Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning elbowed Scottie Pippen that fueled Michael Jordan in leading the Chicago Bulls to victory in 1997 Eastern Conference finals
It's not that he needed to look far when the Bulls played the Miami Heat in the 1997 Eastern Conference finals but Jordan found it courtesy of Heat center Alonzo Mourning. After grabbing a 3-0 lead in the series, the Bulls lost 87-80 in a physical Game 4.
The highlight was Mourning elbowing Bulls forward Scottie Pippen so hard it left a huge knot on his forehead. "Alonzo Mourning was doing a lot of talking during the entire series," Bulls guard Steve Kerr said in the team's postseason video. "And when he elbowed Scottie and Scottie got that bump on his head, I think Michael kind of took it personally."That was all it took to light a fire under Jordan. Now, it was personal.
"I think that set Michael off," Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. "So he came back into practice after that weekend on Tuesday, he said, `Guys, this one is a personal test. When we come out there today, I want this game to be a grudge match."' In Game 5, Jordan had 28 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead the Bulls to a 100-87 victory in the series-clincher. As for Mourning, he was shut down by Bulls forward Dennis Rodman. Mourning finished with just 13 points on 1 of 4 shooting, with most of his scoring coming at the foul line.Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Back In The Day NBA. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scottie Scheffler Finishes Tied for 2nd at Charles Schwab Challenge Following Arrest and Police InvestigationScottie Scheffler tied for 2nd place at the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday, May 26, following his May 17 arrest at the Valhalla Golf Club and subsequent felony charge of second-degree assault of a police officer.
Read more »
Scottie Scheffler Ties For 2nd Place at Charles Schwab ChallengeScottie Scheffler has finished in 2nd place at the Charles Schwab Challenge, just days ahead of his arraignment following his May 17 arrest
Read more »
Riley wins at Colonial, Scheffler gets 2nd as golfers honor MurrayWorld No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Tour veteran Keegan Bradley tied for second at 9 under.
Read more »
Davis Riley leads Scottie Scheffler by 4 at somber Colonial after news of player’s deathPlano West’s Pierceson Coody is a stroke behind Scheffler heading into the final day at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Read more »
Scottie Scheffler Arrest Video Released, Officer PunishedAs the top golfer in the world played in Fort Worth, police in Kentucky provided updates on his arrest last Friday.
Read more »
Police officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler has been suspended, reprimanded multiple times: reportAfter surveillance footage showed a different account of what police Det. Bryan Gillis said about Scottie Scheffler's arrest, Gillis' prior suspensions have reportedly been unearthed.
Read more »