1997–98 Chicago Bulls season Thirty-second NBA season, and sixth championship season, for the Chicago Bulls
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1997–98 NBA season National Basketball Association .[ 1]
During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Scott Burrell from the Golden State Warriors ,[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] Joe Kleine .[ 5] Scottie Pippen would miss the first half of the season due to an injured toe on his left foot sustained from the 1997 NBA Playoffs .[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] Steve Kerr went down with a fractured collarbone in January, and played just 50 games.[ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
At mid-season, the team traded Jason Caffey to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for David Vaughn .[ 14] [ 15] [ 16] Dickey Simpkins , who was previously released by the Warriors, and played in the final 21 games of the regular season.[ 17] [ 18] [ 19]
In the playoffs , the Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets , 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round,[ 20] [ 21] [ 22] [ 23] Charlotte Hornets , 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals,[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] [ 27] United Center , 78–76,[ 28] [ 29] [ 30] Indiana Pacers , 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to advance to the NBA Finals .[ 31] [ 32] [ 33] [ 34] Utah Jazz in a rematch from the prior year's NBA Finals and just like last year, they would go on to defeat the Jazz in six games to win the championship. The championship was their sixth in eight years and completed the franchise's second "3-peat".[ 35] [ 36] [ 37] [ 38] [ 39]
The season also saw Michael Jordan earn his fifth and final NBA Most Valuable Player Award ,[ 40] [ 41] [ 42] [ 43] 1998 NBA All-Star Game ,[ 44] [ 45] [ 46] [ 47] [ 48] [ 49] [ 50] [ 51] [ 52] Defensive Player of the Year voting.[ 53]
In addition, Pippen averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 44 games, and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team, and also to the All-Defensive First Team, while finishing in tenth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[ 53] Dennis Rodman once again led the league in rebounding with 15.0 rebounds per game. Toni Kukoč provided the team with 13.3 points per game, playing most of the season as the team's starting small forward in Pippen's absence, while Luc Longley averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Ron Harper contributed 9.3 points and 1.3 steals per game, and Kerr contributed 7.5 points per game off the bench.[ 54]
This was Jordan's last season as a Bull, as he announced his second retirement after it was over.[ 55] [ 56] [ 57] [ 58] [ 59] Washington Wizards in 2001 .[ 60] [ 61] [ 62] [ 63] [ 64] Phil Jackson resigned as head coach,[ 65] [ 66] [ 67] [ 68] Houston Rockets ,[ 69] [ 70] [ 71] [ 72] [ 73] Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent,[ 74] [ 75] [ 76] [ 77] Phoenix Suns ,[ 73] [ 78] [ 79] San Antonio Spurs ,[ 80] [ 73] [ 81] [ 82] New Jersey Nets ,[ 83] Jud Buechler signed with the Detroit Pistons ,[ 84]
Because of this dismantling of the team, this was the last season for the Bulls dynasty that had headlined the NBA throughout the 1990s. What followed was a long rebuilding process between 1998 and 2004, and the Bulls did not return to the postseason until 2005 .
The story of this season was captured in ESPN 's The Last Dance
Offseason
NBA draft
Roster
1997–98 Chicago Bulls roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F 22
Booth, Keith
226 lb (103 kg)
1974–10–09
Maryland
G 1
Brown, Randy
190 lb (86 kg)
1968–05–22
New Mexico State
F 30
Buechler, Jud
220 lb (100 kg)
1968–06–19
Arizona
F 24
Burrell, Scott
218 lb (99 kg)
1971–01–12
Connecticut
G 9
Harper, Ron
185 lb (84 kg)
1964–01–20
Miami (OH)
G 23
Jordan, Michael
215 lb (98 kg)
1963–02–17
North Carolina
G 25
Kerr, Steve
175 lb (79 kg)
1965–09–27
Arizona
C 53
Kleine, Joe
255 lb (116 kg)
1962–01–04
Arkansas
F 7
Kukoč, Toni
192 lb (87 kg)
1968–09–18
Croatia
G 5
LaRue, Rusty
210 lb (95 kg)
1973–12–10
Wake Forest
C 13
Longley, Luc
265 lb (120 kg)
1969–01–19
New Mexico
F 33
Pippen, Scottie
220 lb (100 kg)
1965–09–25
Central Arkansas
F 91
Rodman, Dennis
210 lb (95 kg)
1961–05–13
SE Oklahoma State
F 8
Simpkins, Dickey
248 lb (112 kg)
1972–04–06
Providence
C 34
Wennington, Bill
245 lb (111 kg)
1963–04–26
St. John's
Head coach Assistant coach(es) Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) SuspendedRoster
Roster Notes
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1997–98 NBA records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
TOR
UTA
VAN
WAS
Atlanta
—
2–1
4–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
1–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
4–0
Boston
1–2
—
1–2
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–0
0–2
2–0
3–2
Charlotte
0–4
2–1
—
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
Chicago
3–1
3–1
3–1
—
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–1
4–0
1–1
4–0
4–0
3–1
2–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
3–1
Cleveland
0–4
3–1
2–2
2–2
—
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
1–2
Dallas
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
3–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–4
0–4
2–2
1–1
0–4
4–0
1–1
Denver
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–3
—
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
Detroit
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–0
2–0
—
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
1–2
2–2
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
0–2
0–2
2–2
Golden State
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
3–1
0–2
—
1–3
0–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–3
1–3
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
Houston
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
—
1–1
4–0
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–3
4–0
2–2
1–3
2–0
0–4
3–1
1–1
Indiana
3–1
4–0
1–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
—
2–0
0–2
3–1
4–0
2–0
2–1
2–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
—
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
—
1–1
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–2
4–0
4–0
1–3
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
Miami
3–1
4–0
1–3
1–2
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–1
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
—
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
Milwaukee
1–3
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–3
—
1–1
0–4
3–1
2–1
2–2
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–2
Minnesota
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–2
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
0–2
4–0
0–4
1–1
1–1
—
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–3
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
New Jersey
2–1
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
—
2–2
3–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
New York
2–2
2–2
3–1
0–4
2–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–2
—
4–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
1–3
Orlando
2–2
2–2
1–3
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–1
1–1
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–2
2–0
1–3
0–4
—
4–0
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
Philadelphia
1–3
1–3
1–2
1–2
1–3
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
0–4
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–2
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–4
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
Phoenix
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–0
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
—
2–2
3–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
1–1
Portland
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
—
3–1
2–2
0–4
2–0
3–1
2–2
1–1
Sacramento
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–0
3–1
1–1
2–2
0–4
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
1–3
—
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
San Antonio
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
3–1
0–4
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–3
2–2
4–0
—
2–2
2–0
1–3
4–0
1–1
Seattle
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
4–0
3–1
2–2
—
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
Toronto
0–4
0–3
0–4
0–4
1–3
1–1
2–0
0–4
2–0
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
—
0–2
1–1
0–3
Utah
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
4–0
2–0
4–0
4–0
1–1
3–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–2
2–0
—
4–0
0–2
Vancouver
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
3–1
2–0
3–1
1–3
0–2
3–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
0–4
1–1
0–4
—
1–1
Washington
0–4
2–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–0
2–0
1–1
—
Game log
Regular season
1997–98 game log
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
November: 9–6 (home: 6–1; road: 3–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
2
November 1
Philadelphia
W 94–74
Ron Harper (17)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Ron Harper (8)
United Center 1–1
3
November 3
San Antonio
W 87–83 (OT)
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Jordan & Harper (4)
United Center 2–1
4
November 5
Orlando
W 94–81
Michael Jordan (29)
Michael Jordan (17)
Steve Kerr (5)
United Center 3–1
5
November 7
@ Atlanta
L 78–80
Michael Jordan (27)
Jordan & Longley (9)
Michael Jordan (6)
Georgia Dome 3–2
6
November 8
New Jersey
W 99–86
Steve Kerr (21)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Toni Kukoč (7)
United Center 4–2
7
November 11
@ Cleveland
L 80–101
Michael Jordan (19)
Jason Caffey (8)
Brown & Kerr (5)
Gund Arena 4–3
8
November 12
Washington
L 83–90
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Harper & Longley (5)
United Center 4–4
9
November 14
Charlotte
W 105–92
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Michael Jordan (7)
United Center 5–4
10
November 15
Cleveland
W 79–70
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Toni Kukoč (7)
United Center 6–4
11
November 20
@ Phoenix
L 85–89
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Ron Harper (5)
America West Arena 6–5
12
November 21
@ L.A. Clippers
W 111–102 (2OT)
Michael Jordan (49)
Luc Longley (17)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 7–5
13
November 23
@ Sacramento
W 103–88
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (8)
ARCO Arena 8–5
14
November 25
@ Seattle
L 90–91
Toni Kukoč (30)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Harper & Kukoč (6)
KeyArena 8–6
15
November 28
@ Indiana
L 83–94
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (11)
Toni Kukoč (4)
Market Square Arena 8–7
16
November 29
@ Washington
W 88–83
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Ron Harper (7)
US Airways Arena 9–7
December: 11–3 (home: 9–0; road: 2–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
17
December 3
@ Boston
W 97–87
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (11)
FleetCenter 10–7
18
December 5
Milwaukee
W 82–64
Toni Kukoč (19)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Dennis Rodman (5)
United Center 11–7
19
December 9
New York
W 100–82
Michael Jordan (29)
3 players tied (9)
Harper & Jordan (4)
United Center 12–7
20
December 10
@ Orlando
L 98–106
Michael Jordan (25)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Toni Kukoč (7)
Orlando Arena 12–8
21
December 12
@ Charlotte
L 77–79
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Toni Kukoč (7)
Charlotte Coliseum 12–9
22
December 13
Toronto
W 97–70
Ron Harper (20)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (6)
United Center 13–9
23
December 15
Phoenix
W 111–104
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Brown & Rodman (6)
United Center 14–9
24
December 17
L.A. Lakers
W 104–83
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (8)
United Center 15–9
25
December 20
@ New Jersey
W 100–92
Michael Jordan (24)
Dennis Rodman (24)
Dennis Rodman (5)
Continental Airlines Arena 16–9
26
December 23
L.A. Clippers
W 94–89
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (25)
3 players tied (4)
United Center 17–9
27
December 25
Miami
W 90–80
Michael Jordan (24)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Toni Kukoč (5)
United Center 18–9
28
December 27
Atlanta
W 97–90
Michael Jordan (47)
Dennis Rodman (29)
Dennis Rodman (5)
United Center 19–9
29
December 29
Dallas
W 111–105
Michael Jordan (41)
Dennis Rodman (27)
Dennis Rodman (8)
United Center 20–9
30
December 30
@ Minnesota
L 95–99
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Toni Kukoč (8)
Target Center 20–10
January: 13–3 (home: 6–1; road: 7–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
31
January 2
Milwaukee
W 114–100
Michael Jordan (44)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Luc Longley (8)
United Center 21–10
32
January 3
@ Detroit
W 105–96
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (9)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22–10
33
January 6
Boston
W 90–79
Jordan & Kukoč (19)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Toni Kukoč (6)
United Center 23–10
34
January 7
@ Miami
L 72–99
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Brown , Harper (4)
Miami Arena 23–11
35
January 9
@ New York
W 90–89
Michael Jordan (44)
Luc Longley (10)
Luc Longley (6)
Madison Square Garden 24–11
36
January 10
Golden State
W 87–82
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (5)
United Center 25–11
37
January 13
Seattle
W 101–91
Michael Jordan (40)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Dennis Rodman (6)
United Center 26–11
38
January 15
@ Philadelphia
L 96–106
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Harper & Pippen (5)
CoreStates Center 26–12
39
January 16
@ Milwaukee
W 96–86
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Luc Longley (5)
Bradley Center 27–12
40
January 18
Houston
W 106–100
Michael Jordan (45)
Longley & Rodman (5)
Scottie Pippen (10)
United Center 28–12
41
January 21
Charlotte
W 110–79
Michael Jordan (33)
Luc Longley (13)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 29–12
42
January 23
@ New Jersey
W 100–98 (OT)
Michael Jordan (32)
Scottie Pippen (7)
Kukoč & Pippen (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 30–12
43
January 25
Utah
L 94–101
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Scottie Pippen (10)
United Center 30–13
44
January 27
@ Vancouver
W 103–85
Scottie Pippen (29)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Pippen & Rodman (6)
General Motors Place 31–13
45
January 29
@ Portland
W 100–87
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Longley & Pippen (8)
Rose Garden 32–13
46
January 30
@ Golden State
W 87–80
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Scottie Pippen (4)
The Arena in Oakland 33–13
February: 10–3 (home: 6–1; road: 4–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
47
February 1
@ L.A. Lakers
L 87–112
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Brown & Pippen (5)
Great Western Forum 33–14
48
February 2
@ Denver
W 111–72
Scott Burrell (24)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Buechler & Caffey (4)
McNichols Sports Arena 34–14
49
February 4
@ Utah
L 93–101
Michael Jordan (40)
Luc Longley (11)
Dennis Rodman (4)
Delta Center 34–15
All-Star Break
50
February 10
Toronto
W 93–86
Toni Kukoč (21)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (9)
United Center 35–15
51
February 11
@ Charlotte
W 92–90
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (11)
3 players tied (6)
Charlotte Coliseum 36–15
52
February 13
Atlanta
W 112–110
Michael Jordan (37)
Michael Jordan (7)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 37–15
53
February 15
Detroit
W 99–90
Toni Kukoč (22)
Michael Jordan (12)
Jordan & Pippen (5)
United Center 38–15
54
February 17
Indiana
W 105–97
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Michael Jordan (6)
United Center 39–15
55
February 19
@ Toronto
W 123–86
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Scottie Pippen (6)
SkyDome 40–15
56
February 21
@ Washington
W 94–88
Scottie Pippen (23)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (5)
MCI Center 41–15
57
February 23
Cleveland
W 97–75
Michael Jordan (17)
Ron Harper (10)
Brown & Kukoč (7)
United Center 42–15
58
February 25
Portland
L 101–106
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Kukoč & Pippen (6)
United Center 42–16
59
February 28
Sacramento
W 109–94
Scottie Pippen (29)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Pippen & Rodman (6)
United Center 43–16
March: 13–1 (home: 6–0; road: 7–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
60
March 3
Denver
W 118–90
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (10)
United Center 44–16
61
March 8
@ New York
W 102–89
Michael Jordan (42)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Jordan & Pippen (6)
Madison Square Garden 45–16
62
March 10
Miami
W 106–91
Michael Jordan (37)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Kukoč & Pippen (8)
United Center 46–16
63
March 12
@ Dallas
L 97–104 (OT)
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Reunion Arena 46–17
64
March 14
@ San Antonio
W 96–86
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (5)
Alamodome 47–17
65
March 16
New Jersey
W 88–72
Toni Kukoč (21)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Kukoč & Rodman (5)
United Center 48–17
66
March 17
@ Indiana
W 90–84
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Scottie Pippen (5)
Market Square Arena 49–17
67
March 20
Vancouver
W 98–92
Michael Jordan (24)
Toni Kukoč (11)
Ron Harper (4)
United Center 50–17
68
March 22
@ Toronto
W 102–100
Jordan & Pippen (33)
Dennis Rodman (18)
3 players tied (5)
SkyDome 51–17
69
March 23
Boston
W 111–88
Scottie Pippen (27)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (10)
United Center 52–17
70
March 25
@ Orlando
W 85–70
Scottie Pippen (23)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (8)
Orlando Arena 53–17
71
March 27
@ Atlanta
W 89–74
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Ron Harper (6)
Georgia Dome 54–17
72
March 29
@ Milwaukee
W 104–87
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (8)
Bradley Center 55–17
73
March 31
Detroit
W 106–101 (OT)
Scottie Pippen (27)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (8)
United Center 56–17
April: 6–3 (home: 4–1; road: 2–2)
1997–98 schedule
Playoffs
1998 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
1998 schedule
Player stats
Regular season
Postseason
NBA finals
Series summary
Legend: OT denotes a game decided in overtime
Game
Date
Home team
Result
Road team
Game 1
June 3
Utah 88-85 (OT)
Chicago
Game 2
June 5
Utah
88-93
Chicago
Game 3
June 7
Chicago 96-54
Utah
Game 4
June 10
Chicago 86-82
Utah
Game 5
June 12
Chicago
81-83
Utah
Game 6
June 14
Utah
86-87
Chicago
Bulls win series 4-2
Games 1 and 2
This was the first time in the 1990s that the same two teams played each other in two consecutive finals. The Jazz had won both regular season match-ups, and many analysts predicted a hard-fought seven-game series. Predictions of a Jazz championship were strengthened with their game one victory in overtime in Utah. The Bulls would tie the series in game 2 putting together a fourth quarter run to silence the Delta Center and holding on to win 93–88, finally securing their first victory against Utah all season.
The Finals would move to Chicago with control of the series at stake in Game 3. Though anticipation was high, no one could have expected a blow-out of the proportions seen in Game 3. With a 96–54 triumph over Utah, the Bulls would help the Jazz set an embarrassing record for the lowest points scored in Finals history and biggest margin of defeat, while everyone on the Bulls scored. The Jazz would pull themselves together in Game 4 in a better attempt to tie the series, but lost 86–82.
The early Jazz series-lead seemed like a distant memory, a false indication of a tough series as they hit the floor for Game 5 behind 3–1. Chicago fans prepared for the last game they would host with the Jordan-led Bulls of the 1990s. But any notions of a championship at the United Center would be snuffed out when, with 0.8 seconds on the game, Michael Jordan airballed an off-balance 3 to the right of the basket giving the Jazz a narrow 83–81 win. The play might have been for Toni Kukoč to shoot a three. With the series shifting back to Utah with a far more generous 3-2 Bulls advantage, the promise of another Chicago championship was not so certain.
The Chicago Bulls had never let a Finals series go to a Game 7.
As they arrived at the Delta Center for Game 6, things didn't look good for the Bulls. Scottie Pippen's back gave out when he dunked the opening basket of the game and he was slowed down and held to just 8 points. The Jazz suffered a bad break when the referees incorrectly nullified a Howard Eisley three-pointer that, replays showed, was clearly released just before the 24-second clock expired. In the 4th quarter, the Bulls closed the gap as Michael Jordan tallied many of his 45 overall points. Then things got worse for Chicago when John Stockton hit a clutch 3 with 41.9 seconds left to give Utah an 86–83 lead as the Delta Center crowd roared happily. Down by 3, the Bulls had one last chance to stay alive. Running perilously low on energy, it would be imperative for Chicago to win the series before the game went into OT, and also for the Bulls to avoid a Game 7 on the road when Scottie Pippen was so badly injured and their entire lineup was exhausted.
After Michael Jordan made a quick layup to cut the Jazz lead to one, the Bulls needed to stop the Jazz from scoring again. When John Stockton passed the ball to Karl Malone, Michael Jordan stole the ball away and dribbled to the front. Guarding him was Bryon Russell , one of the Jazz's best perimeter defenders. Jordan drove inside the 3-point line, executed a quick cross-over, and drilled a 20-ft. jump shot to give the Bulls an 87–86 lead with 5.2 seconds left. After Utah took a timeout, Stockton's 3 hit the rim and bounced away, giving the Bulls their 6th title in 8 years. The famous winning shot has been immortalized in many records, as Jordan completed a perfect sextet: 6 NBA Finals, 6 championships, and 6 NBA Finals MVP trophies.[ 37]
Awards and honors
NBA All-Star Game
Transactions
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(July 2021 )
References
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