It was a typical Knicks' playoff victory, with drama, sensational defense, and physical play that led to ejections and heated emotions.
The Chicago Bulls mounted a furious comeback, but New York made a game-winning stand in the final minute. John Starks made a spectacular driving, left-handed dunk that energized the crowd and his teammates. Charles Oakley dominated both backboards and made clutch free throws. And the Knicks remained masters of Madison Square Garden, where they have won 27 consecutive games.
Taking another step toward dethroning the two-time NBA champions, the Knicks outwilled the Bulls, 96-91, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference championship series last night. The victory gave New York a two-games-to-none lead in the four-of-seven-game series. And it gave the Bulls plenty to think about before the series shifts to Chicago for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon.
Once again, the Knicks' frontline dominated, outrebounding the Bulls, 45-34. Once again, Michael Jordan (36 points, 12-for-32 shooting) faded late in the game, shooting just 5 for 16 in the second half after a 25-point first half. And once again, New York's multi-dimensional defense controlled the Bulls' two-dimensional offense of Jordan and Scottie Pippen (17 points).
"We had a 14-point lead, they came back, but we weathered the storm," said Knicks Coach Pat Riley. "We're up 2-0 going to Chicago, and that's what we wanted. I think our team's confident. We held service, now the pressure does revert to them. We're going to have go into Chicago strong, but we did what we had to do at home."
Then Starks made his memorable dunk. Ewing set the pick on B. J. Armstrong that freed Starks on the right baseline. Starks put his head down and went to the basket, where Horace Grant came over to try and help. Starks didn't care. He took off, a la Jordan, and threw in a ferocious left-handed slam dunk that will be replayed on newscasts for days to come.
"I saw the opening and there was nobody in the lane," said Starks, who did another superb defensive job on Jordan in the second half. "I went up hard, in case I got fouled, and dunked it."
Not only did the Bulls lose the game, they lost their poise. Pippen, Chicago's all-star forward, was ejected with 7:34 left for throwing the ball at referee Bill Oakes after being called for a double-dribble. First Pippen held the ball after the call, then he tossed the ball at Oakes in disgust. An outraged Oakes ejected Pippen immediately.
Yet the Bulls mounted a late rally, which included a bizarre play on which New York point guard Greg Anthony was ejected for committing a flagrant foul against Jordan. It happened with 4:16 left in the game, when Jordan drove to the basket and was met by Anthony, who hacked Jordan hard in the head with his left arm. The blow did not knock Jordan off his feet, but it was enough to send Anthony to the locker room.
"I thought that was totally uncalled for, and if I had my chance, I would've retaliated," Jordan said of Anthony's play. "But I didn't want to get kicked out of the game."
Anthony saw the play differently.
"I didn't think it was warranted," Anthony said. "If you see a replay, you'll feel the same way. It was a hard foul, but I can't allow him to just go ahead and shoot a layup."
Whatever the Knicks did at halftime, or whatever Riley said, should be bottled and saved for the next time New York needs it. New York' attitude starting the third quarter was ferocious, and they went on a 22-8 run to turn a 51-49 deficit just after halftime into a 71-57 lead. A Jordan Showcase
A scintillating first half ended with the score tied at 49. Jordan showed his entire arsenal early, scoring 25 points by intermission. At times, it was spectacular. Jordan's best move of the half came on a driving layup when he glided past Doc Rivers, hung in midair between Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley, then kissed the ball softly off the glass. Jordan approached this like it was Game 7, and his reasoning was simple.
"We have to break through on their homecourt sometime to win this series," Jordan said before the game. "The sooner, the better."
But the Bulls did not break through. Now the Knicks are in control, and the Bulls are in trouble.