
 * Los Angeles
 * L 97–108
 * The Summit
 * 43–33
 * The Summit
 * 43–33
 * 43–33

Playoffs

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 * 1
 * April 21
 * @ Seattle
 * L 87–102
 * Moses Malone (20)
 * Moses Malone (15)
 * Tom Henderson (7)
 * Kingdome 14,071
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * April 23
 * Seattle
 * W 91–70
 * Moses Malone (28)
 * Moses Malone (23)
 * Allen Leavell (6)
 * The Summit 15,676
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * April 25
 * @ Seattle
 * L 83–104
 * Moses Malone (24)
 * Moses Malone (13)
 * Mike Dunleavy (5)
 * Kingdome 14,071
 * 1–2

Awards and records

 * Moses Malone, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
 * Moses Malone, All-NBA First Team

Transactions

 * June 8, 1981: Traded a 1981 2nd round draft pick (Charles Davis) and a 1983 2nd round draft pick to the Washington Bullets for Elvin Hayes.