1996–97 Chicago Bulls season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 31st season for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association.^[1] The Bulls entered the regular season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals in six games, winning their fourth NBA championship. During the off-season, the Bulls signed 43-year old free agent All-Star center Robert Parish, who won three championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.^[2][3][4]

1996–97 Chicago Bulls season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach	Phil Jackson
General manager	Jerry Krause
Owners	Jerry Reinsdorf
Arena	United Center
Results
Record	69–13 (.841)
Place	Division: 1st (Central) Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finish	NBA champions (Defeated Jazz 4–2)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	WGN-TV SportsChannel Chicago
Radio	WMVP
< 1995–96 1997–98 >

Coming off of one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, the Bulls, on the backs of recording another first-place finish in their division and conference, repeated as NBA champions. The Bulls were led by Michael Jordan, perennial All-Star small forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound ace Dennis Rodman; other notable players on the club's roster that year were clutch-specialist Croatian Toni Kukoč, and sharp-shooting point guard Steve Kerr.

The Bulls got off to a fast start by winning their first twelve games of the regular season,^[5][6] while posting a 42–6 record before the All-Star break.^[7] In April, the team signed free agent Brian Williams, who previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, and spent most of the 1996–97 season as a free agent; Williams played in the final nine games of the regular season as a backup center for the Bulls.^[8][9][10] Though, the Bulls looked to make history against the New York Knicks in their final game of the regular season, Pippen missed a game-winning three-pointer as they lost to the Knicks at the United Center, 103–101;^[11][12][13] the Bulls finished in first place in the Central Division with a 69–13 record, just missing out on becoming the first team in NBA history to have back-to-back 70 wins seasons.^[14] The Bulls earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference, qualified for the NBA playoffs for the thirteenth consecutive year, and had the fourth best team defensive rating in the NBA.^[15]

Jordan led the league in scoring once again, averaging 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, plus contributing 111 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, while Pippen averaged 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, led the Bulls with 156 three-point field goals, and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team; both Jordan and Pippen were named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Rodman led the league with 16.1 rebounds per game,^[16] but only played 55 games due to suspensions and injuries, such as serving an 11-game suspension for kicking a cameraman during a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 15, 1997,^[17][18][19] and a knee injury which caused him to miss the final 13 games of the regular season.^[20][21][22]

Meanwhile, Kukoč provided scoring off the bench, averaging 13.2 points per game, but only played 57 games due to a foot injury,^[23][24][25] while Luc Longley provided the team with 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Kerr contributed 8.1 points per game and 110 three-point field goals off the bench, while shooting .464 in three-point field goal percentage, second-year forward Jason Caffey averaged 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, starting at power forward in a few games during Rodman's suspension, and Ron Harper contributed 6.3 points and 2.5 assists per game.^[16]

During the NBA All-Star weekend in Cleveland, Ohio, Jordan and Pippen were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, which would be Pippen's seventh and final All-Star appearance,^[26][27][28] and in which Jordan recorded the first triple-double in an All-Star Game with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists;^[29][30][31] Kerr also won the NBA Three-Point Shootout.^[32][30][33] Jordan also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Pippen finished in eleventh place;^[34][35] Pippen finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Jordan finished in fifth place,^[36][35] and Kukoč finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.^[37][35]

In the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Bulls would sweep the Washington Bullets in three straight games in the Eastern Conference First Round.^[38][39][40] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in five games,^[41][42][43] despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 103–95.^[44][45][46] In the Eastern Conference Finals, they defeated the Miami Heat in five games to advance to the 1997 NBA Finals,^[47][48][49] where they defeated regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz in six games for their fifth NBA title in seven years; Jordan was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year, and for the fifth time overall.^[50][51][52]

Following the season, Parish retired after 21 seasons in the NBA,^[53][54][55] while Williams signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,^[56][57][58] and Dickey Simpkins was traded to the Golden State Warriors.^[59][60]

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 1996 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	29	Travis Knight	C	United States	UConn

Roster

1996–97 Chicago Bulls roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From G 1 Randy Brown 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1968–05–22 New Mexico State F 30 Jud Buechler 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1968–06–19 Arizona F 35 Jason Caffey 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1973–06–12 Alabama G 9 Ron Harper 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1964–01–20 Miami (OH) G 23 Michael Jordan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1963–02–17 North Carolina G 25 Steve Kerr 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1965–09–27 Arizona F 7 Toni Kukoč 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1968–09–18 Croatia C 13 Luc Longley 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1969–01–19 New Mexico C 00 Robert Parish 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1953–08–30 Centenary F 33 Scottie Pippen 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1965–09–25 Central Arkansas F 91 Dennis Rodman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State F 8 Dickey Simpkins 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1972–04–06 Providence F 6 Matt Steigenga 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1970–03–27 Michigan State C 34 Bill Wennington  7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1963–04–26 St. John's C 18 Brian Williams 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1969–04–06 Arizona

Head coach Phil Jackson Assistant(s) Bill Cartwright Frank Hamblen Jimmy Rodgers Tex Winter Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster Updated: April 12, 1997

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division v t e	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–	39–2	30–11	24–4
x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13	36–5	20–21	17–11
x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	17–11
x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15	30–11	24–17	14–14
Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27	25–16	17–24	13–15
Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30	21–20	18–23	11–17
Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36	20–21	13–28	10–18
Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39	18–23	12–29	6–22

1996–97 NBA East standings

#	Eastern Conference v t e
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Chicago Bulls	69	13	.841	–
2	y-Miami Heat	61	21	.744	8
3	x-New York Knicks	57	25	.695	12
4	x-Atlanta Hawks	56	26	.683	13
5	x-Detroit Pistons	54	28	.659	15
6	x-Charlotte Hornets	54	28	.659	15
7	x-Orlando Magic	45	37	.549	24
8	x-Washington Bullets	44	38	.537	25
9	Cleveland Cavaliers	42	40	.512	27
10	Indiana Pacers	39	43	.476	30
11	Milwaukee Bucks	33	49	.402	36
12	Toronto Raptors	30	52	.366	39
13	New Jersey Nets	26	56	.317	43
14	Philadelphia 76ers	22	60	.268	47
15	Boston Celtics	15	67	.183	54

Record vs. opponents

1996–97 NBA records
Team	ATL	BOS	CHA	CHI	CLE	DAL	DEN	DET	GSW	HOU	IND	LAC	LAL	MIA	MIL	MIN	NJN	NYK	ORL	PHI	PHO	POR	SAC	SAS	SEA	TOR	UTA	VAN	WAS
Atlanta	—	3–1	1–3	1–3	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	1–3	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	2–1
Boston	1–3	—	0–4	0–4	1–2	1–1	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	1–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–4	1–3	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	0–2	0–2	0–4
Charlotte	3–1	4–0	—	0–4	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	2–0	2–2	1–1	1–1	1–2	2–2	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–2	4–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–2	0–2	2–0	3–1
Chicago	3–1	4–0	4–0	—	3–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	3–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1
Cleveland	1–3	2–1	1–3	1–3	—	2–0	1–1	2–2	1–1	0–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–2	2–0	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
Dallas	0–2	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	—	3–1	0–2	0–4	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	3–1	0–2
Denver	1–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–3	—	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	0–4	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–2	0–4	1–1	0–4	3–1	1–1
Detroit	3–1	4–0	2–2	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	3–1	2–0	4–0	1–2	2–2	2–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	4–0
Golden State	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	0–2	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	1–3	4–0	0–4	2–0	0–4	3–1	0–2
Houston	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	2–0	4–0	3–1	1–1	4–0	—	1–1	3–1	3–1	0–2	1–1	4–0	2–0	1–1	0–2	2–0	2–2	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–2	3–1	2–0
Indiana	1–3	2–1	2–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	2–0	1–3	1–1	1–1	—	2–0	1–1	1–3	2–2	2–0	2–2	1–3	1–3	3–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	2–0	1–3
L.A. Clippers	0–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–2	3–1	0–2	3–1	1–3	0–2	—	2–2	0–2	2–0	1–3	1–1	0–2	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	4–0	1–3	2–0	1–3	4–0	0–2
L.A. Lakers	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	2–2	—	1–1	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	2–0	4–0	1–3	4–0	2–2	3–1	1–1	1–3	4–0	2–0
Miami	2–1	4–0	2–1	2–2	4–0	2–0	2–0	4–0	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–0	1–1	—	4–0	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–1	0–2	2–0	3–1
Milwaukee	0–4	3–1	2–2	0–4	2–2	2–0	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	2–2	0–2	0–2	0–4	—	0–2	2–1	1–2	2–2	3–1	1–1	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	1–3
Minnesota	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	3–1	4–0	0–2	3–1	0–4	0–2	3–1	1–3	1–1	2–0	—	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	3–1	2–2	0–4	4–0	0–4	1–1	1–3	4–0	1–1
New Jersey	1–3	4–0	0–4	1–3	0–4	1–1	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–2	0–2	—	2–2	1–3	2–2	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	0–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
New York	3–1	4–0	1–3	2–2	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–1	1–1	2–2	—	3–1	3–2	1–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	0–2	3–0	1–1	2–0	4–0
Orlando	1–3	4–0	2–1	0–3	2–2	1–1	2–0	2–2	1–1	2–0	3–1	1–1	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	1–3	—	2–2	1–1	2–0	1–1	1–1	1–1	4–0	0–2	1–1	1–3
Philadelphia	0–4	3–1	0–4	0–4	0–3	0–2	1–1	1–2	0–2	0–2	0–3	1–1	0–2	1–3	1–3	1–1	2–2	2–3	2–2	—	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	0–2	1–3	0–2	2–0	1–3
Phoenix	1–1	1–1	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	2–2	2–0	4–0	2–2	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–1	1–1	1–1	1–1	—	1–3	4–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	1–3	2–2	1–1
Portland	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–2	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	2–2	2–2	1–1	4–0	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–2	2–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	3–1	—	2–2	4–0	1–3	0–2	2–2	4–0	0–2
Sacramento	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	2–2	2–2	1–1	3–1	0–4	1–1	2–2	0–4	0–2	2–0	4–0	1–1	0–2	1–1	2–0	0–4	2–2	—	3–1	1–3	1–1	0–4	4–0	0–2
San Antonio	0–2	1–1	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	2–2	0–2	0–4	1–3	1–1	0–4	2–2	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	1–1	1–3	0–4	1–3	—	0–4	1–1	1–3	1–3	0–2
Seattle	1–1	2–0	0–2	0–2	2–0	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	1–3	1–1	3–1	1–3	2–0	1–1	4–0	1–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–2	3–1	3–1	4–0	—	2–0	1–3	4–0	2–0
Toronto	0–4	1–3	2–2	1–3	1–3	2–0	1–1	1–3	0–2	1–1	0–4	0–2	1–1	1–3	1–3	1–1	3–0	0–3	0–4	3–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	0–2	—	1–1	1–1	2–2
Utah	1–1	2–0	2–0	1–1	1–1	3–1	4–0	1–1	4–0	2–2	2–0	3–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	3–1	2–0	1–1	2–0	2–0	3–1	2–2	4–0	3–1	3–1	1–1	—	4–0	2–0
Vancouver	0–2	2–0	0–2	0–2	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	1–3	1–3	0–2	0–4	0–4	0–2	0–2	0–4	0–2	0–2	1–1	0–2	2–2	0–4	0–4	3–1	0–4	1–1	0–4	—	1–1
Washington	1–2	4–0	1–3	1–2	3–1	2–0	1–1	0–4	2–0	0–2	3–1	2–0	0–2	1–3	3–1	1–1	3–1	0–4	3–1	3–1	1–1	2–0	2–0	2–0	0–2	2–2	0–2	1–1	—

Game log

Regular season

1996–97 game log Total: 69–13 (Home: 39–2; Road: 30–11)
November: 15–1 (home: 6–0; road: 9–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 November 1 @ Boston W 107–98 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (13) Toni Kukoč (7) FleetCenter 18,624 1–0 2 November 2 Philadelphia W 115–86 Michael Jordan (27) Dennis Rodman (12) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center 24,040 2–0 3 November 5 Vancouver W 96–73 Michael Jordan (22) Dennis Rodman (19) Scottie Pippen (8) United Center 23,726 3–0 4 November 6 @ Miami W 106–100 Michael Jordan (50) Dennis Rodman (22) Scottie Pippen (5) Miami Arena 15,200 4–0 5 November 8 @ Detroit W 98–80 3 players tied (16) Dennis Rodman (20) Michael Jordan (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 5–0 6 November 9 Boston W 104–92 Michael Jordan (27) Scottie Pippen (12) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center 23,813 6–0 7 November 11 Phoenix W 97–79 Michael Jordan (26) Dennis Rodman (22) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center 23,807 7–0 8 November 13 Miami W 103–71 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (19) Brown & Kukoč (4) United Center 23,889 8–0 9 November 15 @ Charlotte W 110–87 Michael Jordan (38) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (7) Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 9–0 10 November 16 Atlanta W 97–69 Michael Jordan (25) Dennis Rodman (15) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center 23,939 10–0 11 November 20 @ Phoenix W 113–99 Jordan & Pippen (37) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (7) America West Arena 19,023 11–0 12 November 21 @ Denver W 110–92 Michael Jordan (31) 3 players tied (7) Pippen & Rodman (5) McNichols Sports Arena 17,171 12–0 13 November 23 @ Utah L 100–105 Michael Jordan (44) Dennis Rodman (10) Michael Jordan (4) Delta Center 19,911 12–1 14 November 25 @ L.A. Clippers W 88–84 Michael Jordan (40) Dennis Rodman (14) Kukoč & Pippen (4) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16,144 13–1 15 November 29 @ Dallas W 116–97 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (19) Toni Kukoč (6) Reunion Arena 18,042 14–1 16 November 30 @ San Antonio W 97–88 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (14) Scottie Pippen (8) Alamodome 37,058 15–1
December: 12–3 (home: 8–1; road: 4–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 17 December 3 @ Milwaukee W 107–104 Michael Jordan (40) Dennis Rodman (12) Jordan & Pippen (6) Bradley Center 18,717 16–1 18 December 5 L.A. Clippers W 114–96 Scottie Pippen (25) Dennis Rodman (14) Toni Kukoč (12) United Center 23,687 17–1 19 December 7 Miami L 80–83 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (5) United Center 23,861 17–2 20 December 8 @ Toronto L 89–97 Scottie Pippen (28) Dennis Rodman (11) Michael Jordan (8) SkyDome 33,385 17–3 21 December 11 Minnesota W 103–86 Michael Jordan (27) Scottie Pippen (9) Scottie Pippen (8) United Center 23,505 18–3 22 December 13 @ New Jersey W 113–92 Michael Jordan (32) Bill Wennington (8) Jordan & Pippen (6) Continental Airlines Arena 20,049 19–3 23 December 14 Charlotte W 87–82 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (23) Jordan & Pippen (5) United Center 23,771 20–3 24 December 17 L.A. Lakers W 129–123 (OT) Scottie Pippen (35) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (6) United Center 23,919 21–3 25 December 19 @ Charlotte W 93–72 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (14) Dennis Rodman (5) Charlotte Coliseum 24,042 22–3 26 December 21 @ Philadelphia W 111–105 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (7) CoreStates Center 20,918 23–3 27 December 23 New Jersey W 113–81 Michael Jordan (24) Dennis Rodman (17) Toni Kukoč (5) United Center 23,601 24–3 28 December 25 Detroit W 95–83 Scottie Pippen (27) Dennis Rodman (22) Kukoč & Pippen (8) United Center 23,744 25–3 29 December 26 @ Atlanta L 103–108 Michael Jordan (34) Parish & Rodman (10) Ron Harper (4) Omni Coliseum 16,378 25–4 30 December 28 Cleveland W 102–97 Michael Jordan (45) Dennis Rodman (16) Scottie Pippen (6) United Center 23,792 26–4 31 December 30 Indiana W 81–79 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (21) Scottie Pippen (5) United Center 23,692 27–4
January: 13–1 (home: 7–0; road: 6–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 32 January 3 Orlando W 110–89 Michael Jordan (22) Dennis Rodman (22) Ron Harper (7) United Center 23,904 28–4 33 January 6 Utah W 102–89 Scottie Pippen (24) Dennis Rodman (16) Toni Kukoč (6) United Center 23,904 29–4 34 January 10 @ Milwaukee W 116–101 Michael Jordan (33) Dennis Rodman (26) 3 players tied (5) Bradley Center 18,717 30–4 35 January 11 Houston W 110–86 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (18) Jordan & Pippen (7) United Center 24,196 31–4 36 January 14 Washington W 108–107 Michael Jordan (39) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (8) United Center 23,891 32–4 37 January 15 @ Minnesota W 112–102 Scottie Pippen (29) Dennis Rodman (15) Toni Kukoč (7) Target Center 20,113 33–4 38 January 17 Milwaukee W 100–73 Jordan & Kukoč (24) Luc Longley (8) Michael Jordan (11) United Center 23,898 34–4 39 January 19 @ Houston L 86–102 Michael Jordan (26) Michael Jordan (14) Scottie Pippen (7) The Summit 16,285 34–5 40 January 21 New York W 88–87 Michael Jordan (51) Scottie Pippen (10) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center 23,902 35–5 41 January 23 @ Cleveland W 87–71 Michael Jordan (32) Scottie Pippen (12) Scottie Pippen (8) Gund Arena 20,562 36–5 42 January 25 Toronto W 110–98 Michael Jordan (24) Jason Caffey (6) Toni Kukoč (13) United Center 23,913 37–5 43 January 28 @ Vancouver W 111–96 Michael Jordan (28) Scottie Pippen (10) Toni Kukoč (11) General Motors Place 19,193 38–5 44 January 30 @ Sacramento W 111–93 Michael Jordan (32) Luc Longley (11) Kukoč & Pippen (6) ARCO Arena 17,317 39–5 45 January 31 @ Golden State W 115–92 Scottie Pippen (32) Scottie Pippen (10) Michael Jordan (8) San Jose Arena 18,748 40–5
February: 10–2 (home: 6–0; road: 4–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 46 February 2 @ Seattle W 91–84 Michael Jordan (45) Michael Jordan (7) Toni Kukoč (9) KeyArena 17,072 41–5 47 February 4 @ Portland W 88–84 Michael Jordan (36) Scottie Pippen (8) Toni Kukoč (5) Rose Garden 21,538 42–5 48 February 5 @ L.A. Lakers L 90–106 Michael Jordan (27) Toni Kukoč (6) Scottie Pippen (9) Great Western Forum 17,505 42–6 All-Star Break 49 February 11 Charlotte W 103–100 Michael Jordan (43) Dennis Rodman (14) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center 23,884 43–6 50 February 14 @ Atlanta W 89–88 Michael Jordan (30) Dennis Rodman (12) Jordan & Pippen (4) Omni Coliseum 16,378 44–6 51 February 16 Orlando W 110–89 Scottie Pippen (22) Dennis Rodman (13) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center 23,919 45–6 52 February 18 Denver W 134–123 Scottie Pippen (47) Dennis Rodman (13) Michael Jordan (12) United Center 23,874 46–6 53 February 21 @ Washington W 103–99 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (12) Scottie Pippen (7) US Airways Arena 18,756 47–6 54 February 22 Golden State W 120–87 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (12) Harper & Kerr (7) United Center 23,917 48–6 55 February 24 Portland W 116–89 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (15) Scottie Pippen (11) United Center 23,841 49–6 56 February 27 @ Cleveland L 70–73 Michael Jordan (23) Dennis Rodman (16) Michael Jordan (4) Gund Arena 20,562 49–7 57 February 28 Sacramento W 126–108 Michael Jordan (35) Dennis Rodman (11) Harper & Jordan (6) United Center 23,836 50–7
March: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 58 March 3 Milwaukee W 108–90 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (11) Dennis Rodman (7) United Center 23,894 51–7 59 March 5 San Antonio W 111–69 Scottie Pippen (19) Caffey & Longley (10) Randy Brown (8) United Center 23,841 52–7 60 March 7 Indiana W 104–96 Michael Jordan (38) Dennis Rodman (18) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center 23,902 53–7 61 March 9 @ New York L 93–97 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (19) Jordan & Pippen (4) Madison Square Garden 19,763 53–8 62 March 11 @ Boston W 117–106 Michael Jordan (32) Dennis Rodman (16) Michael Jordan (9) FleetCenter 18,624 54–8 63 March 12 @ Philadelphia W 108–104 Scottie Pippen (31) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (8) CoreStates Center 21,061 55–8 64 March 14 @ New Jersey L 98–99 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (17) Scottie Pippen (9) Continental Airlines Arena 20,049 55–9 65 March 15 Atlanta W 99–79 Scottie Pippen (17) Dennis Rodman (14) Longley & Pippen (7) United Center 23,984 56–9 66 March 18 Seattle W 89–87 (OT) Michael Jordan (32) Michael Jordan (18) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center 23,989 57–9 67 March 21 @ Indiana W 117–98 Michael Jordan (36) Dennis Rodman (19) Scottie Pippen (8) Market Square Arena 16,759 58–9 68 March 22 Detroit W 103–88 Scottie Pippen (26) Dennis Rodman (18) Michael Jordan (7) United Center 23,896 59–9 69 March 25 Dallas W 94–92 Jordan & Kerr (20) Dennis Rodman (21) Scottie Pippen (6) United Center 23,854 60–9 70 March 27 @ Toronto W 96–83 Longley & Pippen (16) Michael Jordan (10) Scottie Pippen (7) SkyDome 34,104 61–9 71 March 29 New Jersey W 111–101 Scottie Pippen (31) Scottie Pippen (8) Michael Jordan (10) United Center 23,916 62–9
April: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 72 April 1 Boston W 111–106 Michael Jordan (21) Jason Caffey (9) Scottie Pippen (7) United Center 23,906 63–9 73 April 3 @ Washington L 102–110 Michael Jordan (34) Caffey & Kukoč (8) Michael Jordan (6) US Airways Arena 18,756 63–10 74 April 4 Cleveland W 84–71 Michael Jordan (22) Scottie Pippen (7) Luc Longley (6) United Center 23,955 64–10 75 April 6 @ Orlando W 110–94 Michael Jordan (37) Caffey & Jordan (8) Michael Jordan (5) Orlando Arena 17,248 65–10 76 April 7 Philadelphia W 128–102 Michael Jordan (30) Luc Longley (11) Ron Harper (7) United Center 23,618 66–10 77 April 9 @ Indiana W 86–80 Michael Jordan (23) Jason Caffey (16) Scottie Pippen (3) Market Square Arena 16,760 67–10 78 April 10 @ New York W 105–103 Michael Jordan (34) Caffey & Jordan (8) Michael Jordan (6) Madison Square Garden 19,763 68–10 79 April 13 @ Detroit L 91–108 Scottie Pippen (21) Jason Caffey (10) Michael Jordan (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454 68–11 80 April 14 Toronto W 117–100 Michael Jordan (30) Michael Jordan (11) Michael Jordan (10) United Center 23,896 69–11 81 April 16 @ Miami L 92–102 Scottie Pippen (28) Michael Jordan (8) Luc Longley (5) Miami Arena 15,200 69–12 82 April 19 New York L 101–103 Michael Jordan (33) 3 players tied (6) Scottie Pippen (12) United Center 24,161 69–13
1996–97 schedule

Playoffs

1997 playoff game log Total: 15–4 (Home: 10–1; Road: 5–3)
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 April 25 Washington W 98–86 Michael Jordan (29) Scottie Pippen (10) Michael Jordan (8) United Center 24,122 1–0 2 April 27 Washington W 109–104 Michael Jordan (55) Scottie Pippen (9) Luc Longley (6) United Center 24,267 2–0 3 April 30 @ Washington W 96–95 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (10) Michael Jordan (6) US Airways Arena 18,756 3–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 6 Atlanta W 100–97 Michael Jordan (34) Michael Jordan (11) Michael Jordan (6) United Center 24,397 1–0 2 May 8 Atlanta L 95–103 Michael Jordan (27) Michael Jordan (16) Scottie Pippen (9) United Center 24,544 1–1 3 May 10 @ Atlanta W 100–80 Michael Jordan (21) Jason Caffey (11) Kukoč & Pippen (5) Omni Coliseum 16,378 2–1 4 May 11 @ Atlanta W 89–80 Michael Jordan (27) Jordan & Pippen (8) 3 players tied (4) Omni Coliseum 16,378 3–1 5 May 13 Atlanta W 107–92 Michael Jordan (24) Dele & Longley (10) Jordan & Pippen (7) United Center 24,544 4–1
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 May 20 Miami W 84–77 Michael Jordan (37) Dennis Rodman (19) Harper & Pippen (4) United Center 24,544 1–0 2 May 22 Miami W 75–68 Jordan & Pippen (23) Dennis Rodman (10) Ron Harper (6) United Center 24,544 2–0 3 May 24 @ Miami W 98–74 Michael Jordan (34) Dennis Rodman (9) Toni Kukoč (6) Miami Arena 14,720 3–0 4 May 26 @ Miami L 80–87 Michael Jordan (29) Dennis Rodman (11) Scottie Pippen (5) Miami Arena 14,720 3–1 5 May 28 Miami W 100–87 Michael Jordan (28) Dennis Rodman (13) Toni Kukoč (7) United Center 24,544 4–1
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Series 1 June 1 Utah W 84–82 Michael Jordan (31) Dennis Rodman (12) Michael Jordan (8) United Center 24,544 1–0 2 June 4 Utah W 97–85 Michael Jordan (38) Michael Jordan (13) Michael Jordan (9) United Center 24,544 2–0 3 June 6 @ Utah L 93–104 Scottie Pippen (27) Ron Harper (7) Michael Jordan (6) Delta Center 19,911 2–1 4 June 8 @ Utah L 73–78 Michael Jordan (22) Scottie Pippen (12) 3 players tied (4) Delta Center 19,911 2–2 5 June 11 @ Utah W 90–88 Michael Jordan (38) Scottie Pippen (10) Jordan & Pippen (5) Delta Center 19,911 3–2 6 June 13 Utah W 90–86 Michael Jordan (39) Jordan & Rodman (11) Michael Jordan (4) United Center 24,544 4–2
1997 schedule

Player stats

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game

Regular season

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Randy Brown	72	3	14.7	.420	.182	.679	1.5	1.8	1.12	.24	4.7
Jud Buechler	76	0	9.2	.367	.333	.357	1.7	.8	.30	.28	1.8
Jason Caffey	75	19	18.7	.532	.000	.659	4.0	1.2	.33	.12	7.3
Bison Dele	9	0	15.3	.413	.000	.733	3.7	1.3	.33	.56	7.0
Ron Harper	76	74	22.9	.436	.362	.707	2.5	2.5	1.13	.50	6.3
Michael Jordan	82	82	37.9	.486	.374	.833	5.9	4.3	1.71	.54	29.6
Steve Kerr	82	0	22.7	.533	.464	.806	1.6	2.1	.82	.04	8.1
Toni Kukoč	57	15	28.2	.471	.331	.770	4.6	4.5	1.05	.51	13.2
Luc Longley	59	59	24.9	.456	.000	.792	5.6	2.4	.39	1.12	9.1
Robert Parish	43	3	9.4	.490	.000	.677	2.1	.5	.14	.44	3.7
Scottie Pippen	82	82	37.7	.474	.368	.701	6.5	5.7	1.88	.55	20.2
Dennis Rodman	55	54	35.4	.448	.263	.568	16.1	3.1	.58	.35	5.7
Dickey Simpkins	48	0	8.2	.333	.250	.700	1.9	.6	.10	.10	1.9
Matt Steigenga	2	0	6.0	.250	.000	.500	1.5	1.0	.50	.50	1.5
Bill Wennington	61	19	12.8	.498	.000	.830	2.1	.7	.16	.18	4.6

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Randy Brown	17		5.8	.300	.000	.600	.6	.4	.47	.12	1.2
Jud Buechler	18		7.7	.419	.333	.600	1.3	.3	.17	.06	1.8
Jason Caffey	17	5	9.8	.455	.000	.786	2.5	.9	.18	.18	2.4
Bison Dele	19		17.7	.481	.000	.516	3.7	.6	1.00	.42	6.1
Ron Harper	19	19	27.1	.400	.344	.750	4.3	3.0	1.26	.74	7.5
Michael Jordan	19	19	42.3	.456	.194	.831	7.9	4.8	1.58	.89	31.1
Steve Kerr	19		17.9	.429	.381	.929	.9	1.1	.89	.11	5.0
Toni Kukoč	19		22.3	.360	.358	.707	2.8	2.8	.68	.21	7.9
Luc Longley	19	19	22.7	.548	.000	.385	4.4	1.8	.37	.84	6.5
Robert Parish	2		9.0	.143	.000	.000	2.0	.0	.00	1.50	1.0
Scottie Pippen	19	19	39.6	.417	.345	.791	6.8	3.8	1.47	.95	19.2
Dennis Rodman	19	14	28.2	.370	.250	.577	8.4	1.4	.53	.21	4.2

Player Statistics Citation:^[16]

NBA finals

Schedule

• Game 1 – June 1, Sunday @Chicago, Chicago 84, Utah 82: Chicago leads series 1-0
• Game 2 – June 4, Wednesday @Chicago, Chicago 97, Utah 85: Chicago leads series 2-0
• Game 3 – June 6, Friday @Utah, Utah 104, Chicago 93: Chicago leads series 2-1
• Game 4 – June 8, Sunday @Utah, Utah 78, Chicago 73: Series tied 2-2
• Game 5 – June 11, Wednesday @Utah, Chicago 90, Utah 88: Chicago leads series 3-2
• Game 6 – June 13, Friday @Chicago, Chicago 90, Utah 86: Chicago wins series 4-2

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage's (Chicago's) home court (United Center).

Game 1

Sunday, June 1, at the United Center

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Utah	18	24	22	18	82
Chicago	17	21	24	22	84

Game 2

Wednesday, June 4, at the United Center

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Utah	20	11	28	26	85
Chicago	25	22	31	19	97

Game 3

Friday, June 6, at the Delta Center

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chicago	22	23	15	33	93
Utah	31	30	16	27	104

Game 4

Sunday, June 8, at the Delta Center

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chicago	16	24	16	17	73
Utah	21	14	21	22	78

Game 5: The Flu Game

Wednesday, June 11, at the Delta Center

Game 5, often referred to as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordan's most memorable. Just 24 hours earlier, on June 10, 1997, Jordan woke up nauseated and sweating profusely. He hardly had the strength to sit up in bed and was diagnosed with a stomach virus or food poisoning. The Bulls trainers told Jordan that there was no way he could play in the game. The Jazz had just won two in a row to tie the series, and Chicago needed their leader in this critical swing game. Against all odds, Jordan rose from bed at 3:00 p.m., just in time for the 6:00 tip-off at the Delta Center.

Jordan was visibly weak and pale as he stepped onto the court for Game Five. At first, he displayed no energy whatsoever, and John Stockton, along with reigning MVP Karl Malone, quickly led the Jazz to a 16-point lead. But in the second quarter, Jordan started to sink shots despite lacking his usual explosive speed and hardly being able to concentrate. He scored 17 points in the quarter as the Bulls hit the front before halftime.

Luc Longley and Scottie Pippen did their best to keep the Bulls in the game while Jordan was fatigued again in the third. But Jordan turned it on again, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch rebound and three-point shot with the game tied and under a minute left that put the Bulls up by three points. Chicago held on for a narrow victory.

Jordan finished the game with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Malone was the highest-scoring Jazz player with 19 points but suffered from some dreadful shooting. Jordan stayed on the court for 44 minutes, resting for only four minutes while being perpetually at the brink of fainting. With only a few seconds remaining and the game finally at hand, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms.^[61][62][63]

• Game Recap
• Box Score

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Chicago	16	33	18	23	90
Utah	29	24	19	16	88

Game 6

Friday, June 13, at the United Center

Michael Jordan was not fully recovered from the flu, but was feeling much better and led the Bulls with 39 points. In the third quarter Michael Jordan dunked after a steal, bringing the crowd to its feet. The Bulls trailed by 9 points early in the fourth quarter but went on a 10–0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes when Steve Kerr hit a 3-pointer, but the Jazz would regain the lead. In the final minutes, Jordan's fadeaway on the baseline put the Bulls up by 3, before Bryon Russell hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 86-86. The two teams would fail to score on their next possessions. With 28 seconds left after Shandon Anderson missed a reverse layup, the Jazz expected Jordan to take the final shot. Instead, Jordan passed off to Steve Kerr, who hit a shot with 5 seconds left to send the United Center crowd into a frenzy. The Jazz looked for one final shot to stay alive, but Scottie Pippen made a massive defensive play as he knocked away Bryon Russell's inbound pass intended for Shandon Anderson and was able to pass the ball over to Toni Kukoč, who dunked the final 2 points of the game to bring the Finals to an end. Afterwards, Jordan was named the NBA Finals MVP.^[50]

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Utah	23	21	26	16	86
Chicago	17	20	27	26	90

Awards and honors

• Scottie Pippen, Forward, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Michael Jordan, Guard, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Robert Parish, Center, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Michael Jordan, All-NBA Team, First Team
• Michael Jordan, Guard, NBA Finals MVP
• Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goals (920)
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goal Attempts (1892)
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Total Points (2431)
• Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Scoring Average (29.6 points per game)
• Scottie Pippen, All-NBA Team, Second Team
• Scottie Pippen, NBA All-Defensive First Team

NBA All-Star Game

• Michael Jordan, Guard
• Scottie Pippen, Forward