Michael Jordan 1988 Playoffs: Game 1 Vs. Cavaliers, 50 pts.

Quick trivia question: How many players have scored back-to-back 50pt games in the playoffs? The answer: Only Michael Jordan. He did it here in this series against the Cavaliers in 1988 in Games 1 and 2. This is Game 1 here and I will put up Game 2 next where MJ gets 55. (Actually I'm going to put up Games 3,4 and 5 after that).

The Cavs were peaking with the Bulls during these years and they were their first rivals. MJ of course was the reason why they never made it all the way. History also blames him for destroying the entire franchise with the famous "Shot" game the very next year. But in Game 1 here, MJ went for 50 on 19-35 shooting without a three pointer needed. With a smooth game with great control, MJ mixed a variety of jumpers with creative, finesse drives. We also see the stop-and-pop jumper that is pretty much extinct in today's game. MJ didn't even need to pull out the fadeaway here.

Aside from the back-to-back 50+pts MJ produced in this superb series, he set a few additional NBA records. MJ scored the most points in a 5 game series with 226 and the highest average for a 5 game series with 45.2ppg. But, it's the back-to-back 50+ in the real season that was singular in NBA history. Well, MJ almost did it two years earlier when he went for 49 and 63 in Games 1 and 2 against the Champion Celtics, but we'll forgive him for that.

Near the end of this game, MJ suffers from what appears to be a devastating knee injury and collapses to the ground for 10 minutes. But, he gets up and finishes the game not with a cop-out jumper, but with a drive and mind-blowing move in typical Jordanesque fashion for the victory.

Look out for Game 2 from The Master next. And then Games 3,4 and 5 in this record breaking series will follow.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Michael
• Jordan
• Lebron
• James
• Bulls
• Cavaliers
• Dwyane
• Wade
• Kobe
• Bryant
• Shaq
• AI
• Iverson
• Tmac
• Vince
• Carter
• Lakers
• Magic
• NBA

[stu22aus]

OMG white guys used to play in the NBA???

[hoopsencyclopedia]

Actually, I think more whites are in the NBA now due to the Europeans.

[robinho1979]

It's a no brainer MJ is more athletic then Kobe!

[char4ever]

wow at that one handed rebound.

[Screamingpepole]

weres scottie

[wilzusuki]

i wish this jordan on nba jaam onfire edition fuck the creator

[mickeyelsalsero]

Nope....bulls started wearing black shoes in the 89 playoffs

[RAV52]

The entire game of basketball held its collective breath when Jordan stayed down after Ehlo's foul... Poor Larry Nance looks like he's asking himself "WTF???" after Jordan's last drive to the hoop for the And 1...LOL

[drwood04]

@uberathlete

You're the greatest basketball player of all time, that's how.

[dogeban]

@Jmill32 yeap..black shoes came in 1991 playoffs

[zman291977]

Ehlo never had a chance against MJ!

[uberathlete]

How the fck do you lead the league in scoring AND steals AND should over 50%. I mean, really.

[chitownref]

@chiladin Just curious here but who gives a shit about who is more athletic? Being a better BASKETBALL player is different than being a better athlete and I'll take a better player anyday. Nobody would ever call Larry Bird a physical speciman but I'll take him over Lebricks athleticism anyday of the week! Lebron may be a much better athlete but not close to Jordan as a basketball player, Give me Larry Bird or Dr J anyday at small forward. You guys can keep that better athlete crap.

[chiladin]

Jordan was the greatest basketball player ever and arguably the greatest athlete ever but ur exageratting.Jordan was NO WHERE near Usain Bolts speed.Iverson and Rose are certainly faster. He was more athletic than Ali, Armstrong,Woods and Gretzky and no way is Jordan a better athlete than Lebron. Will Lebron achieve Jordans greatness? Prolly not but he is the greatest athlete the NBA has ever seen simply by his combo of hops, speed, quickness and one thing Jordan can't match...his power!