Flashback #32: Bulls Win 1997 NBA Finals (1997)

As of 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary on January 3rd, the station has begun to reveal (in chronological order) the Top 100 Chicago Sports Stories that have occurred since they first went on the air 20 years ago. Once all 100 of these "flashbacks" have been revealed, fans will be able to vote for which stories they believe are the most significant in the 20 year history of The Score. To see all of the Flashbacks that The Score has posted so far, please visit 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary page.

June 13, 1997 - Bulls win 1997 NBA Finals

Four NBA championship rings in six seasons just wasn't enough for Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson.

The trio was hungry for more, and after defeating the Miami Heat  in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bulls had their chance at a fifth ring.

Jordan led the Bulls to a 69-13 regular-season record, earning home court advantage in the NBA Finals.

Their opponent, the Utah Jazz, led by John Stockton and Karl Malone, posted a franchise-best 64–18 record during the regular season, ultimately earning the franchise's first-ever NBA Finals appearance.

This six-game series featured six eventual Hall of Fame players in Jordan, Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Stockton, Malone and Robert Parish.

The series tipped off in Chicago for Game 1. Despite a minor foot injury suffered in the Eastern Conference Finals, Pippen posted 27 points as the Bulls won, 84-82.

With 35.8 seconds to play and the Bulls down by one, Jordan made 1-of-2 free throws to tie it at 82. Next, Malone was fouled by Rodman with 9.2 seconds left and had a chance to give Utah the lead. Malone missed both both free throws, breathing life back into the Bulls.

Jordan got the rebound and quickly called a time-out with 7.5 seconds left.  After the time out, the ball went to Jordan, who dribbled out most of the waning seconds, then sunk a 20-footer at the buzzer to give the Bulls a 1-0 series lead.

The Bulls dominated Game 2 in Chicago behind 38 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists from none other than Jordan.

With a firm 2-0 series lead, the series shifted to Utah.

Despite 27 points from Pippen, the Bulls dropped Game 3 104-93. Malone led the Jazz in the first-ever NBA Finals game played in Utah with 37 points and 10 rebounds.

In Game 4, the Jazz tied the series at 2-2 behind Malone's second-straight double-double. He scored 23 points and had 10 rebounds in Utah's 78-73 win.

With the series tied at 2-2, Bulls fans got the news they didn't want to hear -- Jordan was sick with the flu and it was uncertain whether or not he would play in the pivotal Game 5.

Jordan was examined by team doctors during an off-day before Game 5 and was told it would be nearly impossible for him to play. That wasn't stopping Jordan, though.

The eventual MVP of the Finals slept until 3pm on game day, arriving at the Delta Center just a few hours before tip-off.

Flu or not, Jordan hit a 3-pointer to give the Bulls an 88-85 lead with 25 seconds remaining in the game. The Bulls would eventually win 90-88 behind 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block from an extremely ill Jordan.

After the game, Jordan collapsed into Pippen's arms as he was barely well enough to walk off the court.

The series came back to Chicago for Game 6 where Jordan scored 39 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Bulls won, 90-86, taking their fifth title in seven seasons. Jordan also won his fifth NBA Finals MVP award.

The Score will continue to release a new Flashback each weekday until they reach 100. Check back tomorrow for a new one, or check out all of the previous Flashbacks: 670 The Score's 20th Anniversary »