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by: Chris Maynard
([email protected])
([email protected])
With a week off before the 30th anniversary of Game One of the 1996 NBA Finals, let's return to recapping the Chicago Bulls' historic 72-10 regular season.
Here are the recaps for:
After 40 games, Chicago was an incredible 37-3, having won 14 games in a row, going undefeated during the month of January (11-0), and last losing the day after Christmas, at Indiana on December 26, 1995.
The Bulls would really slip up during the next 10 games, having the audacity to lose two games in a row, at the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, February 4, 1996, and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, February 6, 1996. Oh, the nerve of this team. All kidding aside, Chicago played six straight road games heading into the All-Star break, going 4-2 during that time, and had 8 out of 10 games away from the United Center during this stretch.
This was a memorable stretch of games, with Chicago getting a season sweep of the defending champion Houston Rockets with a 98-87 road victory on Tuesday, January 30, 1996. The Bulls would then win three nights later at the Los Angeles Lakers during a memorable game against Magic Johnson, who had just come out of retirement. I remember having to go to the wake of my Grandfather's brother this Friday of the Lakers game. After attending the services, my family went out to dinner. I was so pumped up about this game, talking about it with my uncles. The Bulls would handle the Lakers and Johnson, who was playing power forward and matched up against Dennis Rodman.
Here are the recaps for:
After 40 games, Chicago was an incredible 37-3, having won 14 games in a row, going undefeated during the month of January (11-0), and last losing the day after Christmas, at Indiana on December 26, 1995.
The Bulls would really slip up during the next 10 games, having the audacity to lose two games in a row, at the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, February 4, 1996, and the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, February 6, 1996. Oh, the nerve of this team. All kidding aside, Chicago played six straight road games heading into the All-Star break, going 4-2 during that time, and had 8 out of 10 games away from the United Center during this stretch.
This was a memorable stretch of games, with Chicago getting a season sweep of the defending champion Houston Rockets with a 98-87 road victory on Tuesday, January 30, 1996. The Bulls would then win three nights later at the Los Angeles Lakers during a memorable game against Magic Johnson, who had just come out of retirement. I remember having to go to the wake of my Grandfather's brother this Friday of the Lakers game. After attending the services, my family went out to dinner. I was so pumped up about this game, talking about it with my uncles. The Bulls would handle the Lakers and Johnson, who was playing power forward and matched up against Dennis Rodman.
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Two nights later, the Bulls would see their 18-game winning streak snapped during a Sunday night game in Denver. This game might be one of my greatest memories of the entire season as it was broadcast on WGN Channel 9 in Chicago. I remember watching this game with my Dad, shocked as the Bulls got down 25 points at halftime. Trailing 68-43, the Bulls stormed back during the third quarter, outscoring Denver 39-17. My Dad and I were literally screaming in our living room, amazed the Bulls were able to get right back in the game. I am pretty sure the Bulls tied the game and might have taken the lead very briefly. The Bulls would ultimately run out of gas and lose by six points, though the comeback felt like a victory. For eighth grade me, I had never seen a team rally so quickly from such a big deficit.
Two nights later, the Bulls would lose to Charles Barkley and the Suns in Phoenix. I have no recollection of this game as it was on cable television during the week. The next night, Chicago would win at Golden State, to finish 42-5 heading into the All-Star break.
Two nights later, the Bulls would lose to Charles Barkley and the Suns in Phoenix. I have no recollection of this game as it was on cable television during the week. The next night, Chicago would win at Golden State, to finish 42-5 heading into the All-Star break.
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The 1996 NBA All Star Game took place on Sunday, February 11, 1996 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Jordan and Pippen would start alongside Orlando's Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway and Detroit's Grant Hill. During his first All-Star game back since returning from his retirement, Jordan scored 20 points and was named All-Star Game MVP, much to the chagrin of O'Neal, a San Antonio native who led the East with 25 points. I remember O'Neal being very unhappy that he didn't win the award, with Jordan saying something to the effect that "Shaq may have the car while I will keep the trophy." By the way, I absolutely love the uniforms for this All-Star Game, with the East's teal/turquoise (?) jerseys really popping off the television screen.
Following Jordan winning his second of three All-Star Game MVPs, Chicago would win its first three games, with the toughest victory being a 112-109 triumph at Detroit in overtime on Thursday, February 15, 1996. During this stretch of games, Chicago had three sets of back-to-back games, going 5-1, which was quite impressive for the oldest team in the league. There was no such thing as load management back then. As another reminder why Jordan is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), he played all 82 games during the three full seasons he returned to the Bulls! By the way, Jordan was 32, 33 and 34 years old then!
Following Jordan winning his second of three All-Star Game MVPs, Chicago would win its first three games, with the toughest victory being a 112-109 triumph at Detroit in overtime on Thursday, February 15, 1996. During this stretch of games, Chicago had three sets of back-to-back games, going 5-1, which was quite impressive for the oldest team in the league. There was no such thing as load management back then. As another reminder why Jordan is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), he played all 82 games during the three full seasons he returned to the Bulls! By the way, Jordan was 32, 33 and 34 years old then!
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I have scoured YouTube for Games 41-50 for the Bulls during the 1995-96 season, with the only full game missing being the February 7th game at Golden State, which pitted Chicago against its former teammate B.J. Armstrong.
Make the jump to view Games 41-50 and link to the box scores as Chicago proves to be road warriors during this stretch of the 1995-96 season.
Make the jump to view Games 41-50 and link to the box scores as Chicago proves to be road warriors during this stretch of the 1995-96 season.
Game 41: Sunday, January 28, 1996
Chicago Bulls 93, Phoenix Suns 82
Record: 38-3
Game 42: Tuesday, January 30, 1996
Chicago Bulls 98, Houston Rockets 87
Record: 39-3
Game 43: Thursday, February 1, 1996
Chicago Bulls 105, Sacramento Kings 85
Record: 40-3
Game 44: Friday, February 2, 1996
Chicago Bulls 99, Los Angeles Lakers 84
Record: 41-3
Game 45: Sunday, February 4, 1996
Denver Nuggets 105, Chicago Bulls 99
Record: 41-4
Game 46: Tuesday, February 6, 1996
Phoenix Suns 106, Chicago Bulls 96
Record: 41-5
Game 47: Wednesday, February 7, 1996
Chicago Bulls 99, Golden State Warriors 95
Record: 42-5
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