Jordan Shows Atlanta How It's Done

March 28, 1998 / 1:20 AM EST / CBS/AP

The largest crowd in NBA history included 8,000 people who couldn't even see the court. Too bad. They missed quite a show by Michael Jordan.

Making what might have been his final appearance in Atlanta, Jordan scored 34 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to their eighth straight victory, an 89-74 rout of the Atlanta Hawks before 62,046 at the Georgia Dome.

"The fans here have given me a lot of respect," said Jordan, who hasn't revealed whether he'll return next season. "I'll always treasure that."

Jordan wowed the record crowd at the offensive end, combined with Toni Kukoc to shut down Steve Smith at the defensive end and finished things off by making a left-handed free throw when the game was already decided.

Scottie Pippen didn't play because of the flu, but Scott Burrell backed up Jordan with 18 points, only his seventh double-figure performance of the season.

The turnout broke the previous NBA record of 61,983, set Jan. 29, 1988, for a game between Boston and Detroit at the Pontiac Silverdome.

The Hawks drew the sixth-largest crowd in NBA history, 45,790, for a November game against the Bulls and managed to set a new record by putting 8,000 tickets on sale this week even though they offered no view of the court in the domed football stadium. Fans were forced to watch on two large video screens at each end of the arena.

Revenue from the $5 no-view tickets will be donated to victims of a deadly tornado which struck north of Atlanta last week.

"It was exciting playing in front of such a large crowd," said Smith, who had only 11 points. "But it was unfortunate for us that we had to have one out all-time low games. It was a good crowd. We don't get 60,000 every night."

The Bulls led only 47-44 at halftime but pulled away over the final two quarters by holding Atlanta to 39 percent shooting from the field. The Hawks had their lowest-scoring game of the season.

As usual, Jordan ignited the Bulls. With 7:15 left in the third quarter, he drove under the basket and flipped in a shot over his head despite a foul by Atlanta's shot-blocking center Dikembe Mutombo. A smiling Dennis Rodman wagged his finger Mutombo's trademark move and Jordan finished off the three-point play with a foul shot to give the Bulls a 56-50 lead.

Chicago stretched the margin to 67-58 by the end of the period and dominated the last 12 minutes. Again, it was Jordan who gave the crowd its biggest thrill with a crossover dribble that left Smith befuddled along the sideline while the Bulls guard broke into the clear for a dunk.

"I have good memories of playing in Atlanta," Jordan said, a North Carolina native. "It's the South. It's close to home. I had good memories of playing college ball here."

Coach Phil Jacksn, knowing most of the fans came to see Jordan, left him in the game to the end. Jordan flipped in a left-handed free throw with 1:29 remaining for Chicago's final point.

"Tex (Winter) and (Frank) Hamblen said I should try it in a game," Jordan said, referring to two of the Bulls assistant coaches. "I finally had the opportunity to do that."

Burrell hit 7-of-11 shots from the field, including three from outside the 3-point arc.

"I knew I had to be more aggressive with Scottie out," Burrell said. "I wanted to pick up the slack."

Smith, leading the Hawks with 20.3 points per game, was held in single figures until he hit a meaningless 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining.

"I was disappointed with how we played in the second half," coach Lenny Wilkens said. "We have some great fans here. We have to show them that we're deserving."

Christian Laettner led the Hawks with 13.

Notes: Jordan moved into seventh place on the NBA career list for most free throws. He made 8-of-12 at the line to give him 6,714 for his career, moving past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 6,712. ... The Bulls have won five straight road games and improved their record to 23-14 in back-to-back games after their victory Thursday night in Orlando. ... Chicago won the season series with Atlanta 3-1 for the second year in

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