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by: Chris Maynard
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Today is the 30th anniversary of Game Three between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference second-round series of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. I have gone ahead and rewatched this game, listing my observations of what I saw with a fresh set of eyes. Here is some background about the first and second games of this series.
Game 1 Recap: Chicago held on for a 91-84 victory despite playing maybe its worst team game of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. The Bulls came out blazing in the first and second quarter, leading by as many as 15 points, with Michael Jordan scoring 15 points during the game's first twelve minutes. Give credit to the Knicks, which got the game back to its style the rest of the second and third quarters. New York got hot from the field and closed the rebounding gap. The fourth-quarter was back and forth, but Chicago did just enough behind Jordan's 44 points while New York went cold in the game's final five minutes. All in all, the Knicks played the better team game, but Chicago had the best player on the court in Jordan.
Game 2 Recap: Don't be deceived by the final score of Chicago's 91-80 victory in Game Two. The Bulls only led by two points after three quarters. After struggling from the field through the first six quarters of the series, Scottie Pippen was a major catalyst in the fourth quarter of Game Two as Chicago outscored the Knicks 27-10 at one point to put the game away. The game got chippy halfway through the fourth quarter as Patrick Ewing and Bulls Assistant Head Coach Jim Cleamons were hit with double technical fouls. Ultimately, Ewing and the Knicks' offense went missing in the last 12 minutes as the Bulls ratcheted up their defense. Michael Jordan led Chicago with 28 points while Dennis Rodman had his best game so far in the playoffs, notching 19 rebounds.
5 Quick Observations from Game Two
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Today is the 30th anniversary of Game Three between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference second-round series of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. I have gone ahead and rewatched this game, listing my observations of what I saw with a fresh set of eyes. Here is some background about the first and second games of this series.
Game 1 Recap: Chicago held on for a 91-84 victory despite playing maybe its worst team game of the 1996 NBA Playoffs. The Bulls came out blazing in the first and second quarter, leading by as many as 15 points, with Michael Jordan scoring 15 points during the game's first twelve minutes. Give credit to the Knicks, which got the game back to its style the rest of the second and third quarters. New York got hot from the field and closed the rebounding gap. The fourth-quarter was back and forth, but Chicago did just enough behind Jordan's 44 points while New York went cold in the game's final five minutes. All in all, the Knicks played the better team game, but Chicago had the best player on the court in Jordan.
Game 2 Recap: Don't be deceived by the final score of Chicago's 91-80 victory in Game Two. The Bulls only led by two points after three quarters. After struggling from the field through the first six quarters of the series, Scottie Pippen was a major catalyst in the fourth quarter of Game Two as Chicago outscored the Knicks 27-10 at one point to put the game away. The game got chippy halfway through the fourth quarter as Patrick Ewing and Bulls Assistant Head Coach Jim Cleamons were hit with double technical fouls. Ultimately, Ewing and the Knicks' offense went missing in the last 12 minutes as the Bulls ratcheted up their defense. Michael Jordan led Chicago with 28 points while Dennis Rodman had his best game so far in the playoffs, notching 19 rebounds.
5 Quick Observations from Game Two
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1. New York had to be feeling discouraged leaving Chicago down two games. The Knicks had legitimate shots during the first two games, giving Chicago problems defensively and hanging around. Unfortunately, New York's offense, especially Patrick Ewing, was nowhere to be found in the fourth quarters of both games. New York only scored 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game One, going scoreless for the last 5 minutes. In Game Two, New York got outscored by 17 points in the fourth quarter, until making up some ground with some meaningless points during garbage time. So far the Knicks had been close in this series but unable to get over the hump when it mattered.
2. Chicago has been doing a great job on the offensive glass. Offensively, the Bulls have not been playing that well, with Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc really struggling from the floor. However, Chicago has done a great job at the start of games pounding the offensive boards, which have led to a lot of second-chance points. In Game Two, Jordan made a more concerted effort to get the ball on the offensive glass, leading to several easy baskets. At times, Chicago's best offense has come off of second-chance points and points off turnovers. Chicago had 18 offensive boards in each of the first two games!
3. Give credit to New York's half-court defense. The Knicks have really made the Bulls' offense uncomfortable in the half court. In the third quarter of Game Two, Chicago was turning the ball over left and right. In fact, I cannot remember Jordan and Pippen having lost the ball so many times. While he has struggled offensively, John Starks had a really nice defensive performance in Game Two, providing great help-line defense.
4. Rodman breaks out. Just like Jordan was due for a big scoring game entering Game One of this series, Rodman was due for a big rebounding game. After only averaging 6 boards per game during the first round sweep of Miami, Rodman is averaging 15.5 boards through the first two games. While Rodman has been frustrated and limited at points due to fouls, he has done a good controlling his emotions and having better focus this series.
5. Ewing struggles when it matters. Ewing is one of the greatest centers of all time, one of the greatest superstars to never win a championship. In the first three quarters of Games One and Two, Ewing has been arguably the second best player on the floor, behind Jordan. However, his lack of impact during the fourth quarter was apparent in both games and is something that I remember a lot from the Georgetown product throughout his playoff career against the Bulls. In the first two games, Ewing scored 3 combined points in the fourth quarters of Games One and Two.
2. Chicago has been doing a great job on the offensive glass. Offensively, the Bulls have not been playing that well, with Scottie Pippen and Toni Kukoc really struggling from the floor. However, Chicago has done a great job at the start of games pounding the offensive boards, which have led to a lot of second-chance points. In Game Two, Jordan made a more concerted effort to get the ball on the offensive glass, leading to several easy baskets. At times, Chicago's best offense has come off of second-chance points and points off turnovers. Chicago had 18 offensive boards in each of the first two games!
3. Give credit to New York's half-court defense. The Knicks have really made the Bulls' offense uncomfortable in the half court. In the third quarter of Game Two, Chicago was turning the ball over left and right. In fact, I cannot remember Jordan and Pippen having lost the ball so many times. While he has struggled offensively, John Starks had a really nice defensive performance in Game Two, providing great help-line defense.
4. Rodman breaks out. Just like Jordan was due for a big scoring game entering Game One of this series, Rodman was due for a big rebounding game. After only averaging 6 boards per game during the first round sweep of Miami, Rodman is averaging 15.5 boards through the first two games. While Rodman has been frustrated and limited at points due to fouls, he has done a good controlling his emotions and having better focus this series.
5. Ewing struggles when it matters. Ewing is one of the greatest centers of all time, one of the greatest superstars to never win a championship. In the first three quarters of Games One and Two, Ewing has been arguably the second best player on the floor, behind Jordan. However, his lack of impact during the fourth quarter was apparent in both games and is something that I remember a lot from the Georgetown product throughout his playoff career against the Bulls. In the first two games, Ewing scored 3 combined points in the fourth quarters of Games One and Two.
What I remember from the day of Game Three: I know this was a Saturday afternoon game, at 12 p.m. central time in Chicago on NBC. This was an early game for the Bulls, who would play the Knicks again in less than 24 hours. I remember watching this game upstairs in my room. I had to take a break for a bit and help my Dad unload some slabs he was laying down on the small basketball court in my backyard. Basically, the court was the width of a lane; it was very small, but I got good at shooting free throws out in my yard on that rim. After helping my Dad, I watched the rest of the game.
What I remember from Game Three: It felt like New York was in control the entire game, with the Bulls hanging around, though. I do remember Jordan hitting a tough three to send the game to overtime, where New York prevailed to cut the series in half.
Here is Game Three between the Bulls and Knicks.
What I remember from Game Three: It felt like New York was in control the entire game, with the Bulls hanging around, though. I do remember Jordan hitting a tough three to send the game to overtime, where New York prevailed to cut the series in half.
Here is Game Three between the Bulls and Knicks.
Make the jump to see the starting lineups and read my observations as I watch this game for the first time in years.
Starting Lineups: Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
*Notes: Bulls' forward Toni Kukoc is out of today's game with a back injury suffered in practice the day before while Knicks' guard Charlie Ward is available after missing Game Two with a stomach virus.
NBC T.V. Commentators: Marv Albert with the play-by-play, Matt Guokas with the color commentary.
- Point Guard: Ron Harper vs. John Starks
- Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan vs. Derek Harper
- Small Forward: Scottie Pippen vs. Anthony Mason
- Power Forward: Dennis Rodman vs. Charles Oakley
- Center: Luc Longley vs. Patrick Ewing
- Head Coaches: Phil Jackson vs. Jeff Van Gundy
*Notes: Bulls' forward Toni Kukoc is out of today's game with a back injury suffered in practice the day before while Knicks' guard Charlie Ward is available after missing Game Two with a stomach virus.
NBC T.V. Commentators: Marv Albert with the play-by-play, Matt Guokas with the color commentary.
First Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
New York leads 9-6 with 6:36 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. Good news for the Knicks as John Starks hits his first two shots, both jumpers. Starks canned a jumper off a screen on the game's first possession and hit a three to give New York its lead. The Knicks started off hot, hitting their first three shots, with Mason hitting a faceup on Rodman (and sticking out his tongue a la Michael Jordan on the way down the court) and Ewing scoring on a post up. New York missed four straight before Starks' three. Jordan has come out aggressive, going 2-for-6 from the field. Jordan missed his first two shots, hit two fadeaways and missed his next two jumpers. Rodman had an offensive rebound on Chicago's first possession, leading to a made Longley half hook in the lane. Pippen has picked up two quick fouls. The Garden crowd is engaged, which made these Bulls-Knicks games so much fun to watch back in the day.
First Quarter, Under-5 Timeout Observations
New York leads 17-6 with 4:33 remaining as Chicago takes another timeout. Starks and Mason have come out to play today. Starks had two nice dribble drive assists to Mason, who is 4-for-5 from the field for 8 points. Chicago has missed its last 7 shots, with Pippen 0-for-4 to start the game. Ron Harper and Charles Oakley got in each other's faces after Harper was called for a foul down low. Oakley also elbowed and stared down Pippen after both players fell down following a missed layup on a Scottie drive. The Bulls look flat-footed, with the offense struggling once again to get any rhythm.
First Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
New York leads 21-11 with 2:03 remaining as the Knicks take a 20-second timeout. Starks began this stretch with a steal of a Bill Wennington pass and a reverse dunk on the break. New York was on a 13-0 run until Jordan canned a corner jumper, breaking a 4:29 drought for the Bulls. After missing his first five shots, Pippen finally banked one in. Ron Harper is also 0/3, though he had two steals during this stretch. Rodman received a technical for shoving Oakley in the back after a foul on a fastbreak. That is Rodman's 1st technical of the series. Rodman and Phoenix's Charles Barkley led the NBA with 29 technicals during the 1995-96 season. Anthony Mason had 22 techs on the season. The refs have been calling a tight whistle against the Bulls, with Chicago's old friend Hue Hollins reffing he game. Chicago committed six fouls before New York was whistled for its first.
End of First Quarter Observations
New York leads 25-17 at the end of the first quarter. The refs are really calling a tight whistle, disrupting the flow to the game. Jordan leads Chicago with 11 points but is just 3/6 from the free throw line. He is 4/9 from the field while the Bulls are 6/19 from the field. The only other Bulls to score in the first quarter were Longley, Pippen and Jud Buechler, with each player having two points. Mason and Starks, who has two fouls, both have 8 points while Ewing has 7 points and 4 rebounds. Jordan and Oakley had an interesting moment. After Jordan canned a jumper from the winger over Oakley, Jordan patted Oakley on the behind, as if to say Oakley has no chance of stopping him.
Second Quarter, Under-9 Timeout Observations
New York leads 33-23 with 8:08 remaining. Charlie Ward has sparked the Knicks during this segment, penetrating and feeding Oakley, who has scored four quick points, for a layup. Ward then stole a lazy pass by Pippen and coasted in for a layup. Ward then made a beautiful lefty layup in traffic. Chicago had hit two bank shots in a row by Pippen and Rodman of all people. However, Pippen blew a layup off a beautiful up and under that had Hubert Davis out of his shorts and then missed another banker. Pippen was icing down his shoulder between quarters after straining it early in the game. Steve Kerr also hit a shot for Chicago, but the Bulls offense is once again looking ragged. New York has been the more aggressive and energetic team so far. New York has a 15-8 advantage on the boards, limiting Chicago to just 2 offensive rebounds. The Knicks have committed 5 turnovers but only yielded 3 points off those mistakes. New York also has a 20-6 advantage with points in the paint.
Second Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
New York leads 33-27 with 6:54 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. Chicago is on a mini 4-0 run as Pippen made a nice layup off a curl screen in the lane and Jordan just hit a nasty fadeaway on Willie Anderson, who was juked out of his shorts. Anderson has had a tough time off the bench, missing three shots and getting schooled here. Rodman had two defensive rebounds during this stretch and is starting to come alive. Steve Kerr deflected a ball out bounds, and Jeff Van Gundy saw enough, electing to call a timeout.
Second Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
New York leads 35-33 with 2:55 remaining. Chicago is starting to swing this game, in the midst of a 10-2 run. Jordan has hit two faceup jumpers and now has a game-high 19 points. Jordan has 58% of Chicago's points and just came out for his first rest, with Steve Kerr replacing him. All 7 of Jordan's makes have been jumpers. He is 7/12 from the field and 5/8 from the free throw line. Pippen is really struggling with his shot, as he is just 3/13 to start the game. Without Kukoc, the Bulls feel like they lack a bit of depth off the bench. Longley has three fouls after Willie Anderson had a beautiful finish at the rim on him. New York's offense has gone cold, and the Knicks have had three turnovers during this stretch. This feels like the reverse of Games One and Two, when Chicago got off to strong starts and the Knicks chipped away. The Knicks got off to a hot, but now Chicago is doing the chipping.
Halftime Observations
New York leads 43-38 at the end of two quarters. New York led by as many as 13 points at one point, but the Bulls have gotten back into the game. Starks has been phenomenal, hitting 5/7 for 13 points, including a jumper and three during this stretch. Jordan has 22 points, the rest of the team has 16. Steve Kerr hit a nice banker during this stretch. Rodman had a beautiful one-handed block of a reverse layup attempt by Ewing. That was great help defense by Rodman. Charles Oakley was hit with a technical foul, pushing Rodman after a free throw make. According to Jim Gray, Oakley was talking to the Bulls' bench, specifically Scottie Pippen and John Salley, telling them to stop crying. Oakley has scored 6 points and been looking to lay out people throughout the game. All things considered, Chicago has to feel good to be relatively close.
Third Quarter, Under-8 Timeout Observations
New York leads 49-45 with 7:44 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. Both teams are really struggling from the field, throwing up bricks left and right. Pippen is now 3/16. Ron Harper is 0/5. Derek Harper missed a layup and three. He is 1/9. The Knicks began 1/6 to start the half. New York does lead 26-19 on the boards. Rodman is having an active half, nearly missing two offensive rebounds, with one tap out leading to a Starks breakout and feed to Harper for a layup. Besides Jordan, Starks has been the best player on the court so far during Game Three. Bill Wennington had a nice jumper off a steal of a Ewing rebound. He has given Chicago great minutes this series. Jordan hit a tough baseline fadeaway during this stretch. Ewing has been very quiet since a strong first quarter. He has not scored since the opening 12 minutes.
Third Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 51-49 as New York takes a quick 20-second timeout. The Bulls finally hit a three. Ron Harper bags one off of a double team of Jordan, and Pippen steals the inbound pass to hit another three. A similar sequence happened in the second quarter of Game Two. That was a terrible inbound pass by Oakley, who showed indifferent defense on Pippen's shot. Pippen is now just 15/53 from the field this series. Chicago is in the midst of an 8-0 run. The Knicks cannot find any offense, with Ewing having a pass stolen by Jordan and missing a jumper, and Starks missing an open shot off a screen. New York has 11 turnovers for the game.
Third Quarter, Under-4 Timeout Observations
New York leads 57-51 with 3:37 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. Oakley has sparked the Knicks with his activity. After Starks missed two free throws, Oakley tracked down the offensive rebound in the corner, and kicked out to Starks for a three. Oakley just had an offensive tip in leading to the Chicago timeout. Ewing also hit a shot across the lane for his first bucket since the first quarter. New York has picked up the defense. Derek Harper had a nice steal of a posting Jordan, leading to a Starks run out and foul. The Knicks then forced a 24-second violation, and Steve Kerr followed with a long miss on a deep three. The Garden is rocking, with the Defense chant getting loud. I am getting boosebumps watching this. What intensity! :-)
Third Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations
New York leads 60-58 with 48 seconds remaining. Steve Kerr just pickpocketed Charlie Ward and John Starks on back-to-back possessions, but missed a layup and lost the ball out of bounds. I think Kerr was so shocked by his defense that he tensed up when going up for his shots. Ron Harper gave him a hug after losing the ball, making for a funny moment. As for the game, Mason is getting going for the Knicks, slamming a dunk after Rodman made the mistake of doubling Ewing. Rodman has been awesome, playing the entire game and not getting whistled for a foul. He had a layup during this stretch and hit two free throws.
End of Third Quarter Observations
New York leads 62-58 at the end of three. Mason had a beautiful face up, dribble drive and spin for a layup on Rodman. Mason has been big the last few minutes, and has 16 points for the game. This is setting up for a tight/tense fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
New York leads 69-63 with 9:31 remaining. Hue Hollins just whistled a foul on a Knick and inadvertantly hit Jeff Van Gundy on the sidelines. Van Gundy fell down and looked like he was temporarily conccussed. Well, the game is certainly picking up. Chicago was whistled for three fouls during the first 1:05, with Rodman getting two fouls after not being whistled for one the entire game. Rodman has played all but 10 seconds in Game Three. Starks hit a beautiful baseline three off a great pick by Ewing and Charlie Ward had a nice floater in the lane. Ward needed to play more in this game. Scottie Pippen is getting going for the second-straight fourth quarter. Pippen had a beautiful layup plus the foul off a backdoor lob pass from Kerr, who put that one right on the money. Pippen then canned a three.
Fourth Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
New York leads 77-67 with 6:23 remaining. As Marv Albert just said, "The Garden is rocking." Charlie Ward has had two beautiful layups. He is 5/6 for 12 points. After starting 1/5 in the half, Jordan had two beautiful layups of his own, including a ridiculous spin move on Willie Anderson off the left wing. New York has outscored Chicago 15-9 so far this quarter. Ewing is doing a lot of little things, hitting two free throws and getting an offensive board. Longley has five fouls. The fouls are picking up for both sides. This is a fun game to watch, with 90s playoff intensity at MSG at its finest. Chicago only has 6 offensive boards.
Fourth Quarter, Under-5 Timeout Observations
New York leads 82-74 with 4:45 remaining. The Knicks were up 82-69 with 5:24 remaining but Chicago has gone on a quick 5-0 run. Pippen canned a three and Steve Kerr hit a corner jumper off a beautiful head fake and one dribble. Jordan had a ridiculous fadeaway during this stretch on the baseline. New York had a chance to push the lead back to 13 but Willie Anderson missed a wide-open three off a beautiful kickout from Ewing, who was facing a double team. Ewing has 6 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter. Jordan leads all scorers with 30 points.
Fourth Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
New York leads 84-78 with 2:46 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout with Ward at the line to shoot a second free throw. Pippen has had a big fourth quarter, getting an offensive rebound of a missed Rodman layup for a putback. Ewing has been having a great all-around fourth quarter, securing a defensive board and throwing a deep pass down court to Starks for a dunk. While having a rough game, Longley just had a nice lefty half hook in the lane. Chicago was in the midst of a 7-0 run before Starks' slam. New York has a 41-30 advantage on the boards. Rodman has 16 rebounds thus far. New York has scored 22 points this quarter, Chicago 20. The Bulls are shooting 60% from the field, New York 50%. The Bulls are 2/2 from deep, both by Pippen. The Knicks are 1/3 from three, with Derek Harper having a bad miss in the corner that hit the side of the backboard. Chicago has 4 turnovers this quarter, New York 2.
Fourth Quarter, Under-2 Timeout Observations
New York leads 88-80 with 1:30 remaining. Ewing just canned a big corner jumper, leading to a Bulls timeout. After Chicago missed a shot, Ewing almost got into it with Rodman, who tried to trip him after failing to secure the loose ball. Jordan began this segment with a one-hand dunk down the lane, as two Knicks accidentally picked each other off following a wing-entry pass from Pippen to Jordan, who was at the foul line. Starks followed up with a glorious baseline spinning layup. Starks has been incredible! Ewing has stepped up, with 8 of his 17 points during the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter, Under-2 Timeout Observations, Part II
New York leads 88-83 with 1:07 remaining as the Knicks take a timeout. Derek Harper got bailed out by the refs as he was trapped by Pippen and Jordan at halfcourt. It looked like Pippen had a steal, but the ref awarded a timeout to New York. Jordan just hit a three after Pippen secured an offensive rebound off a missed Jordan three. Chicago is on a 14-6 run.
Fourth Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations
New York leads 88-85 with 30 seconds remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. The Bulls have just forced back to back turnovers. Pippen stole a Starks pass. Jordan then hit a ridiculous, high-arching shot over two Knicks. He has 37 points for the game. Rodman got Oakley to shuffle his feet on a drive. Oakley has six turnovers. Here come some more Jordan heroics. :-)
Fourth Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations, Part II
The game is tied at 88 with 19.4 seconds left as New York takes a timeout. Jordan just hit a three from the top of the key to tie this game up. He now has 40 points and is 2/4 from deep in the game. Chicago is just 6/16 from three, with Pippen 3/8. Still Jordan has gone on a personal 8-0 run here to stun the Garden. Jordan has 16 of his 40 in the fourth quarter. He has scored Chicago's last 10 points. Chicago is on a 19-6 run in the last 5 minutes.
Fourth Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations, Part III
The game is tied at 88 with 2.6 seconds left as Chicago takes a timeout. Starks misses a jumper and the ball is knocked out of bounds by the Knicks. The Bulls will have a chance to steal this game here.
End of Regulation
The game is tied at 88 as we go to overtime. Jordan gets off a one-handed prayer as the lob inbound pass from Pippen was guarded tough by New York. Jordan's impossible shot gets air as the game goes to an extra five minutes. What an exciting finish that was to the end of the fourth quarter!
Overtime, Under-3 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 97-94 with 2:03 remaining. What a furious start to overtime. Starks hits a mid-range jumper. Pippen cans a three off an offensive rebound. Starks drains a three. Jordan scores on a post up and then gets two free throws. Ewing splits a pair of free throws. Jordan scores on a missed shot of his own, banking in the ball after the rebound. Jordan has 46 points. Pippen and Jordan have 35 of Chicago's 39 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Overtime, Under-1 Timeout Observations
New York leads 98-97 with 37.9 seconds remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. Ewing has been the hero here, just hitting a faceup jumper over Longley. A few possessions before Ewing threw up a prayer that fell down while falling across the lane. He also blocked a Jordan layup at the rim, which Chicago recovered, though Longley missed a jumper. Pippen also missed a three as Chicago was unable to score on back-to-back possessions.
Overtime, Under-1 Timeout Observations, Part II
New York leads 99-97 with 27.3 seconds remaining as Chicago takes a timeout with Starks having one more free throw. Oakley knocked the ball away from a dribbling Jordan, with Starks picking up the 50/50 ball. Jordan fouled Starks, who hit his first free throw. Jordan was upset as he felt he fouled Oakley, who is not as good of a free-throw shooter.
Overtime, Under-1 Timeout Observations, Part III
New Yorks leads 102-99 with 11.3 second left as Chicago takes a timeout. Oakley just hit two free throws after Starks hit the back end of his free throw. Chicago had the game down to one point on a Pippen dunk off a nice feed from Longley. I wonder who is taking the last shot here? :-) New York is 23/33 from the foul line; Chicago is 16/20.
Final Score: New York Knicks 102, Chicago Bulls 99.
Pippen misses a three at the buzzer as New York sent a double team at Jordan, who made the right basketball play by passing to the open player. Chicago finishes 7/21 from three and loses its first game of the playoffs. The Knicks cut the series to 2-1 with a gutty victory in a classic. Here is the final box score.
Five Stars of the Game
1. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Ewing scores 13 of his 22 in the fourth quarter and overtime, including two big shots to put New York up for good. What a great response from Ewing, who only scored a combined 3 points in the fourth quarters of Games One and Two.
2. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls. Jordan finishes with a game-high 46 points and nearly stole the game all by himself in the final minutes of regulation. He also played 51 minutes, with his sore back no longer an issue. Jordan hit 17/35 shots from the field.
3. John Starks, New York Knicks. After struggling offensively in Games One and Two, Starks breaks out with 30 points on 11-for-18 from the field and 5-for-8 from three.
4. Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls. After another miserable first three quarters shooting the ball, Pippen caught fire in the fourth quarter, hitting several big threes. Pippen was only 10/29 from the field, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
5A. Anthony Mason, New York Knicks. Mason played 49 valiant minutes, keying New York in the third quarter and finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
5B. Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls. Rodman played a game-high 52 minutes, finishing with 16 rebounds and 7 points.
2. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls. Jordan finishes with a game-high 46 points and nearly stole the game all by himself in the final minutes of regulation. He also played 51 minutes, with his sore back no longer an issue. Jordan hit 17/35 shots from the field.
3. John Starks, New York Knicks. After struggling offensively in Games One and Two, Starks breaks out with 30 points on 11-for-18 from the field and 5-for-8 from three.
4. Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls. After another miserable first three quarters shooting the ball, Pippen caught fire in the fourth quarter, hitting several big threes. Pippen was only 10/29 from the field, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
5A. Anthony Mason, New York Knicks. Mason played 49 valiant minutes, keying New York in the third quarter and finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
5B. Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls. Rodman played a game-high 52 minutes, finishing with 16 rebounds and 7 points.
Dud of the Game
1. Derek Harper, New York Knicks. Harper had one of those miserable games players occasionally have, scoring 3 points on 1-of-11 from the field.
Game Three Highlights
Here are the highlights of a thrilling Game Three.
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