With a 3-1 series lead, the chicago Bulls looked primed to win their sixth championship on their home court. But Utah’s Karl Malone had other ideas. Malone hit 17 of 27 shots for a game-high 39 points and led the Jazz to a tight 83-81 win. Michael Jordan scored 28 points, but hit just 9 of 26 shots. Toni Kucoc led the Bulls with 30 points on 11 of 13 shooting. No other Bull scored in double figures. Scottie Pippen scored just 6 points on 2 of 16 shooting. The Jazz win forced a sixth game back in Utah. NOTE: My DVD cut off just before the end of the game. Sorry about the abrupt ending.
This game was played on Jan. 25, 1998. Utah beat chicago 101-94. Michael Jordan scored 32 points, two of which came on a nasty dunk on Jazz center Greg Ostertag in the fourth quarter. Enjoy.
youtube.com Michael Jordan scores 42 points in his last game at Madison Square Garden as a chicago Bull. Scottie Pippen adds 26 points and Rodman grabbed 20 rebounds.
Maybe it was the grueling seven-game series they had just finished against the Pacers. For some reason, the Bulls didn’t seem to have the energy in this game. Though they only lost by three, 88-85 in overtime, chicago didn’t have its usual fire. Michael Jordan scored 33 points on 13 of 29 shooting. Scottie Pippen added 21 and Luc Longley scored 10. John Stockton led the Jazz with 24 points, while Karl Malone added 21. The Jazz took a 1-0 series lead in the 1998 NBA Finals.
It was the way Michael Jordan kept hitting his shots as the Knicks kept hitting flesh. And it was obvious that no matter what the circumstances, the color of this rivalry had not faded without Patrick Ewing. The evidence spilled onto the floor at Madison Square Garden last night as each Knick who was fed up with the prickly Dennis Rodman shoved, tripped or barked at him. Pick one, Larry Johnson, John Starks or Charles Oakley. The trio displayed the kind of anger and aggression that provided the only chance the Knicks had to beat Jordan. And yet, just as Jordan has done throughout his career, he ruined the best group effort by the Knicks, gathering a remarkable 44 points as the Bulls won, 90-89. “I thought we had tremendous effort,” Knicks Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “We were beaten by a championship-caliber team, by the greatest player ever probably. We had our opportunities.” The victory was not assured until Chris Childs missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer as the Knicks declined to call a timeout to set up a final play. “I would have gone inside, but I didn’t think I would have gotten the call,” Childs said. “I thought the shot I took was good. It just didn’t go in this time.” Suddenly, the additions the Knicks have made to surround Ewing with complementary players were on the spot against chicago last night. More attention was on Houston, though. He had Jordan, but Jordan got the best of him in the second half. “I don’t think I got the job done in the second half …