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JORDAN'S HIT PARADE HERE ARE MICHAEL JORDAN'S 10 MOST MEMORABLE POSTSEASON PERFORMANCES
1 JUNE 11, 1997
BULLS 90, JAZZ 88
A virus-ravaged Jordan, who would be barely standing at game's
end, scores 15 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth quarter,
including a crucial three-pointer with 25 seconds left, as the
Bulls win Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
2 MAY 7, 1989
BULLS 101, CAVALIERS 100
In Chicago it's known as the Shot. With the Bulls trailing by a
point with three seconds left in the final game of a hard-fought
first-round series, Jordan, who would finish with 44 points for
the afternoon, takes an inbounds pass from Brad Sellers, spins
to the top of the key and hits a hanging, double-clutch, 18-foot
jumper over Craig Ehlo at the buzzer, stunning the 20,273 in
attendance at Richfield Coliseum.
3 APRIL 20, 1986
CELTICS 135, BULLS 131 (2 OTS)
In his second year in the league, Jordan pours in an NBA
playoff-record 63 points, including two foul shots that tie the
game with no time left in the first overtime. Despite Chicago's
loss in this second game of a first-round series that the Bulls
would lose, Jordan's masterpiece in Boston Garden is a
coming-out party for His Airness.
4 JUNE 16, 1993
BULLS 111, SUNS 105
Jordan pumps in 55 points as the Bulls win Game 4 of the Finals.
The crusher for Phoenix comes when, with 30 seconds remaining
and Chicago leading 106-105, Jordan scores on a drive through
the lane, draws a foul and hits the free throw. The Bulls go on
to win the series 4-2 for their third consecutive NBA title.
5 JUNE 3, 1992
BULLS 122, TRAIL BLAZERS 89
In Game 1 of the Finals, Jordan torches the Blazers for a
playoff-record 35 first-half points, including six
three-pointers. After one hoop, he looks toward the sideline,
turns his palms upward and shrugs, as if to say, What can I tell
you? He would finish with 39 points.
6 JUNE 5, 1991
BULLS 107, LAKERS 86
Jordan caps a 15-for-18, 33-point performance in Game 2 of the
Finals with an acrobatic masterpiece. Driving the lane, he
brandishes the ball with his right hand as if preparing to dunk.
However, while in midair, he suddenly switches hands and scoops
a shot in from the left side.
7 JUNE 1, 1997
BULLS 84, JAZZ 82
Jordan outshines regular-season MVP Karl Malone of Utah by
scoring 31 points--the most critical coming on a game-winning
18-foot jumper over forward Bryon Russell at the buzzer--as
Chicago rallies to win Game 1 of the Finals.
8 JUNE 2, 1993
BULLS 97, KNICKS 94
Still seething over criticism of his late-night gambling trip to
Atlantic City after an earlier game in this Eastern Conference
final series, Jordan gets his second career playoff
triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists as
Chicago wins Game 5. In the closing seconds, with the Bulls
leading 95-94, Jordan and teammates Scottie Pippen and Horace
Grant combine to block four straight layup attempts by New
York's 6'10" Charles Smith.
9 MAY 25, 1991
BULLS 113, PISTONS 107
En route to ending three years of frustration at the hands of
the despised Bad Boys, Jordan scores 14 of his game-high 33
points in the fourth quarter and, as the lone defender back,
thwarts a late-game Detroit fast break, helping Chicago take a
3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
10 MAY 17, 1993
BULLS 103, CAVALIERS 101
Four years after slaying Cleveland with the Shot, Jordan again
shoots down Cavs fans, this time with a last-second series
clincher over Cleveland's defensive specialist and
self-proclaimed Jordan stopper Gerald Wilkins in Game 4 of the
conference semis. This one is immortalized as the Shot II.
--MARTY BURNS
COLOR PHOTO: JOHN BIEVER Shaking off a virus and defender John Stockton, Jordan hit the three-pointer that won Game 5. [Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Bryon Russell and Scottie Pippen in game]
