1986 Boston Celtics vs 1996 Bulls - Jordan vs Bird. Eastern Conference Finals

[bulls96]

CHICAGO -- It's the Eastern COnference Finals and 2 of the greatest teams of all time battle.. the 1996 Chicago Bulls and the 1986 BOston Celtics.

Game link: https://youtu.be/EK64rGrPxp8

The Celtics frontcourt immediately showed out in the 1st quarter. Larry Bird hit his first 2 shots, including a 3 and assisted on a couple en route to an 8-point quarter while Kevin McHale also scored 8 inside. They dominated the offensive glass too with 4 leading to 2nd chance points. Scottie and Michael were not far behind with 10 each but the battle on the boards gave the Celtics a slim 29-27 lead.

In the 2nd quarter, Larry Bird erupted. He took advantage of mismatches when Pippen was sitting down and scored 13 pts in th period, as the Celtics led by as much as 15. The Bulls bench however, again provided a much needed spark, Steve Kerr netter 8 off the bench, including 2 3's, to keep the game from getting away completely. It was a 5-pt Celtic lead heading in to the break.

The 3rd quarter was the Scottie PIppen show. He literally turned into Michael Jordan (or Kevin Durant) In his best performance of the playoffs to date, Pippen got himself going early in the period with 2 early 3's and never looked back. He had a monster 3rdQ, scoring in all places of the court, netting 24 in the period alone to help the Bulls turn the game around and forge ahead by 6 heading into the 4th.

In the 4th quarter, it was the other half of the Dynamic Duo that put on a show. Jordan was unstoppable, scoring 17 pts in the quarter. When he got double -eamed he effectively kicked it out to Kerr and Kukoc who would combine for 9 off the bench here as the Bulls led by as much as a 16. The Celtics put together a run that had them within 8 pts with 1:23 to go. But the run was halted by a spectacular dunk by Jordan past Dennis Johnson and over Robert Parish. The Celtics did not recover and cut into the lead any further.

Bulls draw first blood and take Game 1, 118-110.

Jordan and Pippen showed why they are one of the greatest Duos ever. THey both score over 40, with Jordan scoring 42 and Pippen 41. Kukoc and Kerr combined for 26 pts as the Bulls bench continued to show their strength in this playoffs.

Larry Bird had a great all-around game with 37 pts 7 rebs 7 assts. He was followed by Kevin McHale with 22 pts 12 rebs, but McHale was largely quiet in the 2nd half as Jordan and Pippen took over.

[jd@os]

The 1986 Celtics are an underrated team by those who never saw them play. Good matchup.

[bulls96]

Here's a shorter video recap of Game 1. https://youtu.be/54k83K7r2_Y

Game 2 is coming on Saturday. It was a good one!

[bulls96]

BOSTON -- After drawing first blood in the series, the Bulls look to hold homecourt in Game 2. But can they solve the problem of the '86 Celtics Frontline?

Game link: https://youtu.be/IKXiGX84GMQ

The Celtics frontline continued their dominance in the 1st quarter of Game 2. The Trio of Bird, McHale, Parish combined for 18 of the team's 29 pts in the 1st Q as they were able to crash the offensive boards and go on the break. The Bulls were carried by Jordan once again, who found the rhythm early, netting 16 1st quarter pts to keep the game from getting out of hand. Celtics up by 7, 29-22 after one.

Larry Bird and the Celtics had a fast start in the 2nd, upping the lead to as much as 14, forcing Jordan to return earlier than usual from his usual 2ndQ rest. Jordan scored another 10 pts but it was the Bulls bench who provided the much needed lift for Chicago. Steve Kerr came off and hit 3/3 3-point shots, and the Bulls went on a 15-4 to tie the game heading into the half, 52-52.

In the 3rd period, Larry Bird rang up 8 straight points while facilitating the fastbreak and had the Celtics up by 8 with 4 mins left. The Bulls were able to get to within 1, until the Celtics bench led by Sichting and Wedman hit some key baskets, and McHale finished strong to give the Celtics a 6-pt lead going into the 4th, 77-71.

The Celtics Wedman and Sichting again hit first, giving the Celtics a 10 pt lead early on. Then Jordan went on a solo 7-0 run and assisted on a Kukoc lay-in that immediately cut the lead to 1 about 7 mins to go. Bird would then respond with a 3 and a hook shot in what was starting to be a duel between the 2 legends. Bird would get the better of MJ this time as he scores 11 and got Boston up by 10 with just over 3 mins to go. Jordan stayed relentless, driving and getting to the line while passing to open teammates. Still it was a 6-pt lead with just 1:30 left to go in the game. After a 3-pointer from Harper cut the lead to 3, Bird responded with a beautiful alley-oop layin that made it a 5-pt lead with 1:06 to go.

But Jordan refused to be outdone by Larry Legend. He starts with a post move layin vs Ainge that cut the lead to 3 with 55 secs left. Rodman and MJ stopped a McHale layin on the other end and on their next play, Jordan once again found the baseline on a spin and salmmed it in to cut the lead to 1 with 29.5 secs left.

Clinging to a 1-pt lead, Boston ran down the shot clock on their next possession. They give it to Larry Bird who came off the screen on the right side. Pippen, thru just sheer will and effort, was able to run over the screen and run over to Bird and block his shot and caught the ball too! He immediately calls timeout with 5.3 secs left.

One huge clutch play after another.

This next play is the biggest one. Jordan, had already scored 54 pts at that point, almost single-handedly put the Bulls back in the game, Now he has a chance to win it or lose it at the buzzer.

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[bulls96]

CHICAGO -- After a heart-breaking loss in Game 2 where they should've won, Bird and the Celtics look to get back in the series with a win in Game 3. But Home cooking was not all they needed. It needed more perseverance and will to win this game, will they be able to answer the call?

Game link: https://youtu.be/6PRz0Y4FvL0

The Bulls started the game, shooting poorly, and turning the ball over leading to a Celtics fastbreak. Boston was up as much as 6 early on. Both Jordan and Bird werent shooting the ball well, and got sat down, and the bench started to come in. This turned the tide for the Bulls as both TOni Kukoc and Steve Kerr were firing and connecting on their shots, shot 4/5 including 3 3-pointers that helped the Bulls grab a 1 -pt lead heading into the 2nd.

In the 2nd quarter. Jordan and Bird went at it early, with MJ getting the upper hand. Bulls were up by as much as 5. As they sat down, it was a supporting cast battle as they went back and forth, with Robert Parish dominating the paint and keeping the Bulls within reach. Pippen finished strong, scoring 9 and the Bulls maintined a 4-pt lead at the half 46-42

It was a strong start for MJ and the Bulls as they were able to lead by as much as 8, after a spectacular and-1 by Jordan off of McHale midway the period. THen Bird sparked a rally, higlighted by a breakaway slam from Bird after a steal by McHale that cut the lead to just 2. Jordan, however, continued his attacks, while Kukoc came off the bench and scored 6 late, helping the Bulls maintain a 6 pt lead goipng into the 4th.

Sensing th game and the series slipping away, Larry Bird put on his cape and started the 4thQ on a mission. He was aggressive with the ball, and pushed the Celtics into transition to help the Celtics climb back into this game. He scored 13 pts in the first 6 mins of the period, higlighted by a 3-pointer that game the Celtics the lead with over 5 mins remaining. It remained close as neither team could forge ahead. It was a tied game, after DJ made 2 FT's, with 22 secs to go.

22 secs. Bulls ball. Jordan just hit a gamewinner in Game 2. Can he do it again here in Game 3 with the game tied?

Jordan ran down the clock, made his move against Dennis Johnson, and after a good crossover to free himself up, shot a jumper at the top of the key as time expired. It rolls out!

We go to Overtime!


Bulls and Celtics conitnued their tight battle in OT, but Jordan would be able to hit 2 late jumpers to give Chicago a 5-pt lead with 43 remaining. On the Celtics next possession, Bird drives and shoots a teardrop that misses. But Parish was there for the offensive rebound and putback slam to cut the lead to 2 with 37 secs remaining. On the next possession, the Bulls run down the shotclock then give it to MJ. He shoots a fadeaway vs DJ and misses! still a 3-pt lead with 11 secs remaining.

One last chance for the Celtics to tie the game and force a 2nd OT. On their play, a Bulls mixup on defense led to an open Danny Ainge who would shoot a wide open 3 at the shoulder. BUT HE MISSES! BUT ROBERT PARISH WAS AGAIN THERE FOR THE OFFENSIVE REBOUND! Ball quickly goes around and finds Bird open for a 3 at the left shoulder. HE MAKES IT! TIED GAME with 1.5 secs left.

MJ misses another last second shot and we go to a second OT!

The second OT started much like the first one. Close, but this time, it was the Celtics who forged ahead by 3 with just 36.2 remaining. It was Bulls ball, and they ran a perfect play that found Steve Kerr open for a 3 at the left shoulder. He makes it and ties the game once again with 22.5 secs remaining.

Tied game, and Boston had the ball. It was Larry Bird's turn to be the hero.

Larry Bird finished with 43 pts 8 rebs 4 assts 2 stls. DJ had 16 pts. Parish and McHale were monsters again, finishing with 14 pts 14 rebs and 13 pts 18 rebs, respecitvely.

Jordan finished with 41 pts 6 rebs 10 assts. Kukoc had 21, Pippen and Kerr with 18 a piece. Rodman grabbed a monster 26 rebounds, but not enough to topple the Celtics big

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[bulls96]

BOSTON -- After a tremendous win in 2OT in Game 3, the Celtics look to build on their momentum and tie the series. Can Larry Bird deliver again for Boston?1

Game Link: https://youtu.be/iRA_ZIX69pE

The first half was all about the Bulls bench. They showed they were super to Boston's, led by Steve Kerr who would have 14 1st half points including 4/5 from 3. Bulls led by 10 after the 1st and by 9 at Halftime.

The Bulls cooled down significantly in the 3rd, shooting just 25% as the Celtics were able to cut down the lead to 5 heaifng into the 4thQ.

Bird showed out in the fourth quarter, scoring 14, but it was his hustle and play in the final 3 minutes of the game that was the key. Jordan continued to shoot poorly going 4/12 into the fourth, opening up the stage for Bird to lead the Celtics back in the game. They were down 1 with 29 secs to go and Boston had the ball. Bird would shoot a 3 with 8 secs to go but MISSES. But Parish grabbed the offensive Rebound and ball found it's way back to Bird's hand who would shoot another 3. This time he would not miss and he gives Boston a 2 pt lead with 2.2 secs left.

Jordan had a chance to tie the game but his attempt at the buzzer rolled out. Celtics escape and win it, tying the series 2-2, heading back to Chicago.

Bird finished with 26 pts and 6 rebs 3 stls.. Parish and McHale again combined for 30 rebounds.

Jordan had 36 pts on 12/35 shooting.

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[bulls96]

CHICAGO -- Series tied at 2-2. Crucial Game 5 for both teams. Who can come out on top?

Watch the game here: https://youtu.be/FGN_iwlqPJQ

Spoilers ahead..

Larry Bird had a fast start in the first quarter, making his first 3 shots, while Jordan struggled to find a rhythm. DEspite just shooting 4/12 in the period, MJ was able to draw fould and go to the line to still score 11 pts. Kukoc then came off the bench to give the Bulls an extra lift, giving them a 1 pt lead after 1 quarter.

The second quarter saw Boston pounding it in to Robert Parish who would respond in a big way and score 13 pts to help the Celtics grab a 5 pt lead at the half, 46-41.

The 3rd quarter again saw a quick start from Bird who would have 8 in the period, and Boston was up by as much as 6. But it was again the Bulls bench that made a difference, with Kukoc and Kerr combining for 9 in the 3rd, including 3/4 from 3pt range to help the Bulls take a slim 1pt lead heading into the final quarter.

The game remained tight in the 4th. But it was Chicago who was ahead for most of the period, but not by any safe margin. It was a tied game with 1 minute to go, and the Celtics finally grabbed the lead on a follow up from RObert Parish who has been huge the entire game. It was a still a 2 pt lead for the Celtics with 36 secs left with the ball with the Bulls.

Jordan who has not been shooting particularly well all game, still came up with the biggest play of the night... a 3pt play against Parish with 29 secs left. On the next p[ossession, Bird trued to do a 2-for-1 but his floater rattled out with 23 secs to go. Harper was fouled immediately, and he sank 2 FT's calmly to up the lead to 3. Bord would cut it back to 1 with a layup with 11 secs left. But Jordan would get fouled and he would sink his 2Ft's thru. Ainge shot a 3 pt shot with 3 secs left and missed and that would be enough to secure the win for Jordan and the Bulls.

Jordan finished with 36 pts 3rebs 4 assts 2 stlson 12/33 shooting. Kukoc and Kerr were huge again off th ebench, combining for 32 pts.

Bird finished with 34 pts, 13 in the 4th. Parish had 21 pts 9 rebs.


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[bulls96]

Recap of Game 5 is out ahead of Saturday's Game 6.

https://youtu.be/fvrD2HIgcxk

Jordan finished with 36 pts 3rebs 4 assts 2 stlson 12/33 shooting. Kukoc and Kerr were huge again off th ebench, combining for 32 pts.

Bird finished with 34 pts, 13 in the 4th. Parish had 21 pts 9 rebs.