Bulls vs. Knicks 1988-89. Jordan 37pts/9rbs

December 29, 1988

Bulls and Knicks also met in the playoffs later in the season and this game was kind of a warmup for that series.

Prior to this game (25 games), Jordan was averaging 35.4 points on an absurd 55.2% shooting. He comes out very aggresive for this game, has 4 dunks, one alleyoop, and numerous great drives and layups.

The game is also important because it's Pippen's only the second start in his Bulls career. With the help of some good fortune he manages to make the game-winning shot at the buzzer.

There were some minor video problems at the end of the game, but the replay for Pippen's shot was fine. (no Jordan basket or move is missed).

Post game notes & quotes:
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BULLS 108 KNICKS 106

Scottie Pippen's basket at the buzzer gave the Bulls a 108-106 victory over the New York Knicks last night in Chicago.

Jordan, who finished with 37 points, provided the oppportunity for Pippen to play hero when his layup with 44 seconds left tied the score at 106-106. Patrick Ewing, who gave the Knicks the lead 15 seconds earlier on a 3-point play, tried to put his team ahead again before Jordan's basket but missed an off-balance shot. Neither Charles Oakley nor Grant could control the rebound. The Bulls gained possession when the ball went out of bounds off Oakley.

Jordan had the first chance at the winner, driving through a defensive maze of Knicks for a twisting bank shot that rimmed out into Grant's hands.

"I got the ball and found (Patrick) Ewing right upon me," Grant said. "He bothered my shot and I got it up off balance. It bounced off the rim right toward Scottie."

''It was a sweet shot,'' said Pippen, who also had six rebounds. ''I was looking at the clock when Horace took the shot. There were two seconds left and I knew the ball was going to come out high."

"This is probably the most exciting winning shot I've ever made because this was a great, great game from start to finish. This game meant so much to us. And the shot I made was a dream shot, almost a once-in-a-lifetime shot."

Jordan was as relieved as anybody. The fate of the game did not rest totally upon his shoulders for a change.

The victory snapped the Bulls' two-game losing streak and left their record at 14-12. The Knicks are 18-9 and remain atop the Atlantic Division.

"This was justice served because the Knicks beat us at the buzzer just like this two years ago," Jordan said.

Rick Pitino was not around to see the Knicks suffer their second 2-point loss in three nights and fall to 6-8 on the road. With 7 minutes 56 seconds remaining, the Knicks' coach was ejected from the game by Ted Bernhardt, one of the 18 new officials hired when the league went to 3 referees this season. Bernhardt charged Pitino with two technical fouls about 10 seconds apart.

Craig Hodges converted the two foul shots to put the Bulls ahead, 94-92. Stu Jackson, Pitino's chief assistant, took over the team.

''The first technical foul was well deserved,'' admitted Pitino. ''The second wasn't. It was the ref's first year and it was a rookie mistake on his part.''
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For other Jordan games, check below.
http://www.youtube.com/user/hoopsencyclopedia

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• Bulls
• Knicks
• 1989
• Chicago
• New
• York
• Bird
• Kareem
• Wilt
• Lebron
• Wade
• Kobe
• Tmac
• Iverson

[jordanlover23]

esrefb, I've actually never seen another player make that specific type of steal (to snatch the ball out of the air on post entry passes), but Jordan did it once every other game or so. It takes tremendous anticipation and reflexes/quickness. Even when guys fake the pass several times, he doesn't bite and knows exactly when they're throwing it. Amazing.

[starks23]

I've never seen anybody do it either. Ok maybe once or so but certainly not this frequently. It was really common. In the last 10 videos, there are 3 of them. (this one, Lakers 16 assists, Blazers 53 pts.).

[blast2blast]

Junior dont be posting such an ignorant comment like that here. In '89 MJ averaged 8 assists per game, somethin neither Kobe nor Lebron ever achieved, but i guess u didnt know that huh?

[zopoundsakpase]

that cross over at the 6:17 mark was stupid it was so good,he looked like he had the ball on a string his dribbling skills are without reproach

[guellpark]

I miss such kind of really unmitigated NBA games today.

[getthacake]

look at ewings concentration on the line...players just dont take that much time at the line anymore

[pika62221]

As this game shows, it wasn't just during the 1970's, basketball shorts were still short in the 1980's!

[Velohart]

He doesn't need to average 8 assist throughout his career to prove anything to the kids these days. He has more faith in his skills than his team mates and when you even know what kind of team mates he had you'll understand why even Phil Jackson never impose play making duties to Jordan he'll rather give that responsibility to Pipen, even when he wasn't matured because to say Jordan was their main weapon, that itself is an understatement.

[Stunna30]

he is wear the Air Jordan 3

[SFFOOL76]

I always thought this 88-89 Knicks team was fun to watch. However the bulls kicked their ass in the playoffs.I personally thought it was one Jordan's best post season efforts, he singlehandedly almost got them to the NBA finals.

[kanto57]

I was wrong i do apologize. but with the soccer thing...i play football. how about u see me in that?

[TBlake34]

MJ had more assists in the '91 finals than Magic. Does that mean Magic was selfish?

[JCR1992]

jordan averaged 8 assists in 89

[alaskanmarine1]

Not to mention that towards the end of the 1989 season, Jordan was placed at the Point Guard spot, and had something like 10 straight triple doubles. He was also the only guard in History to have over a hundred blocks and over 200 steals, and he did it twice. There's more too, only player in league history to lead the league in scoring and steals and he did it three times. The list could go on for ages, but i'd run out of room.