Houston: 2015’s Five Best Sporting Moments

May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward

(5) reacts after making a basket during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1.  Houston Rockets Game 6 Comeback Over The L.A. Clippers In The Western Conference Semis

This remarkable moment back last May will be regarded as one of the greatest in Houston sports history.

In a spectacle that was in the realm of the “never say die” championship teams of the 1990s this team did just that.

With the Clippers having the game seemingly in hand with an 89-70 lead to about to the mid-point of the 3rd quarter, the Rockets went on a 11-5 run to cut the lead to 13 points at the end of the third.

Then the door blew wide-open!

At the start of the quarter, the Rockets took to the Clippers hard, going on a memorable 22-2 run and outscoring the Clips 40-15 in the final two quarters of this game.

Just how did they do it?

DEFENSE — tenacious defense and it was a collaborative effort on every guy on the team to lay on the line as if it were their last game because essentially it was, there was no tomorrow.

Jason Terry, Trevor Ariza, Corey Brewer and last but not least Josh Smith all contributed to the run of a Rockets’ fans lifetime.

Smith had 14 points — all in the final seven minutes of the 4th quarter — to lead the Rockets past the Clips 119-107.

James Harden didn’t even appear much in the 2nd quarter as Kevin McHale was wanting to stick with what was working in regard to the formula to taking down the Clips so honorably.

Although he did appear late in the game, the damage had been done and the Rockets were on their the way to tie the series a three games a-piece.

The Rockets were in full control in Game 7 as the flabbergasted Clips were still smarting from the effects of Game 6 with the team winning 113-100.

That punched them a ticket to Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1995 against a tough Golden State Warriors team.

Although they eventually fell 4-1 against the Warriors in the WCF, that moment was a turning point in our season and it will be remembered for years to come.

Next: Now The Flip-Side: 2015's Worst Moments In Houston Sports

Notwithstanding that this season has so far been a disappointment, littered with inconsistencies, the firing of McHale, outside influences and with a 16-17 record, the Rockets are still within striking distance to get themselves among the fray of the West.

But they can’t wait too long or else they’ll be on the outside looking in.

Well, I certainly hope that you enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane as we went through the moments that made all of us Houston sports fans grin from ear-to-ear!

There’s certainly more in store and I hoping for a prosperous 2016!

Happy New Year.