Overview
The Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz four games to two in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series to conclude the 1996-97 NBA season. It was the fifth of six titles in an eight-season span for the Bulls.
This was the first appearance in the NBA Finals by the Utah Jazz. It also marked the first time the regular-season MVP (Karl Malone) faced the runner-up (Michael Jordan) in the Finals since 1992. As of 2008, this series marks one of only two instances in which the MVP runner-up defeated the MVP in the Finals (the other came in 1985).
Jordan won the NBA Finals MVP award for the fifth time, extending his record for most Finals MVP awards. No other player has won the award more than three times.
The Bulls had home-court advantage for the Finals. The two teams split their regular-season meetings in 1996-97.
This was the first appearance in the NBA Finals by the Utah Jazz. It also marked the first time the regular-season MVP (Karl Malone) faced the runner-up (Michael Jordan) in the Finals since 1992. As of 2008, this series marks one of only two instances in which the MVP runner-up defeated the MVP in the Finals (the other came in 1985).
Jordan won the NBA Finals MVP award for the fifth time, extending his record for most Finals MVP awards. No other player has won the award more than three times.
The Bulls had home-court advantage for the Finals. The two teams split their regular-season meetings in 1996-97.
Road to the Finals
| Team | Jazz | Bulls |
| Regular Season | 64-18, 1st in Midwest Division | 69-13, 1st in Central Division |
| First Round | Def. (8) Los Angeles Clippers, 3-0 | Def. (8) Washington Bullets, 3-0 |
| Conference Semifinals | Def. (4) Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1 | Def. (4) Atlanta Hawks, 4-1 |
| Conference Finals | Def. (3) Houston Rockets, 4-2 | Def. (2) Miami Heat, 4-1 |
Game 1 - Bulls 84, Jazz 82
Michael Jordan's 20-foot jumper at the buzzer gave the Bulls a two-point win and a 1-0 series lead. With just nine seconds left in the game and the score tied at 82, Karl Malone headed to the line to shoot two free throws. Before he got the ball for the first one, Scottie Pippen walked across the lane and told him, "Remember, the mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays" invoking Malone's nickname. Malone missed both free throws and on the ensuing possession, Jordan hit the game-winning shot over Bryon Russell.
Jordan led all scorers with 31 points and Pippen added 27 for the Bulls. Malone, making his NBA Finals debut, had 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Jazz. John Stockton had 16 points and 12 assists but also committed seven turnovers.
Jordan led all scorers with 31 points and Pippen added 27 for the Bulls. Malone, making his NBA Finals debut, had 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Jazz. John Stockton had 16 points and 12 assists but also committed seven turnovers.
Game 2 - Bulls 97, Jazz 85
The Bulls opened up a 16-point lead in the first half and never looked back, rolling to a 12-point win. The game turned on a 12-0 run by the Bulls in the second quarter.
Michael Jordan scored 38 points and finished just an assist shy of a triple-double. Ron Harper was the Bulls' second-leading scorer with 13 points. Karl Malone led Utah with 20 points and 13 rebounds but was just 6-of-20 from the field. The Jazz shot 40.3 percent as a team.
Michael Jordan scored 38 points and finished just an assist shy of a triple-double. Ron Harper was the Bulls' second-leading scorer with 13 points. Karl Malone led Utah with 20 points and 13 rebounds but was just 6-of-20 from the field. The Jazz shot 40.3 percent as a team.
Game 3 - Jazz 104, Bulls 93
Back home in Utah, the Jazz stormed out to a nine-point lead after the first quarter and opened the margin to 16 at halftime. The Bulls used a 16-3 run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to seven, but never got any closer, losing by 11.
Karl Malone scored 22 of his 37 points in the first half to help the Jazz jump out to their big lead. He was aided by Greg Foster, who scored 15 of his playoff career-high 17 points in the first half. John Stockton finished with 17 points and 12 assists. Scottie Pippen led the Bulls with 27 points, matching an NBA Finals single-game record with seven 3-pointers. Michael Jordan had 26 points on 9-of-22 shooting.
Karl Malone scored 22 of his 37 points in the first half to help the Jazz jump out to their big lead. He was aided by Greg Foster, who scored 15 of his playoff career-high 17 points in the first half. John Stockton finished with 17 points and 12 assists. Scottie Pippen led the Bulls with 27 points, matching an NBA Finals single-game record with seven 3-pointers. Michael Jordan had 26 points on 9-of-22 shooting.
Game 4 - Jazz 78, Bulls 73
The Bulls took a 71-66 lead late in the game, but the Jazz ended the game on a 12-2 run to even the series at two games apiece. The difference in the game came at the free throw line, where the Jazz went 15-of-21 while the Bulls were just 5-of-12.
Karl Malone led all scorers with 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists. John Stockton had 17 points and 12 assists for the second consecutive game. Michael Jordan had 22 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. However, Jordan missed his final three shots of the game and committed a crucial turnover in the final minutes.
Karl Malone led all scorers with 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists. John Stockton had 17 points and 12 assists for the second consecutive game. Michael Jordan had 22 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. However, Jordan missed his final three shots of the game and committed a crucial turnover in the final minutes.
Game 5 - Bulls 90, Jazz 88
Known as "The Flu Game," Game 5 was one of the most memorable in the Hall-of-Fame career of Michael Jordan. He scored 38 points, the last of which came on a game-winning 3-pointer in the final minute, despite suffering from an illness that left him barely able to stand at the end of the game.
One day prior to Game 5 in Utah, Jordan suffered a severe illness, diagnosed as either a stomach virus or food poisoning. Bulls trainers had indicated that Jordan would not be able to play in Game 5, but the Bulls' leader decided to play through the illness.
Jordan did not wake up until 3 p.m. local time on game day, just three hours before tipoff. Jordan arrived at the arena looking noticeably pale, and when he stepped on to the court for tipoff he was visibly weak and unable to get his legs under him for his shots in the early going.
The Jazz, behind John Stockton and Karl Malone, opened up a 16-point lead. However, Jordan began to make shots in the second quarter, scoring 17 points in 12 minutes as the Bulls pulled to within four points at halftime. Fatigue began to set in for Jordan in the third quarter, and the Jazz took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Despite lacking energy, Jordan managed to score 15 points in the final 12 minutes. He sparked a 10-0 run that gave the Bulls an 81-77 lead, but the Jazz tied the game up at the free throw line. With just 25 seconds left and the game tied at 85, Jordan hit a 3-pointer from nearly straight on. In the ensuing timeout, Jordan nearly collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms and had to be helped to the bench. Despite his illness, he ended up playing 44 minutes and scoring a game-high 38 points on 13-of-27 shooting.
Malone led the Jazz with 19 points but had just one point in the fourth quarter.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 17 on the list.
One day prior to Game 5 in Utah, Jordan suffered a severe illness, diagnosed as either a stomach virus or food poisoning. Bulls trainers had indicated that Jordan would not be able to play in Game 5, but the Bulls' leader decided to play through the illness.
Jordan did not wake up until 3 p.m. local time on game day, just three hours before tipoff. Jordan arrived at the arena looking noticeably pale, and when he stepped on to the court for tipoff he was visibly weak and unable to get his legs under him for his shots in the early going.
The Jazz, behind John Stockton and Karl Malone, opened up a 16-point lead. However, Jordan began to make shots in the second quarter, scoring 17 points in 12 minutes as the Bulls pulled to within four points at halftime. Fatigue began to set in for Jordan in the third quarter, and the Jazz took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Despite lacking energy, Jordan managed to score 15 points in the final 12 minutes. He sparked a 10-0 run that gave the Bulls an 81-77 lead, but the Jazz tied the game up at the free throw line. With just 25 seconds left and the game tied at 85, Jordan hit a 3-pointer from nearly straight on. In the ensuing timeout, Jordan nearly collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms and had to be helped to the bench. Despite his illness, he ended up playing 44 minutes and scoring a game-high 38 points on 13-of-27 shooting.
Malone led the Jazz with 19 points but had just one point in the fourth quarter.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, this game was ranked No. 17 on the list.
Game 6 - Bulls 90, Jazz 86
Michael Jordan scored 39 points to lead the Bulls, but this time Steve Kerr was the hero, hitting a 17-foot jumper with five seconds left to put the Bulls ahead for good and clinch Chicago's fifth championship. Following Kerr's shot, Scottie Pippen stole Utah's inbounds pass and passed the ball to Toni Kukoc, who dunked for the final margin.
The Jazz led throughout much of the game, but Chicago outscored Utah 26-16 in the fourth quarter. In addition to his 39 points, Jordan matched Dennis Rodman for the game high with 11 rebounds. Scottie Pippen was the only other Bulls player in double figures with 23 points. Karl Malone led the Jazz with 21 points.
The Bulls joined the Lakers and Celtics as the only franchises with at least five NBA championships. They also matched both of those teams by winning consecutive titles multiple times.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Kerr's game-winner was No. 43 on the list.
The Jazz led throughout much of the game, but Chicago outscored Utah 26-16 in the fourth quarter. In addition to his 39 points, Jordan matched Dennis Rodman for the game high with 11 rebounds. Scottie Pippen was the only other Bulls player in double figures with 23 points. Karl Malone led the Jazz with 21 points.
The Bulls joined the Lakers and Celtics as the only franchises with at least five NBA championships. They also matched both of those teams by winning consecutive titles multiple times.
When the NBA compilied its list of the 60 Greatest Playoff Moments to coincide with the league's 60th anniversary, Kerr's game-winner was No. 43 on the list.