Chicago Bulls - Indiana Pacers | 1998 Playoffs | ECF Game 5: The Blowout

Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan led a first-half assault as the Chicago Bulls put together their best game of the playoffs, trouncing the Indiana Pacers, 106-87, in Game Five to regain control of the Eastern Conference finals.
Pippen, who missed two crucial free throws at the end of Game Four, scored 17 of his 20 points in an outstanding all-around first half. He shot 7-of-12 from the field and again smothered Pacers point guard Mark Jackson, who managed five points.
"Dealing with Monday night's loss was very tough for me personally," said Pippen, who had been shotting less than 40 percent from the field and under 50 percent from the line in the series. "I wanted to go and attack the basket tonight, use all the energy I had, to make up for the mistakes I made on Monday."
Jordan, who missed a three-pointer at the buzzer in Game Four and joined coach Phil Jackson in criticizing the referees afterwards, also scored 17 first-half points. He shot 12-of-20 from the field and finished with 29 points.
"We came out tonight with something to prove," Jordan said. "We decided to be the aggressors. Scottie and I had good energy going toward the basket and we were able to make it happen."
"I did not emphasize that in practice," Jackson said. "I did not say that you have to go to the basket or that we have to go to the basket. But our players knew what they didn't do in the previous two games. Scottie and Michael took it upon themselves to prove a point today."
Consecutive three-pointers by Miller and Jackson gave the Pacers a 10-7 lead just over 3 1/2 minutes into the contest, but it was all downhill from there. Indiana did not score again from the field until midway through the second quarter.
"The Bulls wanted this game more than we did," Miller said. "All 12 guys suited up tonight feel embarrassment. So the total team lost. We played awful."
Indiana missed a remarkable 18 straight shots until Smits made a jumper with 6:12 remaining, cutting the deficit to 39-22.
The Bulls responded with a 10-2 run that featured baskets by Pippen and Jordan and three-point plays by Luc Longley and Ron Harper that built a 49-24 lead with 3:54 left.
"We never allowed them to establish the low post, which was a key," Jordan said. "In Game Four, Smits did that and opened up the perimeter for their shooters."
Not this time. Chicago shot 50 percent (41-of-82) from the field and held Indiana to 34 percent (23-of-67) in its biggest win of the postseason.
"The Bulls were hyped up for this game," Pacers coach Larry Bird said. "But I don't think they played any better than past games. The problem was that we were passive. We just didn't play and that was the difference. I'm shocked that we came out in the biggest game of the year with nothing, no energy. I have no answer for why not."
Pippen finished the half with a flourish, scoring all the points in an 8-2 burst that gave Chicago a 57-32 halftime lead. He had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the first half.
Jordan added 10 more points in the third quarter, which ended with Chicago holding an 87-56 lead. Pippen opened the final period with a layup, giving the Bulls their largest lead of the game.
"I think all of us raised our level of play tonight," Pippen said. "We were the hungry team. We were the aggressive team and we were more determined. It ended up showing on the scoreboard."
Jordan's driving layup with 7:11 to play gave him 35,000 career points, including the regular season and playoffs. He departed just over two minutes later.
"I told the team I was not satisfied with how they played tonight," Bird said. "We're going to have to pick it up to the level of the last two games if we're going to stay in this series."
Game Six is Friday at Indiana, where the Pacers have not lost in seven playoff games. However, Chicago has not been pushed to a Game Seven since the 1992 Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.

[@franklopez8243]

People respected the players and players respected themselves more than now

[@AHMAD-2324]

Dam 90's playoffs basketball was EPIC!

[@pp3k3jamail]

Ahmad2423 I miss it 90s playoffs basketball was great I use to watch games all the time even tho my sixers sucked in the 90s.

[@d25615]

Damn, that block by Scotty, telling everybody to stay back. Mark acting like he's going to do something by backing him down to the post. Scotty letting him back him down then slapping that shit back to high school. Once again, damn

[@mickeyjohnson5247]

looooool

[@Moshealthtips]

dont know what mark was doing. they put scottie on him specifically to get rid of his post game. dont know why hes trying it. i guess nothing else was working

[@neodelospobres4908]

Damn!

[@mariopantoja8259]

That behind the back fastbreak pass from Kukoc to Jordan. Ball never hit the floor. Damn son! 5:23

[@mickeyjohnson5247]

lol

[@erikhopkins9488]

DANG PIP!! He bashed the 'shot' out that shot!! Him and MJ23 UnFRICKINbelievable!!

[@JZ2001JC]

The play at 5:23 is awesome. Kukoc was an underrated passer. He may be one of the top big man passing greats.

[@airtime23]

Mental toughness by Pip taking it to the basket despite choking from the free throw line the game before.

[@filipinojordan23]

Mark Jackson was on the teams that took the Bulls to a Game 7 twice in six championship runs. ('92 Knicks and '98 Pacers)

[@dimedropper1992]

I remember my dad talking to me about this series his heart was pumping the whole time thanks for posting my dad can relive those memories

[@alaskanmarine1]

I wish they would release more of these games to DVD, much appreciation.

[@RealDilWPG]

that behind the back pass by kukoc was soo sweet, silkiest ones i've seen

[@carollaihk]

(07:57) What a defensive play by Scottie Pippen! He was so confident on defending Mark Jackson. Doug Collins told us a story:"Don't help me!I'll have him,don't help me,U'll stay with your people...& Scottie said to Jackson:"Ha!...Mark, not tonight!"& of course Scottie blocked Mark Jackson's shot.

[@d25615]

I always love watching games when the Champions show why they are the Champs. everything goes right for them and the other team can't do anything. weird how it's usually on the home court.

[@Wardfolio]

The Pacers made one mistake, they put Jordan and those Bulls with their backs is against the wall. #GOAT

[@kOrOne79]

Thanks a lot. After a couple of regular season games I'll probably add the Bulls-Pistons series from 1991.

[@kOrOne79]

There's another furious dunk from Pippen on Jackson in Game 7, you'll love it.

[@blackadam06]

The league just hasn't been the same since MJ & Scottie were doin' their thing.

[@alaskanmarine1]

I love it when mark jackson tries to backdown Pippen, at the 8:15 mark and he just swats it away.

[@jumpnam]

Interesting thing about Costas is that he used to do play-by-play for radio prior to getting the NBC announcer spot. Hence his rapid fire delivery and habit of describing everything that's happening oncourt.

[@Wis_Dom]

5:23 Old Jordan found his young legs for this game #Goat

[@youtuber3328]

please tell me do you know eight nicknames including the record book still belong to wilt chamberlain and that there's a documentary called the greatest player ever starring wilt chamberlain and please tell me did you did you know that the finals mvp is named after bill russell and that in 1980 the nba declared the greatest player ever as bill russell

[@Fatmanstan606]

I say this as a die hard paced fan, that was a proper thrashing

[@Frank87]

Mark Jackson trying to post up Pippen was pretty funny.

[@kOrOne79]

Actually, they played a Game 7 against New York in 1992. About the Pacers series, you're wrong on both accounts. Bulls gave two games away in Indianapolis and won at home with ease (with the exeption of Game 7). The Bulls wanted it more in the last minutes of Game 7, Jordan made the right plays and collected some key rebounds, Pippen hit two jumpers, Kerr's three and so on. Miller and the rest of the gang were nowhere to be seen.

[@throwdown3927]

Yeah I agree man, didn't really care for anyone other than Marv and Costas, but I loved listening regardless of who they got paired with. I loved Fratello, Magic and Marv. I was born in 89 so I really didn't get to experience Stockton and Hubie but having heard them in ESPN classic telecasts or separately when they're on TNT sometimes I agree they are fun commentators. I wish today's game were on TNT only, they do so much better than ESPN/ABC. Must be because they "know drama" lol.

[@ducc764]

have all these on tape, no choice but to growing up in chicago

[@arkade2345]

great videos. definitely post the 1991 bulls/pistons game also, can you post some games from 95 bulls/magic series? people forget how nasty MJ was during that series, even while rusty and still in baseball shape. he dunked on shaq and had a lot of "air" highlights...

[@dlawson688]

amazing.... this team also did this a few weeks later against a good jazz team!

[@lzllcdns553]

Every minute of the game was so intense and exciting. Today's NBA, I can hardly watch during finals and only in final minutes. Sooo boooring.....

[@Wardfolio]

Where all them Pacers fans at, this video?! LMAO!

[@222333aaaaaa]

Yep. Collins was a top-notch analyst.

[@mikemcgrath6150]

I put him 2nd or 3rd all time w hubie brown tops and collins fratello next.

[@MrLerock34]

Just look at the elbows and hands from Hoiberg on MJ. You can not do that these days.

[@dlawson688]

yeah, you are from indiana. But reality is the bulls gave 2 games away in indiana that they would have won in the past. they basically gave the pacers a chance in this series and the pacers to their credit almost pulled it out.

[@clutchcity25]

Can't wait for Game 6. You doing the finals from the same year???

[@TwoThreeForever]

7:43 got OWNED!!!!!!

[@molasda]

1:54 Michael Jordan the greatest player of All time !

[@TwoThreeForever]

MIKESOWELL: thank you! I was waiting for someone to say MJ's total points regular season & playoff combined when he retired in 2003

[@youtuber3328]

please tell me why the ONLY double digit 106-87 win this seven game series didn't come until game five because i'm still NOT certain i've still got multiple 1998 playoff mysteries for multiple reasons

[@MIKESOWELL]

They meant Playoff and Regular Season combined- Regular Season 29,277 (In 1998) and Playoffs 5,987 (at Conclusion of Playoffs) After he retired in 2003 his combined Regular/Playoff total was over 38,000.

[@Manofsteeeeel]

would it make a difference if ron artest was in pacers line up in this series to guard mj?

[@dottydizzot5896]

5:24 such a dope pass

[@kOrOne79]

I don't have that series, only the Bulls-Magic series from '96.

[@arirahmat8ww267]

9 times All-Defensive 1st team for MJ & 7 for Pippen?? Wow.. No wonder they won 6 rings. Pippen was extremely lucky to have a mentor like MJ who must have challenged him physically & mentally in every single practice

[@hushg2000]

Your talking about the 2nd round of the playoffs in 92, not the eastern conference finals. But yes, the Bulls were taken to 7 games against the Nicks in the playoffs.

[@meetyuju]

Wish could see the whole game

[@lionelangemario]

lol i see,yeah that's really a dream team i must say...only special players! thanks for sharing.

[@throwdown3927]

God I miss the NBA on NBC. Jeff Van Gundy, Marc Jackson, and Mike Breen make Isiah Thomas sound like a damn genius lol

[@VESHMusic]

seeing jordan play just makes me think im gonna hit every shot I shoot... lol

[@alaskanmarine1]

at the 5:34 dunk, you think mark jackson would have learned his lesson after being dunked on so many times by Jordan aganst the knicks.

[@alaskanmarine1]

where did that 35,000 point total come from? I thought he was only at around 32,000?

[@edscottable]

nba on nbc was the best of the big three networks i've seen in my life. didn't like tommy heinsohn waxing poetic about bird every play even when he wasn't involved, yet calling nique's vicious throwdowns "wadda dunkshot." i'd have liked for bob costas to just let us witness mj's greatness and not have him say it every time down. abc isn't that bad, don't like the halftime show at all. i guess i just liked the double and triple headers nbc used to have.

[@throwdown3927]

ABC/ESPN's choice of theme music absolutely kills the mood...Pussycat Dolls? Country music? Really? lol I mean if they brought back just John Tesh's Roundball Rock theme I think I would be 10 times more excited to watch their games. Not to mention, Jeff Van Gundy is too busy making stupid new suggestions (AKA no fouling out, half court shots being worth 4 points) and Marc Jackson is too busy loving Kobe to offer intelligent commentary.

[@kOrOne79]

Eventually, but not in the near future. After Game 7 of this series I'll post some regular season games first.

[@lionelangemario]

yeah i know but he didn't feel comfortable in the triangle offense too..other than that he was a franchise player caliber player,not horry.

[@thopkin12000]

Ahh the good old days.

[@willbabyboi1988]

@kOrOne79 agreed but i still think Pippen not getting it is a bigger snub.

[@thopkin12000]

I hear ya

[@RampageTV10]

The Bulls even defeated the Jazz like this in Game 3 of Finals that same year

[@carollaihk]

Agreed with U!!!

[@ompongawooh29]

oooh love the dunk of jordan @ 5:26 man! you CANNOT jump with JORDAN , HE'LL JUMP TO YOU HIGHER AND HIGHER! lol

[@haroldbenton979]

In 1982 he literally slammed his head into the backboard while going to block a shot in college. Not just the top of his head but the back of his head near his neck.

[@Malaysiaboy1]

hey does any1 realise or not....only jordan dared to have midrange jumpshot...and kobe dared not shoot any during the final ....so they are not the same

[@lionelangemario]

hey,i am not being sarcastic,i totally agree with you.i know who rasheed wallace was and again i was serious because you made me dream for a second lol. but i never tough about that but jordan would be SG of course,magic PG that's for sure and i think bird as SM or pippen and olajouwon as center and barkley as power forward..something like that..

[@croz24]

yes it was. without pippen's defense on jackson, the bulls don't win the series.

[@lionelangemario]

yes,rice lol.as far as pip and kobe,it's very hard to compare.you're comparing an underrated and an overrated player.and you're right pippen wasn't as clutch as kobe(even though kobe himself is not as clutch as people may say). But if we really compare their overall game,it's hard even though being clutch is to me the most important aspect of the game. if pip played right now,his numbers would be up thanks to the absence of centers, the new rules and a less physical game. i don't know...

[@nikolasrodriguez2602]

I'm watching in 2015

[@bigtasty25]

I'm watching in 2016👍

[@mickeyjohnson5247]

+Michael Selz I watched it in 98...

[@kOrOne79]

How about Tim Duncan? Never received that award either.

[@noel8421]

lol the waiter!!

[@palpatine55]

To even suggest Kobe is even COMPAREABLE to MJ is ludicrous.

[@luisramirez2778]

It seems that the pacers let the bulls win this game to study them how they play, ""if they did"" its a risk to decision for Larry Bird,,,, I give them credit for Indiana pacers for doing that decision. JUST WATCH HOW INDIANA PACERS !!! PLAY !!!

[@thedangerwich5476]

You dumb

[@kaliaelizabeth]

Mark Jackson got posterizes

[@icytriplex1]

hey

[@gpwhitem]

In six championship runs, the bulls were taken to a game 7 only once, and that was against the pacers here. The pacers were better. They were winning with 5 min in the 4th quarter of game seven, and then the refs did them a real butt fucking to keep jordan in the finals again.

[@gpwhitem]

They way you phrase it makes me think that's probably what happened...

[@TwoThreeForever]

1:50 enough said from Isiah Thomas

[@edscottable]

what's annoying was his infatuation with jordan. jordan was the best but you can't ignore the OTHER great stuff going on in a basketball game. he should be more keen on the finer points of good basketball and not sound like a 12yr old on his mom's sofa.

[@calvinlotz]

Ron Harper got fined 3500 dollars? haha

[@blackadam06]

SMH... How silly is that?!! I guess they shoot & pass harder too huh?

[@osmancanfb1]

1 dislike reggie miller

[@nahmikeNahmike]

溜马队不是冠军队

[@lionelangemario]

duncan is great but not top 5 all time man...olajouwon/barkley/malone/jabbar/chamberlain/robinson, those are five players better than duncan..and of course not the only ones. don't talk about championship because duncan wouldn't have won 4 in the 80's or 90's.

[@chitownref]

Isn't that the truth. And I really didn't like the NBA on NBC except for Marv and Costas. The NBA on CBS with Dick Stockon and Hubie Brown was by far the best for me overall with Marv Albert and Mike Fratello a close second. It's a shame they never gave Costas a good partner cause he is great to listen too.But I will take anybody over douche bag Bill Walton and Jeff Van Idiot!