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by: Chris Maynard
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Today is the 30th anniversary of Game Four 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 series so far.
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Today is the 30th anniversary of Game Four 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 series so far.
Game 3 Recap: A Saturday afternoon matinee, Game Three was very similar to the first two games of the series, with a few exceptions. Rather than the Chicago Bulls getting out to an early lead, the New York Knicks were the team to do so at Madison Square Garden. New York seemed to be on cruise control with a 13-point lead with about five minutes to go, but the Knicks were done in again by fourth-quarter issues as Chicago stormed back behind Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Jordan hit a three with just under 20 seconds to go to tie the game, and the Bulls had a final shot to win in regulation. Luckily for New York, Chicago did not muster much of a good look, and the game went to overtime. Unlike the first two games of the series, Knicks' center Patrick Ewing was big when the game mattered most, scoring 13 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Ewing made two big baskets in overtime to give the Knicks a 98-97 lead that it would not relinquish. The Knicks were led by John Starks, who broke out of a shooting slump from the first two games to score 30 points. After having chances to steal Games One and Two, New York finally broke through in Game Three, which the Bulls almost stole late in regulation. With Game Four happening within 24 hours of a Game Three classic, the Knicks seemed to have some momentum on their side. Down Toni Kukoc again, would the Bulls be able to respond, especially after Dennis Rodman and Jordan played more than 50 minutes in Game Three?
5 Quick Observations from Game Three
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1) Of the six games I have reviewed so far during the Bulls' championship run during the 1996 NBA Playoffs, this was by far the most exciting to rewatch. It's been 30 years, but the intense atmosphere of Madison Square Garden could still be felt today. For my money there was no better team than the Knicks to watch the Bulls play on the road in the playoffs back then. What an atmosphere!
2) While the modern NBA is about all player maintenance and load management, Game Three harkened back to when players were warriors. Rodman, Jordan and Pippen played 52, 51 and 49 minutes, respectively, despite being in their thirties as Toni Kukoc was out with a back injury. Four out of five Knicks starters played at least 40 minutes, with the lone exception being Derek Harper, who played 39 minutes. Game Three reminded me of a time when NBA players had pride, winning took precedent before anything else, and the game meant something to these players.
3) Starks and Ewing deserve flowers for their Game Three performances. Starks was active from the jump, scoring the first two points of the game on a jumper, after really struggling the first two games in Chicago. Ewing responded from his fourth-quarter struggles to do whatever it took to win Game Three.
4) Whenever people want to have the G.O.A.T. debate, turn on the fourth quarter of Game Three and watch Jordan go to work in the final five minutes. That was something to behold. Jordan had 16 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter. As for Pippen, he continued to shake off rough shooting performances to deliver when it mattered in the fourth quarter. Jordan and Pippen scored 35 of Chicago's 39 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, certainly looking like the greatest duo the game has ever seen.
5) Bill Wennington and Steve Kerr continued to have under-the-radar good series against the Knicks. In limited minutes Wennington did some nice things for the third straight game. It was no coincidence that Wennington was the first Bulls' big off the bench in Game Three after his production in the first two games. Wennington's familiarity with Ewing, having played against the Georgetown legend while at St. John's, was certainly a factor in his solid play. As for Kerr, he hit some important shots to keep the Bulls within striking distance during the first three quarters. His back-to-back steals of Charlie Ward and John Starks reveal how Kerr was a hard worker on defense for not being the biggest or quickest guy out there. Overall, Kerr gave the Bulls 25 solid minutes on a night he was needed with Kukoc out. While Kerr's significance on these Bulls' title teams is overblown nowadays, given his status as Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, he deserves credit for playing well through the first three games of this series.
2) While the modern NBA is about all player maintenance and load management, Game Three harkened back to when players were warriors. Rodman, Jordan and Pippen played 52, 51 and 49 minutes, respectively, despite being in their thirties as Toni Kukoc was out with a back injury. Four out of five Knicks starters played at least 40 minutes, with the lone exception being Derek Harper, who played 39 minutes. Game Three reminded me of a time when NBA players had pride, winning took precedent before anything else, and the game meant something to these players.
3) Starks and Ewing deserve flowers for their Game Three performances. Starks was active from the jump, scoring the first two points of the game on a jumper, after really struggling the first two games in Chicago. Ewing responded from his fourth-quarter struggles to do whatever it took to win Game Three.
4) Whenever people want to have the G.O.A.T. debate, turn on the fourth quarter of Game Three and watch Jordan go to work in the final five minutes. That was something to behold. Jordan had 16 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter. As for Pippen, he continued to shake off rough shooting performances to deliver when it mattered in the fourth quarter. Jordan and Pippen scored 35 of Chicago's 39 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, certainly looking like the greatest duo the game has ever seen.
5) Bill Wennington and Steve Kerr continued to have under-the-radar good series against the Knicks. In limited minutes Wennington did some nice things for the third straight game. It was no coincidence that Wennington was the first Bulls' big off the bench in Game Three after his production in the first two games. Wennington's familiarity with Ewing, having played against the Georgetown legend while at St. John's, was certainly a factor in his solid play. As for Kerr, he hit some important shots to keep the Bulls within striking distance during the first three quarters. His back-to-back steals of Charlie Ward and John Starks reveal how Kerr was a hard worker on defense for not being the biggest or quickest guy out there. Overall, Kerr gave the Bulls 25 solid minutes on a night he was needed with Kukoc out. While Kerr's significance on these Bulls' title teams is overblown nowadays, given his status as Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, he deserves credit for playing well through the first three games of this series.
What I remember from Game Four: Of course, it was Mother's Day so I watched this game with family at my grandparents' house as we celebrated the special occasion. I remember being very stressed this game, which went back-and-forth throughout the fourth quarter, thinking at one point that New York was going to win and even the series at two. I think I was having flashbacks of Game Four of 1992 second-round series between the Knicks and Bulls. That game was also played at Madison Square Garden on Mother's Day, with my family watching at my grandparents' house. Thankfully, the Bulls would experience a different fate in 1996, with Wennington hitting a go-ahead jumper to give Chicago the victory during another tight contest.
Here is Game Four 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
NBC T.V. Commentators: Marv Albert with the play-by-play, Matt Guokas with the color commentary.
Notes:
- 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
NBC T.V. Commentators: Marv Albert with the play-by-play, Matt Guokas with the color commentary.
Notes:
- Bulls' forward Toni Kukoc is out for the second-straight game with a bad back.
- NBC picked up this game right at the end of the first quarter as the prior game between the Seattle Supersonics and Houston Rockets had gone overtime. Seattle would win Game Four to complete a second-round sweep of the defending-champion Rockets, which would not be winning three titles in a row in 1996, meaning the NBA would be crowning a new champion this playoffs.
What We Missed
During a break in the Seattle-Houston game, back in the studio NBC's Bob Costas provides an update with the Knicks leading 12-6 with 7:26 returning. Derek Harper is off to a fast start, with 5 points after scoring only 3 points in Game Three. Michael Jordan has four points while Dennis Rodman was slapped with an early-technical for slapping the ball out of Mason's hands after a whistle.
As Seattle-Houston are still wrapping up, NBC cuts to the Bulls-Knicks game for a few possessions. New York leads 19-14 with 3:10 remaining as Mason posts up and kicks out to Oakley, who cans a jumper. Jordan rebounds with an offensive stick back of a missed shot by Longley, who has three blocks at the beginning of the game. Jordan now has 6 points on 3/8 shooting. Derek Harper cans a three as the game goes back to Seattle and Houston.
Seattle and Houston finally ends, with the Sonics winning 114-117 in overtime to complete the sweep of the Rockets in Houston. NBC goes to the Bulls-Knicks game with 12 seconds left in the first quarter. Oakley misses a corner three at the buzzer as the first 12 minutes end with Rodman grabbing the rebound.
As Seattle-Houston are still wrapping up, NBC cuts to the Bulls-Knicks game for a few possessions. New York leads 19-14 with 3:10 remaining as Mason posts up and kicks out to Oakley, who cans a jumper. Jordan rebounds with an offensive stick back of a missed shot by Longley, who has three blocks at the beginning of the game. Jordan now has 6 points on 3/8 shooting. Derek Harper cans a three as the game goes back to Seattle and Houston.
Seattle and Houston finally ends, with the Sonics winning 114-117 in overtime to complete the sweep of the Rockets in Houston. NBC goes to the Bulls-Knicks game with 12 seconds left in the first quarter. Oakley misses a corner three at the buzzer as the first 12 minutes end with Rodman grabbing the rebound.
End of First Quarter
New York leads 28-24 at the end of one. The Knicks got off to another fast start like in Game Three but Chicago has hung around within striking distance. The Knicks are 10/16 (63%) from the field; Chicago is 9/23 (39%). The Bulls have gone 3-for-6 from three, New York is 4-for-6 from deep. Derek Harper is atoning for a rough Game Three, going 4/4 from the field for 13 points. Jordan has 6 points and 2 fouls. Rodman has 6 rebounds and a tech, which was quite weak as he lightly knocked the ball away from Mason.
Second Quarter, Under-9 Timeout Observations
The game is tied at 32 with 8:54 remaining. Both teams are trying to steal some minutes at the beginning of the quarter, with Randy Brown in for Chicago and Herb Williams in for the Knicks. Neither player played in Game Three. The refs are calling tight whistles. New York has three foul calls during Chicago's first possession of the quarter, with Williams immediately picking up two. New York has four fouls already this quarter. After hitting two free throws, Jordan got a dunk on a break created by a Pippen steal of Williams. Chicago has two steals during this stretch and was in the midst of a 10-2 run to tie the game at 28. New York's Willie Anderson broke the run with a wing three off a nice pass from Charlie Ward, who then drew a questionable third foul on Jordan, who is now on the bench. Ron Harper replaced Jordan and just had a beautiful offensive tip in off a missed Pippen three to tie the game 32. The prior possession, Steve Kerr split the defense and made a beautiful banker. Ron Harper was just called for a ticky tack foul leading to the break. Apparently, Phil Jackson was complaining about the free-throw disparity between the Knicks and Bulls in Game Three. New York shot 33 free throws, the Bulls 20. Right now the refs have had several questionable foul calls against both teams.
Second Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
New York leads 38-36 with 6:53 remaining. Both teams are getting important contributions from the bench. Anderson hit two free throws for the Knicks to start this session before Ron Harper made a beautiful lob pass to Randy Brown, who dunked the ball. That was a great half-court set. After having a great Game One but struggling in Games Two and Three, Hubert Davis has come out aggressive and driving to the hoop, missing a shot in the lane before scoring on Steve Kerr at the rim. Chicago got a layup from James Edwards off a beautiful pass from Dennis Rodman. Ewing responded right away with a fadeaway over Edwards to give New York its current lead. Ewing has 6 points on 3/4 from the field. Chicago has a 14-10 advantage on the boards, including a 6-0 lead on offensive boards. Rodman has 7 rebounds.
Second Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
New York leads 50-46 with 2:23 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. The gamesmanship is picking up as Chicago is complaining about the condition of the basketball, saying it is too slippery. New York has started the game shooting 65% from the field, the Bulls 41%. As for the free throws, Jackson can't be happy with the Knicks already shooting 16 (making 13) and the Bulls only getting 8 attempts (making 6). Ewing is off to a great start, going 5/6 from the field and 4-for-4 from the line for 14 points. He just hit a baseline fadeaway over Edwards after a Rodman outlet pass was stolen by Charles Oakley. Ewing also had a tough banker across the lane as he was falling down. Hubert Davis added a corner jumper during this stretch, which saw the Bulls pick up some questionable fouls, leading to Knicks free throws as Chicago is in the penalty. Edwards and Jud Buechler got two quick fouls called on them. Buechler has been awesome on the other end, going 3/3 from the field for a much-needed 6 points. Buechler hit two long jumpers from both wings and had a nice reverse layup off a beautiful offensive rebound and tap to him by Jordan, who has been playing this whole segment with three fouls. Randy Brown also had a layup off a Ewing goal tend. Honestly, it looked like that ball was still going up, leading to another questionable call by the officials. Edwards has been aggressive, taking four shots but hitting just one. Right now Chicago has a 16-12 advantage on the boards, including 8-1 on the offensive glass. The Bulls are hanging without Kukoc and despite some tough calls against them.
Halftime Observations
Chicago leads 51-50 at the break. The Bulls just took its first lead of the game, with Rodman getting a tap in of a missed shot of his own and Jordan hitting a faceup three over Anthony Mason. New York's offense got frazzled late in the quarter, with Starks overdribbling and losing the ball, and Ewing taking a deep jumper with Longley in his grill. Jordan missed a three at the end of the half but has 15 points on 5/13 from the field, along with 4 rebounds. Ewing leads the Knicks with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting and 6 rebounds. The Knicks led by as much as 8, but did not do a good job in the second quarter of extending the lead. Starks did not get a shot in this quarter and is 2/4 from the field. Give credit to Chicago, which is controlling the boards, leading to second shots, and picking up the defense, keeping the Knicks off guard with late traps. New York can't be feeling good, shooting 57% on 16/27 from the field while losing by one point. Chicago is only 20/46 from the field (44%), but has 19 more shots, due to a 10-1 advantage on the offensive glass. Chicago has a 20-14 edge on the glass. Rodman has 10 boards, 5 offensive, along with 4 points.
Third Quarter, Under-8 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 59-56 with 7:03 remaining. It has been an ugly stretch to the start the third as the refs are calling fouls nearly every possession. New York is already in the penalty. Longley picked up three fouls during this stretch and now has 5 fouls. Jordan got his fourth foul, a flagrant on a fast-break run out by Starks. That was a hard foul but not a flagrant, a terrible overreaction by the refs. Chicagos continue to pounds the offensive glass, leading to a 14-1 advantage on second-chance points. Longley had a nice offensive stick back for Chicago's first points of the half. Jordan also drove and found Rodman for a layup. New York went scoreless for 5 minutes, dating back to the first half, before Ewing hit a faceup jumper, ending a modest 10-0 Bulls' run. Oakley had a jumper as well. That's all this stretch has been, 2 made field goals for both teams and a bunch of fouls. Bill Wennington is in for Longley. Starks is seemingly getting frustrated with his lack of involvement, overdribbling and losing the ball out of bounds. New York has also not gotten Mason going. Back to Jordan and his four fouls. The last time he fouled out of a game was November 22, 1991 against the Sonics. The last time he fouled out of a playoff game was May 5, 1989 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Third Quarter, Under-5 Timeout Observations
New York leads 64-62 with 4:55 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. The Knicks are on an 8-3 run. Oakley was keeping the Knicks in the game with a nice layup off a great pass from Ewing out of a double team and then a corner jumper before picking up his fourth foul. Ewing drew a questionable foul call on Wennington, hitting two free throws for his 18th and 19th points. Ewing is 7/8 from the free throw line, where he has struggled this playoffs. Speaking of struggling at the line, Pippen just missed two after Jordan missed a couple earlier in the quarter. Pippen had a rare terrible turnover, spinning baseline and getting caught in the air. He kicked the ball out to no one, with Derek Harper picking up, dribbling down court and hitting a jumper over Ron Harper for his first points since the first quarter. Derek Harper is 5/6 for 15 points, and New York has hit 5 straight shots. After taking 29 shots in Game Three, Pippen has not been too aggressive looking for his shot. With the exception of a Ron Harper off a Jordan steal of Starks, the Bulls have no offensive rhythm. This is becoming a grinder of a game, with the officiating this half very frustrating on both ends.
Third Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 77-68 with 18.7 seconds remaining as New York takes a 20-second timeout. The Bulls have finally found offense, going on a 15-2 run. Jordan just hit a three over Willie Anderson, who was accidentally hit in the face as Jordan swept the ball. Rodman has been amazing during this stretch, coming over for a weakside block of Ewing and drawing a charge on Mason. He has 15 rebounds, 7 offensive, and is not coming off the court. The Bulls have a 34-20 edge on the glass, 16 to 1 on the offensive boards. The Knicks are imploding with bad shots and turnovers. After a nice dribble kickout for a Ewing jumper, Starks has forced three awful shots during this stretch. After missing a couple of open threes early in the quarter, Ron Harper had a huge four-point play, hitting a desperation three at the end of the shot clock plus the foul on Charlie Ward. Harper has a quiet 16 points for the Bulls. Randy Brown had a nice block of Ward, which Rodman retrieved prior to Jordan's three.
End of Third Quarter Observations
Chicago leads 77-68 at the end of three. That was looking like a bad quarter for the Bulls until the last few minutes, finishing on the 15-2 run for the biggest lead of the game. Jordan has 25 points on 7/17 from the field, adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Ewing leads the Knicks with 21 points. Chicago has taken 21 more shots than the Knicks, who are shooting just under 60% for the game but obviously giving up too many second-chance points.
Fourth Quarter, Under-10 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 82-71 with 9:59 remaining. These refs are something today, calling a technical foul on Phil Jackon on the first possession after Pippen fouled Mason. Oakley got a technical shortly thereafter after talking trash to Pippen, who wisely kept his mouth shut. With Jordan on the bench, the Bulls have extended the lead thanks to a Steve Kerr corner three and a beautiful dribble drive layup by Randy Brown, who split the Knicks defense. Rodman has picked up two fouls during this stretch and has 4 for the game. Starks just hit a tough field goal during which was fouled by Ron Harper, though the refs missed the call. Starks then threw up another bad shot, picking up an offensive foul crashing the boards while trying to atone for his bad decision.
Fourth Quarter, Under-7 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 86-78 with 6:42 remaining. It feels like the game is starting to turn in favor of the Knicks. Chicago just had back-to-back turnovers, with Kerr throwing a pass that went through Rodman's hands and Ron Harper being called for a travel. Fortunately, Ewing followed Kerr's turnover with a moving screen. Oakley has been fighting hard this game, drawing Jordan's fifth foul on an offensive rebound attempt. Fouls are piling up. Longley was disqualified for his sixth and picked up a technical foul expressing his frustration. He had four quick fouls in the second half. Rodman and Ewing both have four fouls. Chicago got a needed basket from John Salley, who made a tough layup off a nice cut as Jordan hit him out of a double. The Bulls have 20 more shots for the game due to an 18-3 edge in offensive rebounding and 39-23 advantage overall. Ewing has hit 9/10 free throws tonight. He has three blocks this half, including one just on Rodman, who apparently reinjured a pinky finger he broke earlier in the year. Ron Harper had a nice bank shot off a headfake and dribble. Jordan has missed his last several shots after sitting out the first few minutes of the half. Jackson has been trying to rest Jordan, Rodman and Pippen for the stretch after they logged big minutes in Game Three. The Garden is getting loud as this game figures to have a tense and exciting ending.
Fourth Quarter, Under-5 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 86-82 with 4:29 remaining as New York takes a timeout. Derek Harper is down holding his shoulder after Salley set a hard screen. That was a weird sequence. After a missed Jordan jumper, and with Harper down on the ground, Starks got the long rebound, dribbled through three Bulls and made a layup plus the foul. He will have a free throw out of the break. New York is 8/8 from the line this quarter. Rodman has picked up his fifth foul. Three of his five fouls have come this quarter. Jordan and he have 5 each. Pippen just reentered after getting some rest. Jordan has missed at least four straight shots. Chicago has been kept alive on the glass, with Rodman and Harper getting key offensive boards. It's now a 21-4 advantage in offensive rebounding. Rodman missed two free throws though. The Bulls need Pippen to be assertive as he has just reentered the game.
Fourth Quarter, Under-3 Timeout Observations
New York leads 87-86 with 2:26 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. Ewing just hit a tough shot over Pippen inside the key to give New York the lead. The Knicks have 4 field goals this quarter but are 11/11 from the line. Chicago's offense has gone stagnant as the Knicks have forced several 24-second shot clock violations. Jordan is 0-for-5 this quarter and just 7/23 for the game. Phil Jackson has gone with John Salley for a long time since Longley fouled out. Wennington hasn't played a lot this game despite having a good series so far. As for Derek Harper, he went to the locker room after his injury, which was described as a possible separation. However, he just reentered the game, as the Knicks think he is dealing with muscle spasms.
Fourth Quarter, Under-2 Timeout Observations
New York leads 89-86 with 1:41 remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. Ewing just hit a tough fadeaway across the lane over Rodman as Chicago has gone to a small-ball lineup of Kerr, Harper, Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. Jordan got bailed out on a weak foul call on Oakley, though it was on the floor. Pippen missed a three before Ewing's big jumper. New York is on a 13-0 run in the last 5:36.
Fourth Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations
Chicago leads 92-91 with 36.9 seconds remaining. Chicago scores on three straight possessions, with the unlikeliest of combinations. Out of the timeout, Jackson inserts Wennington, who gets a dunk on a dribble drive assist from Rodman of all people. Ewing then hits another tough shot over Wennington. Chicago quickly scores as Jordan lobs to Pippen for a layup with 1:01 remaining. Ewing is called for a travel, and then Rodman finds Wennington off another dribble drive for an open baseline jumper. What a job by Wennington!
Fourth Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations, Part II
Chicago leads 92-91 with 18.8 seconds remaining. Ewing misses a tough baseline fadeaway over Salley, who was brought in the game for defensive purposes. Rodman secures the rebound and alertly calls timeout as he was falling out of bounds. What a heady play by the Worm.
Fourth Quarter, Under-1 Timeout Observations, Part III
Chicago leads 92-91 with 13 seconds remaining as Chicago takes a timeout. Pippen couldn't inbound the ball and called a timeout. Previously, Pippen inbounded from in front of the Bulls' bench, lobbing the ball into Jordan, who smartly hit the ball ahead to Harper, who found Kerr, who was fouled by Ewing. New York has one more foul to give. Chicago has 1 timeout left, the Knicks have none.
Final Score: Chicago Bulls 94, New York Knicks 91.
Chicago survives as Jordan hits two free throws. New York had a chance to tie the game but Starks traveled on the dribble handoff before hitting the three with 1.4 seconds left. Chicago gets the inbound to an open Wennington and the clock runs out. Jordan had just 2 points in the fourth quarter, both from the free throw line. Ewing did all he could to tie the series at two but Chicago leaves with a 3-1 series lead. Here is the box score.
Five Stars of the Game
1. Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks. Ewing was the best player on the floor, especially in the fourth quarter, finishing with 29 points and 10 rebounds, and hitting some tough shots to give the Knicks the lead.
2. Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls. Rodman had 19 rebounds on the game, 10 on the offensive glass, and dished out the two big assists to Wennington in the final two minutes. Rodman was a warrior in New York, playing 51 and 41 minutes. In large part to Rodman, Chicago won this game because of its board work. The Bulls outrebounded New York 46 to 28. Half of Chicago's boards were on the offensive glass, with Chicago having a 23-4 advantage rebounding missed shots.
3. Bill Wennington, Chicago Bulls. Despite only getting 7 minutes total, Wennington had a dunk and the game-winning baseline jumper with 38 seconds left. After doing a nice job in limited minutes all series, Wennington should have played more. As a whole, Chicago's bench was wonderful this game with Steve Kerr, Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, James Edwards and John Salley giving key minutes.
4. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls. With his aggression limited by five fouls, Jordan finished with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, maybe having his best all-around game of the playoffs despite only scoring 2 points in the fourth quarter. Jordan was o-for-6 from the field in the fourth quarter.
5. Ron Harper, Chicago Bulls. Harper had a quiet but big 18 points and 5 rebounds in 40 minutes.
2. Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls. Rodman had 19 rebounds on the game, 10 on the offensive glass, and dished out the two big assists to Wennington in the final two minutes. Rodman was a warrior in New York, playing 51 and 41 minutes. In large part to Rodman, Chicago won this game because of its board work. The Bulls outrebounded New York 46 to 28. Half of Chicago's boards were on the offensive glass, with Chicago having a 23-4 advantage rebounding missed shots.
3. Bill Wennington, Chicago Bulls. Despite only getting 7 minutes total, Wennington had a dunk and the game-winning baseline jumper with 38 seconds left. After doing a nice job in limited minutes all series, Wennington should have played more. As a whole, Chicago's bench was wonderful this game with Steve Kerr, Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, James Edwards and John Salley giving key minutes.
4. Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls. With his aggression limited by five fouls, Jordan finished with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, maybe having his best all-around game of the playoffs despite only scoring 2 points in the fourth quarter. Jordan was o-for-6 from the field in the fourth quarter.
5. Ron Harper, Chicago Bulls. Harper had a quiet but big 18 points and 5 rebounds in 40 minutes.
Duds of the Game
1. The officiating. I thought the refs were brutal for both teams. There were a lot of tight fouls, with New York getting back in the game at the line in the fourth quarter. Jordan and Rodman had 5 fouls each, and Longley fouled out. For New York, Ewing and Oakley had 5 fouls each. That was a strange game to see so many key players in foul trouble. New York was 28/34 from the line while Chicago was 22/29. New York shot 11 free throws in the fourth quarter while the Bulls had 4. The Bulls were up double digits early in the fourth quarter as the refs quickly got the Bulls in the penalty. Rodman picked up 3 immediate fouls at the start of the fourth quarter as did Longley in the third quarter. Jackson, Oakley, Longley and Rodman all received technicals. Ultimately, the refs had their undies in a bunch this game, coming in with a decision to call things way too tightly rather than letting the play dictate the game. If I was a Head Coach, I would have been fined after this game.
Highlights of Game Four
Here are the highlights of Game Four between the Bulls and Knicks.
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