According to later statistics, the seventh game between the Trail Blazers and the Rockets achieved an astonishing 83% viewership rate in the Oregon region, second only to the 95% for the sixth game of the 1977 Finals.
The 95% in 1977 was certainly terrifying, but back then, there weren't as many households with televisions.
A decade had passed since 1977, and the prevalence of televisions had greatly increased, so the value of an 83% viewership rate was not lower than the 95%.
And this was just the Western Conference Finals, not the Finals. The Trail Blazers commanded such dominance in the Oregon region.
Under such high scrutiny, the Trail Blazers started the game somewhat reserved, with the Rockets' defense being very tight, and the physicality exceptionally strong.
Drexler and Vandeweghe's two attempts at the basket were both blocked by Olajuwon, prompting the Rockets to counterattack, scoring consecutively and leading 4:0 from the beginning.
