Chicago Bulls - Detroit Pistons | 1991 Playoffs | ECF Game 2: Jordan MVP, leads the way with 35 pts

The Detroit Pistons are used to frustrating other teams with their defense. Now the Chicago Bulls are doing it to them.

The Pistons are used to establishing early momentum in a playoff series. Now the Bulls have done it to them.

Chicago took another step toward reaching the National Basketball Association championship series with tonight's 105-97 victory over Detroit at Chicago Stadium. The Bulls lead the four-of-seven-game series, 2-0, with Game 3 to be played Saturday afternoon in Auburn Hills, Mich.

After the beating they suffered tonight, the Pistons look as if they can use three days' rest. Chicago's tenacious defense harassed the Pistons into turnovers, forced them to take bad shots, and made most trips downcourt about as pleasant as a trip to the dentist.

No NBA team has won a four-of-seven-game series after falling behind, 2-0, since 1977. But to avoid being dethroned as two-time champions, that is exactly what the Pistons must do.

"They took us out of our offense and dominated in every phase," said Pistons Coach Chuck Daly. "Right now, they look hungrier than we are. I was surprised the score ended up that close because they dominated."

Michael Jordan (35 points on 10-for-18 shooting, 7 assists) and Scottie Pippen (21 points, 6-for-15 from the field, 10 rebounds) led a balanced Bulls attack. Jordan scored 27 points in the second half, but his teammates set the tone early by making Detroit pay for double-teaming Jordan.

Nothing worked for Daly. He started Tree Rollins at forward in the third quarter, replacing James Edwards, who had 1 point and 1 rebound in the first half. Edwards has been bothered by a sore ankle he twisted in Game 1, and his poor statistics reflected his physical difficulties. But losing Edwards further hindered Detroit's offense.

Daly tried using a three-guard offense in the fourth quarter featuring Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Vinnie Johnson. But that didn't work either. The Bulls took a 76-61 lead into the fourth quarter, and despite a late flurry in the closing 5 minutes, the Pistons never got closer than 6 points the rest of the game.

"This feels good," Jordan said. "We did what we had to do at home, and now we've put them in a tough position. With each win, we become more confident. We're confident we can beat this team."

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[ChiSox2386]

lol kobe and lebron can try as hard as they want, but they will NEVER be on the same level as michael jordan

[moonoink]

back when men played in the NBA

[dkthg]

@highflyer1985 Acyually, I'M MJ's biggest fan. I've had my clit surgically altered to look like Jordan's face. I also have a couple of signed jerseys.

[gilgamesurukaslani]

look how mj runs at 3:59; incredible...

[wilzusuki]

i love the short shorts the long new short look like a dress

[Dkouts57]

5:11

They dont allow that defense today or int he past 10 years!

and they tell me how much better this league is when Jerry Stackhouse can avg 28 a game and Gilbert Arenas is a scoring machine?

[highflyer1985]

@francoisgrenier actually I disagree with both of you, I am MJ's biggest fan, I remember damn everything on Jordan from the shoes, to looney tunes, the Jam video with Michael Jackson, McDonalds, the clothing, golf, Hanes, Gatorade, cars, starting lineups figures, the dream team, the restaurant in NC, ProStars with Bo Jackson and Wayne Gretzky, the best selling videos and the books and Rayovac (I still use those b/c of him). Sorry but I'm claiming the title of MJ's biggest fan.

[ALone970]

Does anyone know if there is a dvd version of old final series for sale? Thanks.

[francoisgrenier]

@ChiSox2386 actually, im mj's biggest fan, but i have to say that kobe went closer to anybody to acheive mjs standard. but he'll never be the cultural phenomenon that mj was, which changed the way we see sports today.

from the shoes, to looney tunes, videos with michael jackson, mcdonalds with larry bird, the clothing, his talent at golf, rayovac batteries, hanes underwear, the cars he drove, gatorade, wheaties. also, honorable mention for not getting into trouble with ladies, like kobe , woods.

[kenelyn1000]

what a physical game!!!

[scorpionJB]

@ilovegod300 you're right, that Houston Rocket team, especially the team that repeated would have been a tough opponent even if michael jordan would have been playing, w/Hakeem playing at such a high level, a matchup between the two teams would have went 7 games and home court would have played a major role in the outcome.....great points about Derek harper/Jeff Hornacek....I think Hornacek would have been more potent because he could create his own shot, and automatic from the free throw line