Chicago Bulls - Detroit Pistons | 1991 Playoffs | ECF Game 1: The statement game

Before a deafening crowd of 18,676 fans at Chicago Stadium, the Bulls defeated the Pistons, 94-83, in the opening game of the four-of-seven-game Eastern Conference championship series.

Jordan, whose election as the league's most valuable player will be announced Monday, was held to 22 points, 9 points below his playoff average, on 6-for-15 shooting along with three boards, three steals and six assists.

But Jordan's teammates stepped forward -- the Bulls' bench combined for 30 points and starters Scottie Pippen (18 points), Bill Cartwright (16 points) and Horace Grant (10 rebounds) stood up to Detroit's physical play, holding off the Pistons whenever they threatened to take control.

"I had a bad game, but we still won," Jordan said afterward. "I think that shows the maturity of our team. I think this shows them that we've got a team, instead of a one-man situation."

Today's game set the tone for the remainder of the series. There was very little open-court play, and there were very few scintillating offensive moves. This series will be physical. Bodies will fly. Tempers will flare. Skin will bleed. Character will be tested.

There were times away from the ball when the action resembled a rugby scrum. Players shoved, held and did whatever else they felt they could get away with.

"It's a different style of ball when you play us," said Mark Aguirre, who led the Pistons with 25 points. "They're not going to be able to play us like Philly, where they got a lot of running and dunks for scores."

During the first half, Jordan exchanged angry words with both Mark Aguirre and Dennis Rodman. Jordan's confrontation with Rodman occurred after Rodman fouled Jordan away from the ball, trailing the play.

A major part of the Pistons' game plan is to keep a body on Jordan at all times, bumping him, shoving him, trying to wear him down. But today, Jordan reacted angrily, shoving Rodman, then screaming in his face. Jordan's message was clear. No matter what tactics the Pistons try, he will not be intimidated.

"We cannot let them intimidate us with the little cheap stuff," Jordan said. "We're not going to let that happen. We're not going to take any junk from anybody."

Yet the Pistons made the game competitive, despite the fact they had numerous factors working against them. Detroit ended a grueling six-game series against the Boston Celtics on Friday, whereas the Bulls had not played since Tuesday.

But the sizzling shooting of Aguirre (9-for-16) and Vinnie Johnson (21 points, 10-for-19) brought the Pistons back from a 10-point deficit with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.

Capping a 15-4 run, James Edwards hit a 10-foot jump shot to give the Pistons their first lead of the second half, 54-53, with 4 minutes 57 seconds left in the third quarter.

"We don't make excuses," Johnson said, with typical Piston swagger. "We're champions back-to-back. I'm not saying we're fatigued. I played great. If some guys seemed tired, you should go talk to them."

Tired or not, the Pistons couldn't contain the Bulls once they caught them. Jordan was held scoreless in third quarter, yet Chicago held together well enough to take a 68-65 lead into the final 12 minutes. Then during the first five and a half minutes of the fourth quarter, with Jordan and Pippen on the bench, the Bulls extended their lead to 9 points, 81-72. Detroit never got close than 7 points thereafter.

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[jhovaj]

You can say that the pistons made Jordan better. The "Jordan Rules" made Michael Jordan use his teammates more, pass more. It also made Pippen better, he became more mature and more focused. The rest of the Bulls were inspired to play better they gained the confedence to win.

[ancientsymbol]

As much as I always despised the Pistons they were the obstacle that forced MJ to bring his teammates into the game. Those years were so much damn fun.

[dtown32figgas]

...from a Huge Pistons Fan...they went HARD in this era.

This was a battle.

Mike & Scottie had a personal block party at the 6:09 mark...at Mark Aquire's expense.

Damn, Homie.

[Mikhailisrafeel23]

this bulls team are warriors!!!! can any team today can beat this bulls? any team? really? what a game!!!!

[moneyman237952]

basketball at its finest

[TBlake34]

@WatchVenusSpa That team beat Kareem and Magic, ended the Celtics dominance, and held MJ back for 3 years (not MJ personally, but kept his team from winning).

If Shaq played this team with the rules in the 00's, maybe Shaq has the advantage. Put them in the 80's and Shaq gets swarmed, brutalized, and misses 25 free throws a game.

[WatchVenusSpa]

That Pistons team would have been CURBSTOMPED by Shaq in his prime.

[KingYoungRouse21]

LMAO at 6:18 Aguirre pushes Pippen back down right in front of the referee. Gotta love 90s basketball

[fuckswithu]

"if you had james, kobe, wade, and gasol ON the same team jordan will still destroy them"....whoever wrote that shit need to kill they fucking selves....I mean jordan was great but he aint super dam man.....you people need to realize, these guys are not that bad....ole school was great, but these new school guys are good too.........

[wilzusuki]

jordan is da greatest lider on nba history