Bulls close out Charlotte Hornets behind vintage night from Michael Jordan

Share

Michael Jordan could taste blood. Honey-sweet, the nectar of victory.

He stung the Charlotte Hornets for 33 points on 15-for-29 shooting in the Bulls’ Eastern Conference semifinals-clinching 93-84 victory on May 13, 1998. 25 of those came in the first (14) and fourth (11) quarters. The United Center was abuzz. That game airs on NBC Sports Chicago Tuesday at 7 p.m.

As nostalgic as it is to relive these games, especially with “The Last Dance” chronicling the 1997-98 Bulls, we won’t mind putting this bumbling slog of a series in the rearview. By its end, each team will average below 90 points per game (the Bulls 89.8, the Hornets 80.2). It was 1990s smashmouth basketball at its… finest. 

But tonight’s affair should be a fun watch, as the entire Bulls colony came to play. Comb over the box score, and you’ll see 21 Dennis Rodman rebounds, five Scottie Pippen steals, 15 Steve Kerr points off the bench, and a stat-sheet-stuffing 13 point, six rebound, five assist, four block performance from Luc Longley.

What’s next should inspire apprehension and excitement; the legendary seven-game 1998 Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers, widely considered the toughest test of the Bulls’ second three-peat. Games 1 - 3 of that series will run on NBC Sports Chicago from Wednesday through Friday. Games 4 - 7 will run next Monday through Thursday.

Then, it's on to the Finals and the Utah Jazz. We’ll continue to wax poetic throughout.

Through May 15, NBC Sports Chicago is airing every 1998 Chicago Bulls NBA Playoff game (21 total). Find the full schedule here.

Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Bulls easily on your device.
Contact Us