High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1986 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association`s 1985-86 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets, four games to two, in the NBA Finals. The Celtics won their 16th NBA championship, their last until 2008. Larry Bird was awarded his second NBA Finals MVP trophy. The Rockets made the NBA Finals when Ralph Sampson made an off balance jumper at the buzzer against the Lakers at The Forum in Game 5 of the Western Finals.