Steve Nash

The 2006 Phoenix Suns, led by league MVP Steve Nash, are the last NBA team to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win a NBA playoff series.

(Roadell Hickman, Plain Dealer file)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Houston Rockets are trying to accomplish something not done since 2006 - win an NBA playoff series after trailing 3-1.

Just eight times in NBA history have teams rallied from 3-1 deficits to win best of seven-series, the most recent being the 2006 Phoenix Suns.

Update: Houston became the ninth team to rally from 3-1 down. See this link for updated details on the 9 NBA teams to rally from 3-1 deficits to win playoff series.

The Rockets-Clippers series is the only conference semifinal this season to stand at 3 games to 1.

The Cleveland Cavaliers avoided that predicament with a Game 4 win in Chicago on Sunday to even their series with the Bulls, 2-2. In Cavs playoff history, the winner of Game 5 in tied series has gone on to win the series eight out of nine times.

Here's a summary of the NBA teams that have rebounded from 3-1 deficits with three consecutive victories to win best-of-seven series.

* 2006: The Phoenix Suns started the 2006 playoffs by falling behind, 3-1, to the Los Angeles Lakers before winning the series. They won the next round against the Los Angeles Clippers before losing in the conference finals to the Dallas Mavericks. Phoenix (54-28 during the regular season) had the homecourt advantage over the Lakers (45-37). Phoenix star: league MVP Steve Nash.

* 2003: The Detroit Pistons trailed the Orlando Magic, 3-1, but came back to win the Eastern Conference first-round matchup. The Pistons also won in the next round before losing in the conference finals. The Pistons (50-32) enjoyed the homecourt advantage over Orlando (42-40). Detroit defender: NBA defensive player of the year Ben Wallace.

* 1997: The Miami Heat came back to defeat the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but lost in the next round despite a 61-win regular season. Miami (61-21) had the homecourt advantage over New York (57-25). Miami scoring leader: Tim Hardaway.

* 1995: The underdog Houston Rockets rallied to defeat the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals, and then went on to win the NBA championship. During the regular season, Phoenix (59-23) was 12 games better than Houston (47-35). Houston starting lineup included current TNT analyst Kenny Smith.

* 1981: The Boston Celtics stormed back to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference finals en route to the NBA title. Boston and Philadelphia had tied for the best record in the East that year at 62-20, but Boston had the homecourt for Game 7. Boston star: Larry Bird.

* 1979: The Washington Bullets rallied to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in the Eastern Conference finals, before losing to the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA finals. Washington (54-28) had the homecourt advantage over San Antonio (48-34). Washington star: Elvin Hayes.

* 1970: The Los Angeles Lakers came back to defeat the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals and then advanced to the NBA finals before losing to the New York Knicks. During the regular season, the Lakers (46-36) had a better record than Phoenix (39-43). Laker stars: Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.

* 1968: The Boston Celtics rallied to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers to win the Eastern Conference finals and then went on to win the NBA championship. The Celtics did this despite having to win Game 7 in Philadelphia. The 76ers (62-20) had a better record than Boston (54-28) during the regular season. Boston stars: Bill Russell and John Havlicek.

Sources: National Basketball Association and basketball-reference.com