chicago Bulls win third NBA championship 1993 Finals Game 6 Bulls 99 Suns 98 Michael Jordan scores 33 Finals MVP
Staying Warm in the Windy City
chicago Bulls win third NBA championship 1993 Finals Game 6 Bulls 99 Suns 98 Michael Jordan scores 33 Finals MVP
The first Threepeat!
The first Threepeat!
The first Threepeat!
The first Threepeat!
Guarding Michael Jordan during a playoff game intimidates some players. It inspired John Starks. Crushing Chicago’s spirit with his 3-point shooting and giving Jordan fits with his defense, Starks led New York to a 98-90 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference championship series yesterday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. It was a significant victory for the Knicks, who were determined not to lose the home-court advantage they had worked all season to attain. They won their 26th consecutive home game using the same formula that has worked all season — suffocating defense, dominating rebounding and timely shooting. Jordan (27 points) shot a dismal 10 for 27 from the field, including 2 for 9 during the final period, the time when Jordan usually dominates. It was also a significant defeat for chicago, which had won seven straight playoff games this season. Starks (25 points) was magnificent, setting a Knick playoff record by making five 3-point shots. Three of them came during a five-minute fourth-quarter barrage that helped the Knicks build an 88-79 lead with four minutes to play, a lead they never lost. Everyone expected the Starks-versus-Jordan battle to be a major factor in the series. Round 1 went to Starks. “I don’t even remember when Starks was in the CBA, and I don’t remember when he first came into the league,” said Jordan, referring to the minor league Continental Basketball Association. “But I know he’s here now.” And Starks had plenty of help. Patrick …
It was a typical Knicks’ playoff victory, with drama, sensational defense, and physical play that led to ejections and heated emotions. The Chicago Bulls mounted a furious comeback, but New York made a game-winning stand in the final minute. John Starks made a spectacular driving, left-handed dunk that energized the crowd and his teammates. Charles Oakley dominated both backboards and made clutch free throws. And the Knicks remained masters of Madison Square Garden, where they have won 27 consecutive games. Taking another step toward dethroning the two-time NBA champions, the Knicks outwilled the Bulls, 96-91, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference championship series last night. The victory gave New York a two-games-to-none lead in the four-of-seven-game series. And it gave the Bulls plenty to think about before the series shifts to Chicago for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon. Once again, the Knicks’ frontline dominated, outrebounding the Bulls, 45-34. Once again, Michael Jordan (36 points, 12-for-32 shooting) faded late in the game, shooting just 5 for 16 in the second half after a 25-point first half. And once again, New York’s multi-dimensional defense controlled the Bulls’ two-dimensional offense of Jordan and Scottie Pippen (17 points). “We had a 14-point lead, they came back, but we weathered the storm,” said Knicks Coach Pat Riley. “We’re up 2-0 going to chicago, and that’s what we wanted. I think our team’s confident. We held service, now the pressure does revert to …
A proud team that had been criticized and scrutinized came crashing down on the Knicks today. And the Knicks cracked under the strain. Making a strong statement that they are far from finished, the Chicago Bulls pounded the Knicks, 103-83, this afternoon at chicago Stadium in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference championship series. The victory cut the Knicks’ edge to 2-1 in the four-of-seven-game series, with Game 4 to be played here Monday afternoon. The Bulls returned to their home court, and returned to the form that has won them back-to-back NBA titles. They embarrassed and frustrated the Knicks, who eventually lost their poise. John Starks was ejected with 9 minutes to play, receiving two technical fouls for charging after Michael Jordan. Although Starks accused Jordan of throwing an elbow and sticking a finger in his face, Starks’s reaction was another indication of his temper getting the best of him. The Bulls rattled the Knicks early with their full-court press, eventually forcing New York into 20 turnovers. This was exactly the kind of performance the Knicks wanted to avoid. They were tentative offensively. They lost their aggressiveness, outrebounding Chicago just 35-30 after dominating that department in the previous two games. Other than Patrick Ewing (21 points), no Knick stepped up offensively. And New York’s defense was porous, giving up 62 points in the first half. After a collapse like this, the Knicks had a lot to think about. The Bulls were simply too …