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The Morning Line
Sports Illustrated staff writer Marty Burns checks in after each game of the NBA Finals
GAME 1: JAZZ 88, BULLS 85 (OT)
Posted: Thursday June 04, 1998 12:57 PM
The Jazz were able to wrestle game 1 away from the Bulls (AP) | |
If the Bulls go on to lose the 1998 NBA Finals, Chicago fans will likely
look back 20 years from now and remember Game 1 as the killer. The Bulls
blew a golden opportunity to steal a game at the Delta Center, gain a 1-0
series lead, and put fear and doubt back in the heads of the Jazz. On a
night when Utah forward Karl Malone (21
points on 9-of-25 shooting, 14 rebounds) threw more bricks than a New York
City construction worker, the Bulls were the ones who failed to
deliver.
Were the Jazz rusty from their 10-day layoff after sweeping the Lakers?
For sure. Early on, Utah looked rustier than a '72 Dodge Dart. But Chicago
couldn't take advantage, mainly because nobody stepped up to help Michael Jordan
(33 points) and Scottie Pippen
(21). Are you listening, Toni Kukoc?
Utah guard John
Stockton (24 points, 8 assists) killed the Bulls, especially at the end
with that clutch ice-water runner over Bulls guard Steve Kerr that
made the score 86-82 with 9.3 seconds left in OT. The Jazz reserves also
contributed, outscoring their Chicago counterparts 22-8. Still, Chicago had
a chance to win the game before self-destructing in overtime with
turnovers, bad shots and, egads, a 24-second violation--with the ball in
Jordan's hands! That's why, if the Jazz win the title, Bulls fans will be
talking about this game for years to come. On Saturday morning,
Marty Burns will comment on Game 2.
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NBA Finals
