Bulls vs. Pacers - Jordan 44pts, Pippen 40pts, Rodman 23rbds

The commentary wasn't in English and also the audio was really bad. I had to cut it out. Sorry about that.

February 18, 1996

One day after Jordan's 33rd birthday. Bulls were on a mission to be the first team to win 70+ games. They were visiting Indiana for the last of their three consecutive road games. Back in December 26th, Pacers had managed to beat them 103-97 in this arena and had snapped Bulls' 13-game winning streak. If the Bulls had not lost that day, they could have had a 32-game streak since they started a team-record 18-game string after that defeat.

With that game and a possible playoff matchup in mind, Jordan and company were determined to make a statement this time, and they did in amazing fashion.

Bulls won 110-102 and only the ninth time in NBA history, two teammates scored at least 40 points in a game.

The statlines were extraordinary.

Jordan: 44pts (16-29), 5rb, 7asts, 3stls, 2blks
Pippen: 40pts, (14-26), 10rbds, 2asts, 5 stls.
Rodman: 23rbds (7 offensive)

Here are some postgame notes and quotes

==========================


INDIANAPOLIS For the first time in the Bulls' 30-year history and the ninth time in the NBA's 50-year history, two teammates scored at least 40 points apiece in a game on Sunday.

"They are making a statement every game. They wouldn't be 46-5 if they didn't try to do it every game," Pacers coach Larry Brown said.

"That's what makes them different: They're so hungry to win every game. We're not like that."

A few minutes into the game, the Pacers took a 12-2 lead.

"They came out of the blocks quick, as we expected they would," Jordan said.

"But we knew it was a long game," Jordan said. "We kept our poise, and defensively we took them out of the things they wanted to do."

Down the stretch, Jordan and Pippen were completely dominating. Together, they scored 26 of the Bulls' 30 points in the third period and all of the Bulls' 27 points in the fourth.

In fact, the last non-Jordan-Pippen basket scored by the Bulls was Toni Kukoc's 11-foot jumper that raised the Bulls' lead to 73-68 with 2:57 left in the third. After that, Jordan and Pippen scored the Bulls' last 37 points.

"We were just in a zone," Pippen said. "Michael is the greatest scorer and Dennis is the greatest rebounder. We showed some dominance and just stepped up our games."

"That was the greatest tag-team match I've ever seen in pro basketball," Harper said. "The game was so good, I think the first thing I'll do when I get home is turn it on again and watch the video replay."

The last two teammates to score at least 40 points apiece in one game were Adrian Dantley and John Drew of the Utah Jazz vs. the Detroit Pistons on March 19, 1984.

"We had to send a message, and come in here ready to play, because they're trying to send a message," said Jordan of the possibility the two teams might meet in the playoffs. "All three of us earned our checks . . . I've never seen three guys play together who excel at three different types of things."

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• Pacers
• Bulls
• Rodman
• Pippen
• Magic
• Bird
• Kareem
• Wilt
• Lebron
• Wade
• Kobe
• Tmac
• Iverson

[masfargodg]

1:27 even the cameraman gets epicly owned by jordan's epic ball fake

[Loudmouf84]

this music is hilarious

[GalaxiaVLZ]

putiza les dieron 

[TheStringer71]

sounds like the music they use in a Tarantino movie...

[Effetier]

I watched this game live on tv that time and as being a Pippen fan, this is one of the greatest games ever ( not only for me as the Jordan/Pippen duo scored both over 40points). by the way: great music, tks

[EdwardKB24]

i hate the song haha

[robrodify]

best team ever! at dat time theres way more competition...

[robrodify]

best team ever!

[bolder2009]

@oliverrainman Well that's because he was the leader, but everyone knew that it was a TEAM.

[JosephRoux]

Best nba team ever, so much hustle.

[ISGarothh]

Holy shit, this is beautiful!

[austin78993]

this is a perfect example of the best trio in basketball history. all the super heroes playing to their strengths