EWING OVER JORDAN | BULLS VS KNICKS CLASSIC

Bulls versus the New York Knicks. The usual capacity crowd better than 19,000 turning out. It's been the hottest ticket in town and they're here to see the two hottest teams in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls at 53 and seven. They've won 11 of the last 12. The New York Knicks 46 and 16. They have the second best record a half game in front of Miami and Detroit. The Knicks with six straight wins, seven of their last eight sets the stage for one of the NBA's most intense matchups. Hi everybody, I'm Mark Elbert along with Matt

Gasus. And Matt, watching Michael Jordan over the years as well as he has played in his storied 12-year career, he seems to move to yet another level when he goes up against the New York Knicks, particularly here in games at Madison Square Garden. Marv, this rivalry really gets his blood pumping. And no matter what the Knicks try to do, it just doesn't work. All the Jordan rules, all the physical play, Michael just keeps bringing it on. Posting numbers in the 40s and the 50s. But for the Bulls to win today, Michael is going to need

a lot more production from his teammates. >> Now, the Knicks have been getting outstanding all-around play in recent weeks, but still it all revolves around Patrick Euing. And as of late, he has been in the midst of a magnificent run. >> Well, Patrick is surrounded by a lot of talent and that makes him even more effective. Now, in his last eight games, he has been exceptional, taking good shots inside and out, scoring at crunch time and defending as well. And here's how most teams view Patrick Ewing in the scouting report. Likes to face up at

17 ft, which takes away the double team. Always ready to come block a shot. And though he's become a better passer off the dribble, that's where he'll turn it over. And Patrick is ready for this one. He's got his game going and he wants to show it off. All right, so coming up, it's the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks. It is a brisk 36° day in Manhattan. We're back at Madison Square Garden where the Knicks have won 26 and lost five. They have won their last seven straight at home and 22 of the

last 23. At one point they won 15 in a row here at home. We're set for the introduction of the starting lineups. Let's go to the public address in Mike Wilski. >> Well, as we mentioned earlier, Chris Childs was to be a game time decision. The usual Nick starting point guard has missed the past five games with a bruised left wrist. The decision was made and Chris Childs is in the starting lineup. Childs played very well in that earlier meeting against the Knicks in Chicago back in January. 18 points, six assists, and also got into

a verbal dispute with Michael Jordan. As always, we're joined on the sideline by the dean Ahmad Rashad. Let's check in with Ahmad. >> All right, thanks Mark. The garden is rocking and the reason because this is a big game. Now, I have talked to players on both teams and I've thrown out the theory that this being a game where they're trying to send a message or it has playoff implications. It has none of that. I talked to Larry Johnson before the game. He said, "This is the ultimate pickup game played in the ultimate place. It's

Patrick and his boys against Michael and his boys to see who is the best today." And I've got a little bit of excitement in me myself because it's fired up here. And I told him that seeing that this is a pickup game, I got next. >> All right. Thank you, Amad. The Bulls have won the last two and seven of the last nine against the Knicks. And here at the guard, Knicks have won six of the last eight in regular season play. The officials, Hugh Evans, Nolan Fine, and Scott Foster. >> And talking with Jeff

Van Gundy a little earlier, that the biggest concerns that he has for his ball club is the rebounding area. Oddly enough, the Knicks are the best defensive rebounding team in the league, but they're going against the best offensive rebounding team in the league. And that man, Dennis Robin, certainly does a job there. It'll be Charles Oakley's job to try to keep him off the the boards as much as possible. And also against Chicago, you've got to take care of the ball. If you turn that ball over up in the top of the key area, there

is no defense for that. They turn it into an easy basket. But as always against Chicago, the tough part is trying to score. And as you may have noticed, Dennis Rodman with the multicolored look. Dennis back from his third suspension of the season. Returned Friday night against Indiana and hauled out 18 rebounds. Knicks control the opening tip. The Knicks with 46 wins, just one shy of their total for all of last season when they went 47 and 35. And a chant of let's go Knicks at the start as Patrick Yuing shoots over Luke Longley. >>

That's the way the Bulls like to play defense on post players. See if Luke can handle the 101, make them take shots before a big man like Euing gets it going and then you have to double team. >> Scotty Pippen has been on a tear trying to hit Michael Jordan. Jordan able to recover. Jordan at the start being guarded by Allen Houston and goes to the jumper. Michael Jordan ties the game at two. >> Here's Chris Childs for Larry Johnson who tease up the three and Rodman with his first rebound. >> Now Larry has been

shooting the three-point shot and all shots very well of late. That one was a brick. But you notice the odd matchup there. Rodman playing the small forward. Larry Johnson out on the floor. Pippen met by Yuing and he he threw the foul on the fake. Foul committed by Patrick Yuing. >> Oh Patrick getting good position on Luke Longley. Just a little bit of a fake move there by Jordan to come and bother him by Patrick just moving that shoulder into Longley creating space for that short little jump shot. >> And Michael Jordan will get many

different looks from the Knicks as he did in Chicago in January. And it did not matter. And Jordan hits on his first two. >> And Alan Houston got a little windburn there as Michael just beat him easily with the first step. The quick dribble and Allen Houston left in the dust. >> Four to2 Chicago. Here's Houston. He went to the scoop. It appeared that he was going to unleash the jump shot, but he changed his mind while in flight. And the game is tied at four. >> And the Knicks have to be encouraged by that.

the fact that Michael's already hit his first two jumpers, but Houston going right back at him. >> And Jordan again, >> three out of three for Michael Jordan here at the start. >> Well, Michael told us earlier today when you asked him about the scoring big against the Knicks, especially here at Madison Square Garden. He said, "Well, I like to feel it out. I like to see how my teammates are playing. I like to see what is needed. He's not wasting any time." and he loves to play here in New York, referring to it as

the mecca of basketball. And uh now he Oh, nice fake by Houston Jordan able to recover. Six to four. The Bulls on top. Shot clock at seven. Yuing foul. Well, Michael so comfortable with a jump shot this time. Actually backing down on Allan Houston to get a little space for himself there to take the fadeaway shot. And then Houston trying to get up on Jordan and make him a driver. That's the strategy for the Knicks today to make Michael go to the basket where they can maybe put a little body on him. But uh that

time forcing the jump shot. So right now Allan Houston thoroughly confused on what to do with Jordan. >> Foul on Longley and it was called a nonshooting foul. Yuing again going at Longley and once again he draws the foul. That's two on Luke Longley. Now Patrick is just so comfortable against Luke Longley when he faces up at about 17 18 ft. He'll take that shot if Luke Lee gives a little bit of ground. Other than that, he can put it on the floor and beat him off the dribble. And of course, the Bulls will be

ready to come down on about that second dribble to try to knock it loose. Patrick Yuing coming off a season high 39 against Boston on Friday night, the preceding game. He had 36 against Toronto. He has been struggling at the line though recently. Free throw shooting has been off. He's now 32 for his last 52 at the foul line. The Knicks came back from 20 the other night to beat the Celtics. 19 straight wins for the Knicks over the Celtics. down by 20 in the first half and down by 15 at halftime. The 13th time

this season that they've come back from a a doubledigit deficit six and the Knicks five pulls it back out. Shot clock at four. Nice move by Luke Longley and the Bulls lead 85. >> Generally the Bulls will go inside early to Longley to get some offense for him before he gets into foul trouble. He's in semi trouble now with two. >> Chris Child's first attempt is off. Oakley with the save, but he stepped out of bounds. >> Well, nice movement in the triangle offense by the Bulls. Lots of back picks. Lots of cutting and then

just a quick hard move to the baseline as Patrick Huing was fooled thinking Longley would go to the middle. >> And the Bulls man have come out and hit their first four shots. Jordan hit three and Longley a moment ago hit one. all the way behind the back and may have surprised Rodman. Ball was deflected out. Last touch by Oakley >> to say the least. Surprised that Luke would be able to make that pass on the move and Dennis never really looking to be that off offensive minded. But he's going to have to be for

the Bulls especially while Tony Cuck coach is out. In fact, a lot of the Bulls are going to have to pick it up at the offensive end. >> Yes, Tony Cuck coach out with that injured right foot. Rodman with the rebound to keep it alive. So, the Bulls with their first missed shot. Hopper played tightly by Childs. >> Here's Jordan over Houston. Oh, he is on fire. Michael Jordan extends to a 105 Bulls lead. He has hit four of four all jump shots. Houston on a quick release and last touched by the Knicks. The Chicago

Bulls in their last game Friday night at home beat Indiana 10496. That made it 23 straight wins. At home, Jordan was game high with 38. Pippen at 24 and a foul a hold on Houston. Well, Michael Jordan on a couple of occasions now has checked the shot clock. just there he is looking at it at the other end of the floor to see what he had. He had 10 seconds, plenty of time, but when you've got the jumper going like that and you got a little bit of daylight, why not let it go? And on

the next play, Allen Houston got up on Jordan to try to make him a driver and committed the foul. >> Battle between Yuing and Longley. Oakley over to help, but the help came too late. >> Usually the Knicks are excellent at that weak side help. Charles Oakley was there but very slow and just not enough lift to get up there and knock that ball out of bounds or knock the body very hard. So the Bulls are off to the quick start. It leads to a New York timeout with 745 remaining in this first quarter. Jordan

four for four, eight points. Longley has four, Bulls 12. The Knicks five. Well, at that earlier meeting against the Knicks in Chicago, Michael Jordan lit up the Knicks for 51 points. And you may recall Jordan lashing out verbally at Nick coach Jeff Van Gundy. Michael upset that Van Gundy had said that Jordan uses friendships and stature uh to con some of his opponents. We talked about this earlier with Michael and asked, "Is this still ongoing in terms of the uh unhappiness about those statements? It's kind of downplayed a little bit, but it's never forgotten. I

think uh you know when you hear certain things like that, uh you put them in your memory bank and you use them whenever you feel you had the need to. And um you know, so I hadn't really forgotten it, but I moved on past that. And uh we we had a whole different game, um different focus, you know, different situation in some respect. So, I mean, uh, to draw on something that old at this particular time at the beginning of the game is is meaningless for me. I think I've totally forgotten about it at this

particular time. >> I think the one thing that Michael will not forget or forgive was the con man comment by Jeff Van Gundy. Other than that, he realized that Jeff was trying to motivate his own team and he respects him of course for that. >> Seven and a half remaining in the first quarter and the Knicks are trailing 12 to five. Larry Johnson over Dennis Rodman rebounded by Bill Wington who came on following the timeout replacing Luke Longley who had picked up two early fouls. Harper passed on the shot. Checking with Jordan. Nice lead for

Pippen and Wington able to recover. New 24 for the Bulls. The >> match up is Child's on Pivot. Yuing came over to help and then Wington, the open man, took advantage. >> And Charles Oakley, the big forward, out on Ron Harper at 6'4, but the Knicks could never get together and communicate and find proper matchups. And that's why Bill Wington was left alone. >> 145 Chicago 8 run by the Bulls. Oakley. Charles Oakley making contact with Scotty Pippen who felt that he was fouled. >> Well, the Knicks have a couple of things that they would

like to go to right now. They think Larry Johnson can beat Dennis Rodman off the dribble. He hasn't done it yet. And they think Oakley, who's not a post player, can go inside from time to time against Pippen like he did on the last play. >> Oh, Jordan off the fake. That's his first miss. And the crowd reacting. All right, here's Johnson posting >> and he threw the foul. >> Well, the Knicks were all messed up defensively and Bill Weddington is pointing out where everybody is. Keep an eye on him as nobody's going to play

him as Patrick Yuing going over for the double team. No rotation whatsoever as Charles Oakley got caught on a smaller player. He should have been the man to rotate to Bill Wington, who normally comes up with big games here in Madison Square Garden. You'll remember the the one Michael's first year back, which is almost a two-year anniversary now, where he hit the game winner the night that Michael had 55 and last year in a playoff game when Dennis Rodman was driving as a playmaker and found Bill Wington for two open eight-footers, which were crucial in

that game. Well, Bill Weddingington very familiar with this Madison Square Garden court after spending his college days at St. John's. Rodman back for Weddington. And again, the Bulls on the loose ball. He flicked it out though this time. Last touch by Rodman, but terrific hustle by Dennis Rodman who never gives up on the play. And to show you how good Dennis Robin is at that particular play, Charles Oakley did an outstanding job of boxing him out and still beat him. And >> Oakley off the drive is called for the offensive foul. >> Well, Charles Oakley

knows he has his hands full even though he got lost his footing there. He's going to get the body in and pushes off and felt he had Robin out of the play. But Robin, who is so slithery, able just to get away and get out to the corner, which is where he picks up most of those loose balls. >> Bulls with a 147 lead. Oakley with the rebound. So Jordan hit his first four. He's missed his last two. Knicks have not been able to get going here in this first quarter. Johnson backing Pippen. Larry Johnson.

Larry Johnson, who has picked up his play after a disappointing start, cuts it to a five-point Chicago advantage. Now Jordan posting up leads to the illegal defense call and that is the first against the Knicks. >> That was Charles Oakley looking to get down into the lane to protect on a cutter and a good defensive play. Unfortunately, with the rules such as they are, it's turned into an illegal play, but that's good defense no matter how you cut it. >> So, um, they've been able to brush by Yuing. Houston doing a nice job here on

Jordan. Then he's able to cut to the left, but cannot hit and a loose ball foul against the ball. >> And you're right, Mark. Houston did an outstanding job of getting into the body of Michael Jordan, which is what the coaching staff of the Knicks want because they feel Michael is primarily a jump shooter now. So, make him a driver. That's easy to say when you're on the coaching staff. When you're out on the floor trying to keep a guy that quick from feeding you up one, two quick dribbles as Michael did, almost impossible. >>

Foul was called on Weddingington is first. Yuing. Well, the Bulls came with the double team, but Yuing was able to make the move and it cuts it to a three-point Chicago lead. >> And Allen Houston getting words of encouragement from Patrick Yuing on that play. >> Coming up on four minutes remaining in the first. Oh, Rodman again able to keep it alive. Trying to call for time and could not as he lands in the stands and then applauds the official Scott Foster for the call. I thought Dennis was going to do one of his layout

dives on this one. This time once again, Charles Oakley had position and just had to try to tap it to himself. But Dennis had visions of diving headlong as he did in Chicago about a week ago. Childs, Chris Childs has missed the last five games with a sprained wrist. Back in the lineup, Charlie Ward had been the starter and had been playing well. But the Knicks like the toughness of of Chris Charles against the Chicago Bulls crowd wanted to travel. >> Shot clock at four. Here's Pippen. And that is his first field goal. He missed

his first three shots. >> Well, the stick tuitiveness of Scotty Pippen on the first foray into the lane. Larry Johnson did an excellent job at 6'7 about 250 lbs of getting low, bending his knees, sliding along to cut off the drive of Pippen. Then he relaxed just a little bit, stood up straight and got it back. >> Allan Houston, nice pick set for Houston. Could not put it down and miscommunication. Gives the ball back to the Knicks. >> Dennis saying, "I don't he can't believe that Scotty was not able to handle this pass. He thought

he just gently bowled out to a nice follow through and everything, but Scotty Pippen evidently took his eye off it for just a second. Lost it." First turnover committed by Chicago. They take a timeout. 308 remaining in the back at Madison Square Garden. Chicago with a 1611 lead on the New York Knicks. Always an impressive array of personalities on hand here at the Garden. Woody Allen and Suni. Actor Matthew Modí who has been a Garden regular. Same for Tom Brokoff NBC News. Peter Bole >> clapping on Q and from Chicago. I asked Jean Cisco, is

he following the Bulls around on this on this road trip? And Spike Lee who was at the the earlier Bulls Knicks game at the United Center. Charlie Ward has come on replacing Chris Childs. Houston for three. Yes. So the Bulls now lead 1614. >> Michael Jordan thought that Dennis Robin was going to need a little help against Larry Johnson and he backed off and that's why Alan Houston was so wide open. >> And the foul a hold from behind called on Houston. That is his second and it brings John Starks off the bench. So Alan

Houston replaced by Starks who hears it from the crowd. Well, you can go online at nbc.com/sports for full NBA coverage this week. An in-depth report on the Bulls. Many people think, and yes, they do think that they're on the way to another championship. We'll take a look at whether Chicago is beatable. And if so, who are the teams that can do it? Plus complete recaps from all of today's early games. Foul on John Starks and a technical foul on Starks. So John Starks wasting no time getting to the flow of the game >> and the

Bulls wasting no time at going inside with Michael Jordan against uh John Starks right off the side out of bounds play and John with just a little shove in the back to push Michael out. That was called quickly. The officials are watching all the inside play very very closely. You're allowed to have a bent arm in this situation, which John does, but he is using his whole body just to shove Jordan out on it. >> He felt that there was a little bit on the tickytack side, saying he had that arm bent, but by going

so hard at the young official, the veteran referee U Evans coming over to call the technical, but Scott Fischer had it as well. >> Randy Brown has checked in for the first time. He's been a a major contributor off the bench for the Chicago Bulls. An excellent defensive player. Here's Yuing putting moves on Weddington. Won't count traveling violation. >> A pretty nice defensive job there by Bill Wington after Patrick Yuing felt the initial pressure. That's when Wington backed up a little bit and it forced Patrick Ewing, who can be very turnoverprone, to pick him up

and lay him down. Easy walking call. Scotty Pippen handling Brown and Jordan in the back court. Pippen, Rodman, Weddingington up front. Brown shaking off Ward got the stop >> and Rodman able to counter that rebound. >> Two minutes. >> Just under two minutes to go in this first quarter. Pick it off the fake and it brings the whistle from Nolan Fine. The foul is called on the Knicks. >> It is on Ward, his first. Well, Dennis Robman always around the basket, always relentlessly going after the basketball. Many times just trying to tip it away from

harm's way or the opponent and try to tip it for himself. And there was that bowling pass to Scottie Pippen that was uh mishandled. And believe it or not, Charles Oakley working very hard to keep his body on Dennis Robin. And he did. But Dennis Robin just finds a way and finds an opening to just get a hand on the ball and keep it alive. And that time he secured his second offensive rebound. But this has to be a lot of fun for the Bulls right now facing this kind of defense. And it is very

good defense being played by the Knicks right now as far as playing off the dribble, bumping cutters because I'm sure the Bulls don't see this night in night out. >> Now some pressure on the ball. Pippen hanging back. They look to double up on Ward. Bulls will go with the pressure sporadically. Buck Williams who just checked in. Buck Williams has provided a lift for the Knicks right throughout the season. 20 second timeout is taken by Phil Jackson. Minute 34 to go in this first quarter and obviously Phil is upset. Bulls lead by two. >> Well,

Phil very unhappy with Randy Brown on this particular play. He felt that Randy wasn't aware of what kind of defense they were in after that free throw situation. And when you break down defensively that far away from the basket and then one pass over the top, now you have what in effect is a twoon-one fast break situation. The nice bounce pass for Puck to finish the play. >> The Bulls started out by hitting their first four shots. Three by Jordan, one by Longley, but since then four of 13 from the field and the Bulls now

lead 18-6. Bulls at one stretch led by nine. They're up 14 to five. Steve Kerr has come on replacing Michael Jordan. >> Pippen being played by Buck Williams. >> Wellington. Rebound handled by Ward. Charlie Ward an excellent rebounder for his height and position. Nice pass by Ward. And Buck Williams with his second straight successful drive and he's tied the game at 18. >> Well, Rodman lingered in the back court to try to pick up a steal on Charlie Ward. Charlie took advantage of it to keep his head up and find the open man. >> Pippidity

leading two Knicks first. Johnson and then stops but could not convert. Just under one minute left in the first quarterly and a loose ball foul. Evans says stay right here. It is against Chicago. >> Well, Dennis Rodman's man is Buck Williams, but because he stayed in the back court, Bill Wington was caught right in the middle. between his man >> Charles Oakley and Buck Williams. And that perfect strike by Charlie Ward to set Buck Williams in for the easy one. >> Scotty Tipp upset. >> Scotty off to a slow start. One of five from the

field and two personal fouls. >> And the reason why Scotty's upset, first of all, he think he committed a foul. And the guy he was tangled up with, yeah, there it is, is Larry Johnson. Hopefully it is a better free throw shooter than Larry Johnson who's struggling a bit from the line at 68%. >> And 0 for two tonight. >> There it is. As over the years, Larry Johnson when he was in more of a scoring mode with the Charlotte Hornets, you are getting more free throws. Now that Larry's only taking nine shots a game

from the field, doesn't even get to the line as much as he used to. where he has really picked it up and helped the mix is at the defensive end and his passing has been sharp. >> Jason Caffy has come on for the first time and he has played well in particular with the many absences of Dennis Rodman Brown. Randy Brown ties the game at 20 with a half minute left in this first quarter. Ward and Starks at the guards. Johnson, Oakley, and Williams up front. Here's Oakley popping it back out. Johnson eluding Rodman and

then stripped. Final seconds of the quarter. Steve Kerr pulls it up. >> Pippen with the lead for Kathy. Broken up by Ward with a 1 and 3/10 seconds left in the first. >> A terrific pass by Scotty Pippen. He had to float it to get it inside to Jason Cathy, but an equally fine defensive play. Charlie Ward not quitting on the play, coming from behind and knocking loose. >> Robins inbounds to >> That's the end of the first quarter. Fast start by the Bulls and then they faded. Michael Jordan four of seven from the field,

nine points. Patrick Yuing has hit two of two. He has five. The Knicks and the Bills tied at 20. You are watching the NBA on NBC. >> This is the NBA on NBC, the game of the week. I'm Rashad back at Madison Square Garden. And Marv, you and and Matt had been talking about how Michael normally at the beginning of a game sort of sets back and lets the other team his other teammates do some certain things and really doesn't take it take charge. Well, he told me earlier that the key to this game was

to make sure that the Bulls could withstand the Knicks initial charge because it was a big game. It was very exciting game and they would come out and play it very strong. So Michael coming out being a very assertive and shooting four of seven in the first quarter unlike he normally does in other games. I'm sure that was the reason for that trying to keep his team involved in the first quarter. Mark all right and the Bulls got off to the good start. They led 14-5 but over the last 8 and 1/2 minutes the Knicks

able to turn it around outscoring the Bulls 15-6. Chicago shot nine of 21 from the field in the first quarter and the Knicks settled down and went eight of 15. But Williams jumping out on the switch on Jordan who is back on the floor. Rebounded by Oakley. >> Well, everybody's going to get a crack at Michael. Allen Houston got the start. Looks like Larry Johnson will play him for a while. >> Here's Charlie Ward. So, the Knicks take a 22 lead. >> Phil Jackson saying before the game a couple of big concerns. Of course, always

Patrick Yuing with the Knicks, and they don't want him fresh at the end of the game, but he's really concerned about the Knicks bench. People like Charlie Ward, Starks, and uh also Buck Williams. >> Yes, the bench has done the job throughout the season. Open shot for Starks. Yes, it's a three for John Starks. And the Mets now lead 2520. Balls going with Kerr Brown and Jordan. Jordan is being guarded by Larry Johnson who occasionally guarded the game in Chicago. Foul is called. Foul on Johnson called for the push. That's his first. >> Well, the

Bulls a little bit slow getting back in transition defense and everybody getting sucked back into the lane. John Starks wisely pulling up behind that arc to nail the shot. This is the bench of the Knicks. John Starks having an outstanding year, a legitimate candidate for six man of the year. The rookie John Wallace out of Syracuse has also had some some good moments for New York throughout the first three quarters of the season. And the Knicks also got good play out of the rookie from Kentucky, Walder Mccardi the other night against the Boston Celtics. First

pass off the mark. The Chicago Bulls right at the the bottom of the rankings in terms of turnovers. The Knicks lead the NBA better than 18 per game. Chicago committing only 13 a game. That is the second fewest, only Detroit with less turnovers. And that's the second by Chicago. >> The Knicks taking care of the basketball as well with only three. And it's evident because the the Bulls no fast break points yet. And that's a big key anytime you play Chicago. And only four points off their second shot opportunities. They're the two key areas Jeff

Van Gundy is worried about. >> And a foul against the Bulls. It is on Jason Cathy. >> And Michael Jordan trying to body up on John Starks. And Jason Cathy trying to help out a little bit. stepping out to bump the screener, but stepped out with that elbow in clear view of the officials. >> Starks using the kick. Rebounded by Oakley, recovered by Williams. Starks whipping by Brown and the foul. A nice strong hard move by John Starks pulling up shooting a little teardrop that he learned from Mark Jackson. This one from the baseline. And

both Buck Williams and Charles Oakley really asserting themselves right now. Just coming into the basket with reckless abandon just trying to keep the ball alive or get that offensive rebound. And on that last one, Oakley's legs were taken out from under him by Dennis Rodman. and has not been called for his first 70 run by the Knicks. In fact, they've outscored the Bulls 7 zip in the second quarter. And going back to the first quarter, it's a 226 run since the Bulls got off to the quick start. So, Oakley completes a three-point Nick play and

it's the Knicks 28 and the Bulls 20. Here's some pressure being shown. Light pressure by the Knicks. Now, they drop back. Michael Jordan hot at the start. Hit his first four but he's missed his last four. Two minutes gone by in the second. Mark Albert Matt Ducas and Rashad from the guard. Cook for three. Rebounded by Kathy and he is fouled. Dennis Rodman in a collision with Chris Child. Randy Brown over to break it up in a hurry. Foul called on Buck Williams. We'll be right back. A look at downtown Manhattan about 15 minutes past

6 here in New York. John Starks has often been the catalyst uh having terrific season. He's done it coming off the bench and you saw the numbers when uh John has been able to step in this evening. How that has turned things around. Well, with the combination of Allan Houston and John Starks, you get fire and ice. And it's John's job to come off that bench to energize the Knicks and ignite things. And he did that right away with a foul, then a technical foul, but bounced back nicely with a couple of hoops to get

this eight nothing run going. >> And usually it has been John Starks who has been on the floor for the Knicks in the fourth quarter. Allan Houston opened up against Michael Jordan. Picked up two fouls and picked up that second foul right after he hit a three-pointer. So Starks made his appearance. Here's Jason Caffy at the free throw line in his second season out of Alabama. First round draft pick last year. So that ends the 80 run by the Knicks. The Knicks 28 and the Bulls 21. Knicks now have three guards on the floor with

Ward, Childs, and Starks along with Oakley and Williams. Ward passing on the open shot, Buck Williams. And the Bucks out by Michael Jordan against his one-time Chicago Bulls teammate Charles Oakley. Well, normally with the Bulls struggling offensively, they go to Michael Jordan to get something going towards the basket. >> And Michael Jordan able to hit. He had missed his previous five shots. Jordan now being guarded by Child. >> That was not quite towards the basket, but that has become Michael's patented post up move down on that right block. That little fade away. He feels so

comfortable letting that one fly. >> The Nick lead is five. Oakley. Charles Oakley with his second field goal. Makes 30 and the Bulls 23. >> Outstanding execution by Child on the pick and pop play. Taking that dribble an extra two or three point to make that defense converge. Finding the open Oakley. >> Bad pass by Cathy. Could not be handled by Jordan. >> Starts play by Kerr. and picked off by Williams. And back comes Pippen. The Chicago Bulls have won 11 of their last 12 games. Pulling his way and rebounded by Starks. >> A bad

shot by Cathy. They don't mind Cathy being offensive minded when it's in his comfort zone in around the basket. That was a force. >> John Starks with the three. He has the touch. He now has eight. John Sto did not play in that earlier game against the Bulls in Chicago. Sideline by injury. Dennis Rodman also sat it out in the midst of a suspension. Knicks have opened up a 10-point lead. Kerr passing off the shot. The diving steal by Oakland. Three on two. Starts for one. And the Bulls want to talk it over. Well, there's

Chris Childs making that move off the pick of Oakley, drawing the defense towards him in the lane. And that left Charles Oakley, a good 18 ft jump shooter, wide open from the baseline. And then that soft pass, but nothing will get the crowd up, roaring in the garden faster than Charles Oakley diving on the floor, knocking the ball loose, setting the fast break going away as Patrick Yuing loved it. Welcome back to Madison Square Garden in New York. The Knicks with a 12-point lead on Chicago. We've been discussing turnovers throughout this first half. And as

the coaches like to say, you want to show respect for the basketball. Well, over the course of the season, the Knicks lead the NBA in turnovers, better than 18 per game, but they've been showing that respect here this evening. >> Well, taking care of it today against a very good defensive team in the Chicago Bulls. Not so much with steals as they have been in past years, but they do have good quick hands and will knock a lot of balls loose. However, the Knicks with a 30-9 run that goes back to the first quarter after

that explosive start by Chicago. Scotty Pippen has been quiet. Pipper going glass. Scotty Pippen has not had many strong games against the Knicks. Knicks feel they can count him around. They feel that he does get affected by the physical play. HERE'S WARD FOR THREE. SO, IT'S THE KNICKS 38 and the Bulls 25. >> Well, you go back to the early Pat Riley days here in New York and the Brooklyn Pippen was to bang him, pop him every chance you get. He has a size mismatch on John Starks inside right now. Here's Kerr. A three from

Cerr. Starks and Pippen involved in a collision. Looked like Pippen threw Starks to the floor. Now these two go back several years. Remember that leg whip attempt by John Starks on on Scotty Pippen and Pippen frustrated just shoved Stark. So the technical called on Pippen and John Starks will shoot the T. >> I think Scotty realizes he got off to a very slow start in this game. Now coming off the bench trying to get it going. Did hit a field goal. got double teamed on the post against Starks again. Threw it out for the curve

three-pointer. But in Scotty's effort to try to get to the offensive board, John Starks is going to try to keep away. There's John Starks at the top of your screen doing a good box out job. Pippen not giving up on the play, trying to whip around. Just not only hook Starks, but hook them to the floor. >> And both Pippen and Starks have been hit with technical fouls. 634 remaining in this first half. Let's check in with Ahmad Rashad. Ahmad. >> All right, Marv. During that last time out, Phil Jackson very upset of his team

mainly because they weren't scoring any points and his offense was totally out of sync. Bad shot selection which was leading to runouts by the Knicks. He said they just need to settle down and get back in their offense and get some points. Huh. All right. Thanks. Here's Ward penetrating. Luke Longley back on the floor able to handle that rebound. Jordan beating Childs. Michael Jordan coming up short and back comes again. The Knicks look to run. A bad pass. Child saying my fault as he went to the air and had nowhere to go. >> I thought

it was kind of a risky move starting Chris Child in this game having not played for five games. But until that pass, he has done a fine job. >> We are halfway through the second quarter. And the Knicks are up by 11. Jordan with a series of fakes, fouled by Child. He was hacked and Jordan will go to the line. A reminder, next Saturday, join NBC as Mark Omira leads a stellar list of entries that includes Tom Lean, Hane Stewart, Nick Price, John Dailyaly, and others the Honda Classic. That'll be next Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Eastern

time right here on NBC. Michael Jordan, one of one at the line as you see hit his first four, one of seven since then. A child's going to the bench right now, but the smallest guards of the Knicks very effective as Scotty Pippen had difficult time on the last couple of sequences trying to stay with Charlie Ward beating him off the dribble. >> So Allan Houston is back. The Knicks 39 and the Bulls 30. Second of four meetings between these two clubs. Bulls won in Chicago 8887. Led by as many as 17 out of that

game early fourth quarter. The Knicks able to come back, although you never had the feeling that they could win it. The the final score more for cosmetic purposes when you talk about a one-point game is a Jordan hit for the 51. Here's Houston for three. just did beat the 24 and Rodman able to come up with that loose ball. 520 remaining in this first half. Jordan posting up, setting up Cerr for three. Yes, Steve Kerr has not been shooting well recently, which is most unusual for Steve, but he has been able to hammer down consecutive

three-point shots, and it cuts it to a six-point Nick lead. Now Jeff Van Gundy takes a timeout with 459 to go in this first half. The Nick lead is now six. Oh, >> whenever you play the Bulls, you know Michael Jordan has get his points. You try to shut down the other people and you certainly don't want to leave Steve Kerr that wide open for threes. I don't care how poor he's been shooting them lately, he's going to make most of those. Bob Pat Riley also expecting that Dan Marley will return come playoff time. So

Bob chatting with Miami Heat coach, former coach of the New York Knicks, Pat Riley, his successor, Jeff Van Gundy, and today the one-year anniversary to the day of his first victory as an NBA head coach. took over from Don Nelson, lost to the Sixers in Philadelphia, and then a year ago here in New York, the Knicks beat the Bulls in a stunning blowout, 104 to 72. That stunned Van Gundy, too. >> And Bob, if you'll remember, the Bulls wore their black uniforms in that game, and that was the last time they wore them the rest

of the season. >> 3933, the Knicks with the lead. Ward with the steel, took it out of the hands of Kerr, but then Kerr able to get it back, deflecting to Rodney. Here's Kerr. I think he was surprised that he found himself so wide open, then able to hit the short jumper over Patrick Duing. So, the Knicks, who led by as many as 13, now lead by only four. It's been a quiet first half for Patrick Yuing. Not so for John Starks, who now has 11. Yuing has taken only two shots. Two of the Knicks

29 shots. Knicks lead 4135. As we come up on four minutes left in this first half. Long for Jordan. Wide open. Starks able to save that outlet and met by Jordan. Yuing off the spin. Yes. >> Well, Patrick Yuing has got a long time between field goals. His first two were in the early moments. And he extends to an eight-point Nick Lee. >> And you had to know the first time he was going to touch it. He was going to do anything he could to get one up to get his feel back again after not

getting much play for most of this first half. >> Shot clock at five. Pippen for three. Yes. So Scotty Pippen showing some signs and the Bulls have hit three of five from downtown. Knicks 43 and the Bulls 38. Nick Stang with the three guards Ward Starks and Houston along with Buck Williams and Patrick Ewing. Luke Wley playing with two fouls going at him and a foul is called foul on Rodman. John Stark getting some baseline screens. He's feeling it. He has the hot hand. He's going to shoot it every time he touches it. He has

an option there to throw it in Patrick Yuing. But when you're shooting as well as John right now, you got to take that shot. This would have been a good opportunity for the Bulls to come down and double on Patrick, but they probably didn't realize that he has only taken that was his third shot uh in this ball game. On this last possession for Patrick, he Pat Scotty Pippen was trying to get Luke Lonely to shade him towards his left, which is where Scotty Pippen was standing to give him some help. But uh Longley let

Patrick beat him with his strong hand going to the right. >> And the foul was on Longley, not Rodman. That's three on Luke. And he's replaced by Bill Wington. >> Frankfurt Ewing to the free throw line. >> And Buck Williams has gone to the bench, but he did an exceptional job of blocking out on Dennis Robin. He just put the body into him and held him and held him tight as Robin unable to move. And you don't see that very often. And then we saw Phil Jackson talking to Luke Longley coming out of the game

about his defensive play so far. >> Dennis Rodman uncontested swinging the ball. Lost it and the Knicks will get it back. Here's another look. >> Well, Dennis Rodman had this one counted in the column. >> We we've seen a bowling pass. I don't know what you call that when you get the the two-hander. Maybe it's the old medicine ball roll, but Dennis is trying all different sports today with his with his ball handling. >> The old medicine ball rolls with 15 rebounds. Knicks with 12 and Rodman with seven of those 15. The Nick lead is

six. Just under three minutes to go in the first half. Here's the devil on Yuing and Kerr able to step away. And here is foul. >> Those fouls on his foul on Pippen. That's his third. >> Well, very few teams in the NBA come from the opposite baseline to double team. The Bulls are one of the clubs that do it mainly because Jordan and Pippen have that knack, have that feel of when to do it. Scottie Pippen was there in plenty of time. And the only thing the official Nolan F could be thinking there is

that Pippen really didn't give Euing enough room in his turn to the shot. Other than that was an outstanding defensive play. >> Scotty Pippen with eight points, three of seven from the field. Just one rebound, two assists, and the three fouls in his 19 minutes. Patrick Yuing a 74% free throw shooter. Uh Scotty Pippen coming on that baseline which is in effect the blind side of Patrick Ewing but getting way up into the body on the turn the simultaneous turn of Patrick Ewing and all the official could be thinking there is just didn't give enough

room but it appeared Pippen was there in time the next 46 the Bulls 38 John Bushlers on the floor for the first time with Wington and Rodman front. Kerr and Jordan in the back court. Here's Jordan. >> Woman with the rebound. He's stolen with Oakley and Yuing standing around. Now Michael after making his first four shots now one for his last nine. >> Rodman with a rare shot. Dennis Rodman taking his first shot and has a pretty good touch, but you don't see it too frequently. So Rodman cuts it to a six-point Nick Lee. Yuing

foul. Wonderful timing. And Lennington upset with himself. He turned his head and he was beaten. >> But the execution on pick and roll type plays for the Knicks outstanding in this first half. And Dennis Robin going offensive crazy takes another shot and draws the foul. >> Well, Charles Oakley trying the one the one arm approach but then just getting pushed underneath the basket by Robin for the easy offensive rebound and a good looking jump shot as he's squared up. Nice rotation for Dennis Rodman. >> Dennis Rodman only 60% at the line. usually has difficulty with

that first free throw but hits it here. >> The Knicks 48 and the Bulls 42. I was saying earlier with the absence of Tony Cuck coach who does so much coming off the bench for Chicago and creating offense shots for his teammates, shots for himself that the Bulls need offensive production from other places. Houston and Rodman with rebound number nine. Yuing comes over to help. Here's Kerr for three. Yuing rebound. Nicks wanted a run, but the Bulls got back. Houston the three. Oh, Oakley able to get to it. Took it away from Rodman. And the

Knicks get their 24. 20 second timeout taken with one minute left in the first half. The Knicks up by six. Next Sunday, we hope you join NBC Sports for NBA coverage. That will get underway at 12:00 noon Eastern. Regional action. And most of you will see the Houston Rockets go up against the Miami Heat. Others will see the New York Knicks and the new look New Jersey Nets. Check your local listings for the games in your area. That's the NBA on NBC next Sunday starting at the special time 12:00 noon Eastern. >> And on TNT

this coming Tuesday, the Houston Rockets at the San Antonio Spurs. >> And we hope you stay with us at halftime. Bob Kostas in the studio and we'll be chatting with the head coach of the Miami Heat, Pat Riley. That's coming up at halftime. Well, Patrick Yoing contributing here in the latter stages of the second quarter. Scored early and uh then sat out for a while, but he is overall now four of four for 12 points and he has scored the last seven Nick points. Well, Phil Wington trying to slide out and help on that little

pick by Patrick Huing. Getting no help from behind and the perfect alley pass from Chris Childs. >> Larry Johnson being played now by Joe Bushler and Bushler using his knee from behind and the foul is called Chicago. >> Chicago is over the limit. Johnson to the line. He's two of four at the line. Phil Jackson said after the Bulls win over the Knicks back in January in Chicago that >> Jeff Van Gundy made a tactical error in stirring it up with Michael Jordan. >> A tactical error still always has a way of capturing it. >>

Well, ironically enough, Marv, it used to be when Michael had to score or did score in the 40s, in the 50s, it meant that his teammates weren't playing particularly well or they were standing around and watching him. And many times you could steal a win from the Bulls when Michael had those big games. But since he's come back from baseball, that has really not been the case. But on that particular game, Michael getting 51. Nobody else was doing much. Scotty Picket early in that game at nothing from anybody else after it. The Nick is seven.

Jordan able to protect off that double team. Shot clock at five and off. Steve >> foul committed by Steve Kerr. >> That's about as close as Steve Kerr will come to a technical foul as he started to stalk the official. Actually, it was Michael Jordan's uh uh fault in this case by coming too quick before Steve Kerr was set. You saw on the left side of the screen that Steve Kerr wasn't set because Michael Jordan left it too early to set that screen up now. Child's playing the clock down to 10 on the shot clock.

5sec differential game clock. Oh, Wington made contact through the shoulder into Child. So with 11 and 610 seconds remaining in this first half, the Knicks back to the line with the Bulls over the limit. >> That Bill does not agree with that call. He would probably agree with the one where he grabbed Patrick Euing on the same play, keeping Ewing from rolling to the basket. I guess he got two for one on the whole situation. >> Rrist Childs, a 79% free throw shooter, back on the floor after sitting out five games with the wrist injury.

Here it is on the left of your screen. You saw the right arm of Wington hanging on to Ewing and the left one reaching out to pop Chris Child. >> I don't know what he was arguing about. >> So the Nick lead is now eight and W had it poked away. Starks over Jordan and last touch by Oakley with three seconds remaining in the half. >> This is when the Bulls usually run their home run play. The long pass to the top of the key and then a a pitch back to a to a wingman.

It looks like Jordan's going to be the top of the keyman. >> And Rodman an excellent passer fires on the hop picked up by Yuri. HERE'S YURI GOING all the way. One ten of a second to go in the half and Patrick Yuing shaken up. Rodman was back and stepped away. I think Yuing expected some contact. The steel leading to the drive and the stuff and Ying hearing it from the crowd as he hobbles his way back to the tunnel headed to the Nick Locker. Well, you mentioned Rodman, a good passer. This was a bad

one when Patrick Ewing can come up and pick it off that easily. And Patrick has one thing on his mind, take it to the basket, and that should have been a foul on Dennis Rodman. >> Bob Costas and the credential halftime report. >> In Manhattan along with Julia Serving and Peter Bessie, I'm Bob Kostas and we'll get to them in just a moment. But first, let's talk about another of the top teams in the East, Pat Riley's Miami Heat. After losing today in Charlotte, Miami stands at 45 and 17. That's a game behind the Knicks

in the Atlantic. Miami was rolling along until Alonzo Morning was sidelined with a foot injury two weeks ago. Morning will be out another four weeks. That's the best guess. I spoke to Riley yesterday in Charlotte. >> Go out there, play as hard as you can. If you play hard, you're going to play well. And if you play well in this game, you're probably going to win. you know, in our playbook to start the season, there was one, you know, we have a mission statement that we just talked about and try to, you know, hook on

to a theme if we can, uh, something that, uh, is going to have some meaning, and it's it's to exceed the expectation. Nobody expected us, uh, at the beginning of the year to be good or to be a contender. >> Uh-oh, Zo coming up a little limp and down he goes. When Zo went down, it really was devastating because guys were in uh the state of mind that they have a chance. They have a chance and and I think that's what this is about. But we stayed to that mission, exceed the expectation even more so

now because everybody expects it to be over with. And we've worked too hard. We care too much. Put too much into this thing to sort of let it go. >> MJ BETWEEN THEM ALL. HE GOT EVERY ONE OF THEM. YES, >> you've lost before, but in my recollection, never like last year's sweep against the Bulls in that except for half of one game, you weren't competitive. That must have been tough to take. >> There's no doubt about it. It was it was embarrassing, you know, for a professional basketball team to go into a playoff situation

and get rolled. And we got rolled by a team that simply was much better than us and much more prepared than we were. So if you take out of it the fact that another man or another team simply made a better effort than you to go along with their talent, then you can't uh accept that. And you never let another man make a better effort than you. If their game beats you and if their talent beats you, then fine. But what they did is they took our heart out of us at that particular time and

and we didn't play as hard as we should have played. >> Do you refer to that when you reconvene for the next season or is it history? >> Well, we talked about it. You know, I wasn't going to let it just go. You know, we talked about what happened there and it's happened to a lot of teams. You know, I can remember when I went to New York, you know, the the season prior they got swept out of the playoffs. I showed in the headline of the New York Post, something like, you know, Gutless or

something like that. You know, they got blown out at the Garden. And uh you don't ever want to end a season on that note. And when you end a season on that note, you got to bring it back to their attention the next year and say it it just can't be this way. If >> you could take your best Laker team, what's the outcome against Chicago? >> I think we beat Chicago. >> I really do. Because of one one element, correct? Yeah. >> And uh and we had enough talent around the perimeter to be able

to match up. I mean, worthy against Pip and Magic and Jordan, you know, Scott, uh, you know, you can go on and on, but but the the one overriding element would have been Kareem because he simply was he was the guy. Magic was the force. Cap was the guy. He was unstoppable. >> A lot of people believe players don't play as hard as they used to, but you think the reverse is true, >> right? I do. No, I I think the '9s player plays harder than any other player in the history of basketball. I really

do. Uh you'll see players really given everything they have to give and and I don't think there's there's any doubt that to me it's like a wives tale. It's the cynical voice that says they don't. It's the people who really don't know. I mean I'm in it every night. Every night we're in it. It's a war. Maybe we bring out the best in other teams because they know we're going to play hard. But we get everybody's best effort every night. Period. So when you see so many games that are 8580, that may all be part

of it, but I guess you're saying the main part is more challenged shots, more guys just in your face on defense. >> People, I mean, take a look at it. Everybody says, "Well, why has, you know, it's simple. You don't have to analyze it. People aren't going to let you shoot uncontested shots anymore." There was an old theory back in the early 80s. I mean, you when you set up a game plan, it was set up this way. Who are we going to let shoot the ball tonight? You know, let him shoot it. Don't let

him shoot it. That ain't the way anymore. Everybody sees the visual of a of a Michael Jordan and and Scottie Pippen, you know, kissing championship trophies. They want that. They want it. And teams are getting after it better than they ever have. And I think the commissioner should be proud of that. >> Well, just about anybody would be proud of the job Riley has been doing as both a coach and an executive. But for the time being, he's doing it without Alonzo Morning with the injured foot. Morning could be out for another month. Right now,

three of the top five centers in the NBA are on the shelf. Shaquille O'Neal has missed 11 Laker games with a knee injury. They're 4-7 in that time. They expect him back in time for the playoffs. And of course, David Robinson in San Antonio has missed virtually the whole season. It started as a foot injury. Now he's developed back problems. He probably could come back and play if anything was at stake. But there's some thought that he should just rest and sit out the rest of a lost season for San Antonio. Okay, now let's go

back to Pat Riley. Simple question, Doc. At a time when everybody says it's a players league, why do players listen to Pat? >> They they have to. Bob Rally's credibility comes from him having played championship caliber ball as well as having coached championship caliber board ball. He knows the sacrifices that are necessary to get there. He uh he he he honestly believes in each and everything that he says to players. He was a star player in college. He was a role player in the pros pros. So his honesty gets transferred to them and most of

the guys who play for him just have to believe in him. >> Peter, I'll give you another reason. He doesn't hesitate to make superstars play team basketball. Coming off that uh sweep by the Bulls last season, Riley talked about it. They report to training camp every practice from the beginning of camp. He stops play every time Morning doesn't make the right pass. They come down court, Morning makes the wrong pass, Riley stops practice. No, no, no, no, no. This went on for a month. Ed Pinkney told me about it. He said the players loved it

because they knew it was wrong. If they were coaching the team, they would have stopped the practice because it was going to pay off later down the road. So, that's another reason. >> Okay, when we come back, we'll run through the NBA scoreboard and talk about the first half of the Bulls and Knicks. But first, as promised, let's quickly run through the NBA scores. Charlotte beat Miami 8276, 21 for Glenn Rice. Tim Hardaway had 31 from Miami. The Heat almost overcame a 28-point deficit. Phoenix got 31 from Wesley Pson and blew out Orlando 121 to

85. Portland won its sixth in a row, beating Seattle by 10. Isaiah Ryder led the Blazers with 25. Gary Trent added 23. 14 of them in the fourth quarter. Gary Payton had a triple double for the Sonics. Utah won its fifth straight beating the T- Wolves. Carl Malone with 36 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as he passed 25,000 points for his career. Houston won for the ninth time in 11 games, even without Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler. Kevin Willis had 19 points and 10 boards. The Mavs have lost seven straight. Atlanta opened the game

on a 190 run, and they were never challenged, beating the Celtics by 24. Philly with a rare road win, winning at Washington. Derek Coleman 20 points and 18 rebounds in that game. And Toronto lays claim to the best team in Canada, at least for today and probably for the season, all things considered. They snap a five-game losing streak by beating the Grizzlies, who have now lost nine straight. Now, let's talk about the first half of the Bulls and the Knicks. New York leads it 5242. Ewing has 14. Jordan has 13. >> Well, you know, and

just looking at this game, it looks like New York's rhythm and composure has allowed them to control the flow of the game. Conversely, you look at Chicago, they seem to be out of sync. I can't remember Dennis Rodman having so many rebounds gained and then lost two two turnovers. So, uh, the appeal at halftime for Phil Jackson is probably to tell Michael to put on a Superman uniform or to start a different lineup. Either way, I think it's going to be a New York night. >> Peter, the beauty of the Knicks this season is that

they've been built on balance, especially the last month. Now, tonight, they haven't had to overly rely on Euing. He's got his 14, but Starks is there with 11 and four other guys have five or more points. Ward is a big surprise with seven. On the other hand, Jordan felt compelled to dominate the offense coming into this. He made his first four shots, but he only has 13 points and he's got to go up against four defenders. Uh the Knicks are throwing four different guys at him. Real quick, don't have time to look at the play

itself. Rodman is widely considered to be the dirtiest player in the NBA. Well, now actually we will take a look at it right at the end of the half. Was this a dirty play? Pete first, Dr. J second. >> I think it was definitely a dirty play, Dennis. One of the worst plays in basketball. When somebody's up in the air like that, you submarine him. Either take the charge or get out of the guy's way. And I think it was intentional. >> I think it was a travel first. I think he got over there to

take the charge and then he turned his shoulder away. I don't think he was trying to hurt him. >> All right, halftime in New York. The Knicks lead by 10. We'll send it back for the second half after these messages from your local station. and enjoy the rest of the game everybody. >> Patrick Ying, the high man for the Knicks in the first half. Hit a couple early and did not get it to the offense to midway through the second quarter and he took over. Well, these are a couple of his early hoops, but then

when he came back off the bench, he wanted the basketball. There's a perfect pass from Chris Child and then the steel and then right at Dennis Rodman and should have been a three-point play opportunity as Patrick making all five of his attempt. A very productive and efficient first half for Patrick >> and nine of his 14 came in the second quarter. Let's check in with the mod. >> All right, Marv, I told you before the game how fired up both these teams were. I talked to Patrick Yung at halftime. and said that he just had

a bruise on his back a little bit, but it'd have to take more than that to keep him out of a game like this. Marvin Art. Yes. Patrick Yuing also taking a fall right at the end of the first half on that drive off the steel from the errand pass thrown by Dennis Rodman. Third quarter underway. The Knicks have a 10-point lead. They've led by as many as 13. Larry Johnson tried to save it. Stepped out and the ball back to Chicago. Phil Jackson opening with Michael Jordan. and Ron Hoffer in the back court. Scotty

Pippen, Dennis Robin, and Luke Longley up front. Longley playing with three fouls. Pippen for Longley and Oakley with the rebound. The Bulls shot only 44% in the first half. The Knicks at 54% on 19 of 35 from the field. Boy, Larry Johnson getting the ball at the top, not even looking at the basket, trying to be a passer as Oakley gets one from the deep left corner. But it's obvious the Bulls have to get other people involved offensively, not just Michael Jordan. Scotty Pippen came out and got the first shot. He's going to have to

pick it up offensively in this third quarter. >> And Hugh Evans with the call. Offensive foul. >> Foul committed by Hopper. That is his first. Been a very quiet game for Ron Hopper who has not attempted a shot in particular with Tony Coo out due to the injury out with a strained arch in his right foot. The Bulls need offense from others. Now, Ron Harper's just not the same player that he was last year. He had offseason surgery. He's not as quick or as lateral as he was defensively and not much of an offensive. Patrick

Yuing keeps it going with his sixth field goal. Yuing on fire. He is six of six from the field and the Knicks have opened up a 14-point lead. It is their biggest of the game. >> Longley lost it on the double team. Child pushing down. >> Yuing had it knocked away by Haer. It will be Nick Ball. They have 14 on the 24. >> There's Patrick Ewing being given some ground by Luke Longley who has the three personal fouls. And Luke knows that Patrick can take him off the dribble. Dared him to take the jumper

and he put it right in his eye. The Knicks come in with six straight wins, seven in their last eight, 17 of the last 20, and have been on a roll since the Allstar break. Johnson kept it alive and open. The Knick lead is now 16. The crowd reacting to the Nick play. a 16-point lead on the Bulls and a foul called on Johnson. That is his second. >> Well, these are the kinds of plays that Chicago usually makes because of their quick quickness and athletic ability, just active to loose balls. But this time, it

was Larry Johnson just knocking it off. The one-hand attempt by Scotty Pippen right to his teammate Charles Oakley. >> Chicago with four straight wins coming in, 11 of the last 12. Nolan Fine looking for help from the outside official. And Hugh Evans says last touch by the Bulls in that stretch of 11 wins. The last 12, the only loss, the surprising defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Six of the Bulls, seven defeats have come on the road. The own home defeat against Miami. The foul is called on Georgia. That is his first. Oh, >> Michael right

now realizes the Chicago offense is dead. Nothing is happening. He realizes the only way the Bulls can get something going is with their defense. Create some turnovers, create some misses, and go out and get some easy baskets because the half court offense just isn't there. >> And this time, >> foul call on a block on Rodman. Well, here's some Michael's shot chart in the first half. He made his first four field goals, but then going one for nine since all jump shots. And to show you how hard the Knicks have been playing and how much

more aggressive they have gotten to the free throw line 16 times to just nine for Chicago. So, Michael has to start going to the hole. >> And Yuing got bottled up. Foul is called. Another Chicago foul. It's on Hopper who came over to help the Bulls with their third team foul. >> Well, so far Phil Jackson just sitting back hoping his team can find their way out of it. But it's clear that the sense of urgency is on the part of the Knicks. Not only because they're playing the world champions, the Chicago Bulls, and all

the excitement, but also more importantly, they want to hold on, the Knicks do, to that second seed in the Eastern Conference and and hold their own with the Detroit Pistons and the and the Miami Heat. And coming into today, the Knicks 46 and 16. Miami now 45 and 17. And Detroit a half game back. >> They're resetting the clock. Earlier today, Charlotte defeated Miami 82-76. How about the Hornets? They've won 10 of the last 11 games. Detroit beating the Los Angeles Clippers last night. Chicago at 53-7. If they can come from behind and win here

today, they would go 54-7, which would match last season's remarkable run, but not able to get anything going offensively here in the third quarter. Jordan now five of 14. Here's Jordan again. >> Rebounded by Wley >> and the foul. Houston. >> Foul committed by Houston. >> Well, this take will not be an instructional one on how to run the triangle offense. There's a forced shot by Michael Jordan who uncharacteristically passed up an open Ron Harper. Ron showed his disgust on the play. But while the Bulls are missing, this is how they can find what you

might call easy baskets. It's hard work to get second shots, but Dennis Robin doing it most of the time. Luke Longley doing it there. >> The Knick lead is now 13 and some pressure being shown by Chicago. The Knicks are forced to take a timeout. 20 second timeout. Jeff Van Gundy not pleased about the reaction to the pressure. Larry Johnson had difficulty inbounding. Well, we we mentioned earlier that today the one-year anniversary to the day of Jeff Van Gundy's first win as head coach of the Knicks. It's only his second game as headman and led

the Knicks to a blowout of the Bulls here at the guard. Patrick Yuing 26 points in that game with 14 rebounds. The Knicks with a 10472 win. It's Jeff Van Gundy with his good fellow's collar on. Are we taking a shot at the at the apparel of uh of the Nick head coach? >> It was fun talking to Jeff yesterday about what this one year has been like for him. He had no idea what he was going to be involved in and realizes he's made some mistakes, but be sure he's done an outstanding job by

New York. attempt by Oakley. >> 11 points for Oakley and the Knicks lead 6045. Longley Jordan sweeping for the rebound, setting up Pippen for three. And a loose ball foul is called. It's on Rodman. That is his third. And right now, just New York is much more aggressive, much much more active against a good rebounding team. And you just see the the feet planted on the floor, the Chicago Bulls reaching for balls instead of going after them. And the Knicks just out hustling Chicago right now. Alan Houston for three. Rodman's 11th rebound. Houston going chest

to chest with Jordan who's only one of his last 11. Knicks handled him well. Hopper for three >> and a loose ball foul on the Knicks. Push out is called. It is on Yuing. That is his second. And for the Knicks, their third team foul for the Chicago Bulls. This is game one of a fourame road trip. They move on to Boston Tuesday, then play in Philadelphia at New Jersey. Timeout is called. Well, at the GE building, the New York Rangers going through one of their early practices. That's a joke, Matt. Thank you. We were

talking earlier about the significance of today's game. Matchup of the teams with the best records in the NBA, and we talked about that with John Stars. I think it's more important to us than to them. Uh, you know, we have to be realistic about things. Uh, uh, no one's going to catch them, uh, far as getting the best record in the NBA. Uh, our goal is to come in and win and stay ahead of Miami. >> Well, you know, the Bulls, every team comes at them very, very hard, no matter who it is, as Luke

Gley and then Dennis Robin playing volleyball in there, keeping it alive. So, they're used to all the hype surrounding their entrance to a town, but I think the Chicago Bulls would tell you it is special when they come here to Madison Square Garden. This is one of the true rivalries as Dennis Robin and Charles Oakley discussing where they may dine after the game. >> It will not be together. >> Dennis Rodman to the free throw line. He's now three of three at the line. And Oakley called on the foul, his third. The Bulls having their

difficulties here in the third quarter, only one of eight from the field. And they're trailing by 14. >> And this is when the Bulls normally turn up the defensive pressure with a a fullcourt trap after a made free throw. And here it is. They're going to try a little three quarter just to break the rhythm in timing in New York. >> And the Knicks have had difficulty with the pressure. Toronto Raptors very successful against the Knicks with a trap earlier last week. Detroit, >> seven of nine, 18 points. >> And Larry Johnson did a nice

job of breaking the trap, getting the ball in the middle, keeping his poise, and finding the open Yuing. >> Pippen played by Johnson and played well. Shot clock at four and the foul on Johnson. That's his third. It just doesn't look like Larry Johnson should be able to get out on a quick player like Scotty Pippet as he does, but he wisely sends Scotty to his left where he's less effective. He can still go there and then in an effort to block the shot, which he probably didn't need to do, but that's just a natural

reaction after a good defensive play till that point. >> And Scotty Pippen, one of three at the free throw line. He's been hot recently from the field the last nine games averaging 26 a game shooting just under 60% but has not not been able to get it going this evening. The Knicks 62 and the Bulls 47. Again, pressure George moving up on Houston and Child's able to get it across. Just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Yuing. Oh, he took a hit. Took the bump as it was going into the spin move. Foul

committed by Longley. That's four on Luke Longley. >> Luke Longley has really trimmed down. And I understand it at one point coming into this season 18% body fat. It is now down to 12%. That's an amazing drop and it shows in his uh in his body. Larry Johnson. Beautiful move. Seven points for Johnson. The Knicks lead by 17. Here's Pippen. He saw the opening. Yes. And it counts. Scotty Pippen will go to the line. Larry Johnson used to post up all the time when he was with the Charlotte Hornets and you used to have to

come and double team. That was a strong assertive move towards the basket. This time Pippen able to go around Larry Johnson because he caught the ball on the move and had some momentum going forward which has been a rare play for Chicago uh this evening. But Scotty starting to pick it up a little bit in the scoring area. But normally a good rebounder and assist man just one rebound and two assists in about 26 minutes. The big lead is now 14. Child setting up against Harper. >> Shot clock at four. Yuing. Oh, Oakley batting it

away from Longley and was able to deflect it out. Last touch by Hoffer and the crowd reacts to the hustle of Charles Oakley. >> And Phil Jackson can't believe this call as Charles Oakley as he does so well gets down to the floor to try to corral the basket. And why the Knicks get the ball, I don't know. >> Well, Phil also I would think felt that Oakley should have been called for the foul on Long. Nice play by Childs to set it up for Yuing. The Knicks by 16. Chris Childs with his sixth assist.

Just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Jordan, Michael Jordan, who has not had the touch tonight. 15 points in all for Jordan. 6652 New York. Pass intended for Oakley. Jordan putting moves on Houston and then hits. Beautiful series of fakes by Jordan and the Nick lead is down to 12. >> Now Michael can't wait around any longer for his teammates to get something going. He has to make it happen, especially at the offensive end, but he's certainly capable of making it happen also at the defensive end. Charles all the way. That's his first

field goal. Mix 68 and the Bulls 54. Well, at one stretch Jordan had hit only one of 11. Showing some signs here. This time gives it up to Longley. And you could see the reaction of Jordan off that missed shot by Longley. He may not be giving it up so frequently. Oakley wide open. Rodman rebounds. Bulls beginning to pick it up offensively. >> Jordan off the fake. Rebound Harbor and he'll go to the line. >> Coming out in the start of the third quarter, looked like other Bulls were trying to get involved. Not happening. Michael

has to take it on his own now and start being more offensive minded for himself this time on the semi break just waiting waiting to get Allen Houston off his feet. Not nothing special that Allen Houston or the Knicks have been doing to Michael. It's just that he has been playing around in the triangle offense to let other players get involved because he knows he can't go out and score a 30 35 45 50 points uh just anytime he wants to press the button. other players have to get involved and this really points out uh

the absence of Tony Cuck coach just that one extra player who can make things happen for himself and for everybody else. >> K coach has had some outstanding games against the Knicks but usually they have been in Chicago but the the Bulls would love to see Tony back in the lineup with an injured right foot. Nick lead is now 12. They've led by as many as 17. John Starks back on the floor with Charlie Ward. The Nick front line remains the same. Good pressure here by the Bulls and Yuing is fouled. That's five on Longley.

>> So Patrick Yuing to the line. Well, each week on NBA.com, the official website of the NBA, you can participate in a live chat session with an NBA player. This week, the featured guest is reigning NBA Player of the Month and Allstar Game MVP Glenn Rice of the Charlotte Hornets. He has been redhot. Glenn will pay a visit to Cyberspace tomorrow at 400 p.m. Eastern time answering questions from fans around the world. You can visit the online world of the NBA, NBA.com. So Longley sitting down, seven points, >> only two rebounds in his 20 minutes,

five fouls, replaced by Bill Wington. The Knicks 70 and the Bulls 56. Yuing has 22 to lead the Knicks. It was John Starks off the bench to ignite the Knicks in the second quarter. And then Patrick Huing carried the offense the rest of the quarter. Pippen putting moves on Oakley. Pops it out to Harper for three. Rebounded by Pippen. Backing his way on Johnson blast and Ward came up with that loose ball. Has a threeon one. Picked off by Hopper. Fires it down. Jordan with Yuing back. JORDAN AROUND YUING. OH, WHAT A MOVE. and the

foul. And that could get the Bulls going. >> A sensational move by Michael Jordan who will be headed to the line. 221 left in the third. Hicks take the timeout. Ewing stepped away and then Ward came over to make the contact. Well, actually Dennis Rodman forced that turnover from behind on Charlie Ward and Patrick Ewing really out of his element in that situation trying to play Michael Jordan one-on-one open floor. No contest. >> Well, actually, Michael made his first four shots of the game against Allen Houston. scored 13 in the first half and then was

quiet for about the first eight minutes of this third quarter and then starting to pick it up very nicely now. Open floor against Patrick Huitting and an opportunity for a three-point play. He torched Houston early in that first quarter for 11 of his points. Actually, Larry Johnson has even had him a couple of times. So he had four against Chris Childs who also plays him very physically. Three-point play completed by Jordan and the Knicks who led by 17 now lead by 11. Bulls continuing with the pressure defense. Randy Brown has come on defending against Charlie

Ward. Coming up on two minutes remaining in the third quart by Houston leather by Yuing and he's fouled by Wington. So Patrick Yuing going to the finger roll and draws the foul. Wington with his third and Yuing to the line. Six of eight at the line. Well, the Bulls get so little out of their 221 uh trap after free throws, which used to be a staple for them back in the early 90s when Harris Grant was a member of this team as he would play that man out of bounds, come over and and quickly trap

in the back court and really apply a lot of pressure, get deflections, which would enable guys like Jordan and Pippen to get a lot of steals. Dennis Rodman is not that type of player, and they really don't have anybody else that can do that. They just do not do not have that effectiveness of trapping after free throws that they used to. >> Beautiful move as he turned Oakley around. And that's number four by Charles Oakley. Oakley with 11 points, 10 rebounds, five offensive rebounds, but he just right here picked up number four. >> And Jeff

Van Gundy vehemently disagrees with this call by Nolaf Fine. He felt that Scotty Pippen just banged in to Oakley to draw the contact, which is what good offensive players do. But Jeff Van Gundy doesn't think so. >> And Oakley sits down and here's the applause replaced by Buck Williams. Buck Williams did a good job in his 11 minutes in the first half. Buck Williams playing >> with a ruptured tendon in his right middle finger. Uh the injury will still take some time to heal. He's been going with the the left hand quite a bit as

a result. >> And a bad pass. Larry Johnson turns it over. 10-point Nick lead. A minute 40 left in the third. >> Winning up at the high post. Here's Pitman for three. Oh, the rebound is put home. Michael Jordan with 22. And >> Michael looking to do it in a variety of ways with the jump shot not going down. >> And the defensive intensity will pick up right now with Randy Brown who can apply 90 ft pressure. >> Jordan with the steel. Nicks get back and Jordan took a bump from Ward. Nicks over the foul

of it. So Jordan will go to the line. Now, Michael has tried every which way to get his team going and get himself going in this third quarter. Hit the jumper, hit the open floor plays this time, overpowering and outsizing John Starks inside for the putback. >> Michael 84% free throw shooter averaging 30.7 to lead the NBA. Here's Alan Houston checking back in. A reminder, tomorrow a special NBC Monday starting with all new episodes of Foxworthy and Mr. Roads, plus a special Monday, Frraasier, men behaving badly in Dline NBC. That's NBC Monday. That's tomorrow right

here on NBC. >> And Jeff Van Gundy is sensing that the Bulls defense picking up right now has gone with a small lineup and a ball handling one. Larry Johnson at the so-called big forward spot right now is a good ball handler there and he'll be able to handle it some against Dennis Rodman out on the perimeter. Big lead is down to seven as we approach one minute remaining in the third quarter. Mark Albert Matt Dugas and Rashad from Madison Square Garden. the ball back to the Bulls as the Knicks have hit a low >>

and Allen Houston every shot, every jump shot seems to be hitting the front rim for him, which is an indication that he's either tired or he's just not getting his legs into the shot. >> Alan Houston from the field. Here's Jordan slicing his way and fouled by Johnson. Chicago in the midst of an 81 run. Alco meaning business here as he's able to slice right between Buck Williams and John Stark's tongue out means he's thinking throwd down if he can get there. But Larry Johnson with a good hard foul to keep Michael from getting into

a layup or dunk mode. >> Jordan now six of seven at the line. Larry Johnson sitting down after viewing back. Here is Bill Wington for Jason Caffy. So, Phil Jackson doing some shuffling. >> Now, Phil very much concerned that Jason Caffy, although strong at 6'8, not nearly strong enough to keep Patrick Yuing uh from doing any damage in the post. >> So, the ball's chipping away. What once was a 17-point MC lead is now down to five. We're in the closing minute, third quarter. Yuing. Shot clock running down. Oh, Rodman and Williams having words and

bumping each other as they head down court. And a double technical call or double foul. Let's see. >> Oh, they were they're appalling each other pretty good. >> Probably a double double foul. >> Well, two tough rebounders in there going at it and then the talking on on both parts and the arm swinging and pushing and the official Scott Foster wisely blowing the whistle to stop anything right there. and Phil Jackson deciding it's a good time to take Dennis Rodman >> off the floor. Calm things down. Dennis Rodman, 13 rebounds, five points. The Bulls in

the midst of a 10-1 run. We're down to 10 seconds in the quarter. Here's Jordan. Rejected by Puck Williams and Puck running the floor, but goes all the way. He's fouled. He was hammered by Brown. >> Oh, Michael Jordan getting into the lane, looking for a shot or looking to get fouled. Couldn't find a body to bump into. Was Buck Williams coming out of nowhere and a clean block as he starts the fast break for the Knicks. And that the first block in the game for either side. Charlie Ward giving the Knicks a 7266 lead.

5 seconds to go in the third. Crowd reacting to the the block by Buck Williams shown on the big video screen above. >> Bulls have to push it down in a hurry. Final seconds of the quarter. Here's Pippen from deep >> after three. The ball's able to turn it. They are within six. They conclude the third quarter with a 102 run. 17 now lead by six. Remember back the earlier game in Chicago in January, opening minute of the fourth quarter. Chicago led by 17 and then held on to win it by one. Here's Mike Williams

putting the move on Jason Cathy. An air ball and then Cathy comes up with a rebound. Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr out in the back court. Scotty Pippen, Jason Kappy, Bill Wington up front and Jordan being guarded by Starks. Weddingington with the pick and Yuing jumps out to help. Here's Wington. Dumped it off. Shot clock at four. Jordan. Michael Jordan. Check in with Amar for more on Michael Jordan. M. >> All right, Marv. Doing the quarter change. It's normally a time at the beginning of fourth quarter when Michael Jordan sits out to get a little

breather, but he told the coaches that he is ready and wants to stay in the game. As you can see, he's there. Mark, well, he is feeling it. Made the turn late third quarter. Buck Williams foul. Good look from Charlie Ward. The Nick lead is now just 472 68. Jordan called for the foul, his second. And Williams headed to the line. Chris Childs checks back in replacing Charlie Ward. Ward with eight points. >> Buck Williams just a 60% free throw shooter. And a big reason why the Bulls turned things around, especially late in that third

quarter, was free throws going to the line 15 times, making 12 to just four for six to New York, where the Knicks were the more aggressive team in the first half, having the free throw edge. But when the jump shot is not going, you have to take the ball to the basket, look for contact. >> The Nick lead is now six. >> Child's greeting curve in the back court. again. Yuing coming over to help. >> Here's Pippen for three and Starks gets to it. Jordan back. Starks for Mark Williams sent flying. The basket counts and

the foul. looking a little woozy. >> Well, the Knicks have been the better fast breaking team in this game as John Starks finds Buck Williams going hard in on that side and that Jason Cathy unable to do much about it. Make sure he got some body, but not before Buck could get his arms up and make that shot. You don't want to give up a three-point play opportunity there. You want to try to get the player with his arms down below shoulder level so he can't get that shot up. But Jason Kathy just slow to

react WITH THE ROOM IN THE POCKET AND the throw. >> Well, call for the foul. This now a potential fivepoint play for the Knicks. >> Well, Buck is a struggling free throw shooter. You have to anticipate miss even if it's the best free throw shooter in the league. But Bill Wington just got shoved underneath the basket by Patrick Yuing. Unable to rebound when your head is behind the backboard. Yuing completing the three-point play and the Nick lead is now 11. So, five fouls on Longley who are sitting down. Four on Wington who came on the

long defense. Mark Williams jumping out to help Remington. Yes. >> In this fourth quarter, the Knicks doubling up on Jordan and have done an effective job. They've forced him to give up the ball. >> Well, they're making him go so wide and by the time Michael can clear himself, there are open players there. He just is seeing them late. He found Wington on time. Starks rebounded by Rodman. >> Big lead is nine. We're early in the fourth. Rodman open. It's a goalend. The basket will count. Good look by Jordan and the goalend called on Yuing.

>> Now Michael coming up surveying the floor seeing what he has. So Buck Williams out of position. Rodman always around the basket and Patrick Yuing in between two players gets over to Rodman too late and the goalend I always enjoy those musical interludes over your recap and the Knicks with a 7972 lead extends to an 8172 advantage. 28 points for Yuing. Now Jordan running off Starks by Charles trying to help out. And the foul called on Starks, his second. >> Now a timeout is being called. Oh, I hear your your music again. Oh, here's that

little pick and pop play. The Bulls sending it to the baseline. Patrick Yuing finding that little open seam right in his range for the jump shot and the Bulls reacting too slow. >> Donate $1,000 to the Ferood Marshall scholarship fund. Michael Jordan in his 12th NBA season out of North Carolina. Earlier in the year went over 25,000 career points. He accomplished that faster than any player aside from Will Chamberlain and intent on leading the Bulls back here. Although he went through a stretch at one point, hit only one of 11 from the field. Got off

to the fast start, slowed down, but he's picked it up and he's gone away from the jump shot in the second half. Putting moves on Starks >> and it's fielded by Starks. Three minutes have gone by in the fourth quarter. The Knicks with a 9point lead on Chicago. >> Michael a little upset with himself, but you got to give credit to John Starks. Played Michael about as well as you can. And Childs who has been working his way back into it. Looking a bit rusty at the start as you might imagine after sitting out five

games with a sprained wrist. 8372 Knicks. Winningington sets the pick. Here's Pippen for three. And a number of open looks. Not able to hit. Four of 14 from the field. Alan Houston all the way. So the Knicks have reacted well to that Chicago burst. And a timeout called by Phil Jackson. Pippen is now one of seven from downtown. The Knicks lead by 13. are going to clear the right side for Michael Jordan. And John Starks plays him about as tough as he can, doing the right thing, forcing him to his left, making him take a

tough shot. And that is not a good position to be in when Michael Jordan wants to score. And Chris Child finding a hole in the Chicago defense. This is what you always worry about when you're playing the Bulls. How are you going to score? Well, the Knicks have found a lot of ways and it has not been a typical Chicago defensive effort. Four minutes gone by in the fourth quarter. >> Yuing with the rebound. Had it knocked away. Stripped by Rodman. Scotty Pippen is now four of 16. Trying to shoot his way back into it.

And here comes Starks. The Knicks with the ball. They lead by 13. and they led by as many as 17. The Bulls with a rush, but the Knicks have been able to turn it on again here in the fourth. Yuing won't count foul before the shot at 10. And that's number six on Luke Longwood. Long Phil Jackson telling us before the game his big concern was Patrick Euing late in the game. He was hoping that he would not have enough energy. It might not matter because Patrick Yuing has done so much damage in the late

second quarter and the third and the early part of the fourth as Luke Longley just not able to stay with Patrick Yuing. And for the Bulls, only their sixth disqualification on the season. Second time that Longley is fouled out. Yuing receiving a pretty good rest in the second quarter. Jeff Van Gundy making sure that uh his big man stays on the floor. He's had the energy. Patrick Yuing coming off the season high of 39 Friday night in Boston. And Robert Parish has checked in for the first time. So the Knicks open up a 15-point bowl.

13 for starts. >> Jordan with the step going glass. Michael has 29. The Knicks lead 8774. >> And John Starks realized the mistake he made there. He let Michael beat him to his right where he has had some success forcing him left. >> Childs rebounded by Jordan. Starks went for the steal and Jordan able to recover and hit and the Knicks want a timeout. The Knick lead is down to 11 with 647 remaining in the fourth quarter. A sharp execution on side out of bounds. Steve Kerr getting hung up on a pick up high as

John Starks catches in rhythm and lets the jumper fly. And then there's that isolation again. Starks does a good job of pushing Michael out, but uhoh, first step too quick going to his right. And then Starks going for a steal off the dribble. Not quick enough as Michael gathers himself and drains another jump shot. >> Welcome back to Madison Square Garden in New York. 647 to go in the fourth quarter. Chicago with three timeouts, three full in the 20. makes three left. Frank Yuing looking to get the crowd going. Coming into today's game, Chicago with

the number one record in the league at 53 and seven, followed by the Knicks at 46 and 16. The Knicks a half game in front of Detroit and now a full game over Miami. Miami losing earlier to the hot Charlotte Hornets. Here's Yuing spinning. Looked like Rodman got a piece of it. Rodman coming over to help. Michael Jordan putting moves on John Starks >> and rebounded by Buck Williams. >> Houston for three. Well, Alan Houston on the floor in the fourth quarter, which has not always been the case. John Starks has been the man in

the fourth quarter, but Jeff Van Gundy going with Starks and Houston and Childs in a three-gone setup. Locking foul on Starks as the Knicks coming down on offense. Patrick Yuing coming out high to set a pick for Chris Charles. And he just levels Scotty Pippen who had his teeth rattled on the play. But you can see Allan Houston on this play. He gathered himself, got his legs into the shot and drained it. And Allan Houston's in that position where he has to show Jeff Van Gundy a reason why he should play him. And right now

I think Jeff feels comfortable with the matchup. Houston on Pitman who has not been shooting well. >> Now he's missed his last seven shots. Crowd looking for a double double. Jordan with the shot clock rolling down and the foul. Well, the 43-year-old Robert Parish able to get to that rebound on a box out and he was hit by Charles Oakley. Well, NBC tonight, all new All Night starting with an allnew Third Rock and the return of Boston Common and the world premiere thriller Murder Live on NBC tonight. Robert Parish will shoot a pair. Playing only

his 32nd game of the season and at the foul line now only 10 of 18. 21st year in the league. Signed as a free agent back in September. >> Robert Parish seeing some playing time because Luke Longley fouled out. Bill Wington in foul trouble. Five and a half remaining in the fourth quarter. The Knicks night the whole 78. >> I think Phil Jackson would hope that Parish could play Yuing some one-on-one so they wouldn't leave open shooters like that. >> And a loose ball foul against the Bulls. >> It is number four on Rockin. The

Bulls over the foul limit >> now. Scotty Pippen just tried to be aggressive coming down to help Robert Parish, but it left Child's wide open for the shot. And then Rodman and Oakley as they've been banging away at each other along with Buck Williams in there as a big part of this preparation for the Knicks going against Dennis Rodman. Make sure you keep a body on him. And there is assistant coach Bill Cartright who former New York Knick. In fact, he was involved in the trade for Charles Oakley and a guy who over the years

played Hunter Yuing exceptionally well. He would keep off the blocks. He wouldn't allow Euing to get into proper position. Similar situation with Robert Parish in his younger days as a member of the Boston Celtics where Yuing would have would have trouble against Parish. Cartwright played Patrick Huitting so physically and Patrick almost seemed to enjoy it going back to their days as teammates as to what they used to do to one another in practice and Patrick had so much respect for Bill Cartright that he kind of took it of course gave it back as well but

it was always a good matchup. >> Yes, they had a a very friendly relationship going back to their days with the the New York Knicks. Foul on Starks his fourth and Phil Jackson would like to suit up cartright there for today's game. Jordan had the baseline closed by Houston Parish on the recovery and Jordan hits but it will not count. And oh look out Rodman and Yuing face to face now. Rodman already involved earlier with Buck Williams. Patrick Yuing was ushered aside by assistant coach Brennan Malone. They continue the discussion now with Chris Childs between

them as Steve Kerr has the job now as you know both Dennis I should say Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen both have said we are not going to babysit him anymore. We're not going to pull him off people. went up and you can see Jordan and Pippen are about as far away as you can get leaving people like Steve Kerr and Parish to go over and get Rodman away from Patrick. >> Well, a technical foul on Dennis Rodman and a loose ball foul on Rodman off that last play. starts shooting the technical. >> Well, here's

the banging as Dennis Robman put the elbow and arm out which knocked Patrick Yuing down. But Patrick very careful when he came back up to get in the face of Dennis Robin that he kept his arms down so he didn't catch himself with a slap or a punch cuz Patrick Yuing in control of his emotions there. very upset, but he knows what that would mean to him and the New York Knicks in this important stretch drive by getting suspended. The Knick lead is 13 with 457 remaining in the fourth quarter. The big free throw shooting

has been very poor. 60% 18 for 30 make it 18 for 31. Dennis Rodman with rebound number 16. Shot clock down to eight. Here's Jordan with the crossover. Yuing rebounds. Child pushing it down. Oakley with the pick but Jordan able to recover on Child. Now Yuing played by Rodman. Gets it out to Giles for three and Jordan colors that rebound. >> Well, Childs has had a couple of good looks on good feeds from Patrick Euing out of double teams. Unable to knock the shot down. >> Rodman with a nice pass. It counts and the foul.

Beautiful shovel feed. Rodman to Parish. And Parish goes to the line. >> Well, this is what Dennis Rodman can do in the offense. He's a reluctant shooter and scorer, but he realizes that the Bulls have to get some quick scoring here. Able to find Robert Parish underneath on a beautiful feed. The Knicks 91 and the Bulls 80. Bulls able to hang around despite the fact that it has not been an impressive performance. Pushing foul on Pippen. That's four on Pippen. Scotty Pippen only four of 17. The Bulls not able to hit from three-point range. They've

missed nine of the last 10 from downtown. Michael Jordan has not shot well. It's been a game of streaks for Jordan. 12 of 28 overall. >> And Alan Houston giving the Knicks a 12-point lead. Well, Jeff Benundy has said many times that he feels comfortable with any of his top eight coming down at crunch time, but in many cases, Allan Houston has not been one of those eight simply because Jeff Beny concerned about his offense. However, he likes to have on the floor cuz he's a threat for the jump shot in the three-pointer and on

the free throw line. Now Starks defending against Pippen and Houston is back on Jordan. Jordan spinning his way. Had to lay it off to Kerr. And Kerr tripped up. Both teams are over the foul limit. >> Childs picks up number four. Steve Kerr, one of the better free throw shooters in the NBA, 80% this season, is down a bit. So Steve Kerr to the line for the first time. Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson having a little bit of a long distance discussion there on on what's happening out on the floor. And probably the discussion is

what they're going to go to right now defensively. You like to have Steve Kerr out there because he's a three-point threat and can spread the floor for you because who'sever guarding him has to stay with him. And that's a a rare miss for Steve from the free throw line. the all-time leading three-point shooter. His percentage is down a little bit this year. He's usually hovering right around 50%. >> And the Bulls for the game at 39% shooting. Michael Jordan has missed his last three shots. Scotty Pippen has missed his last seven. The Knicks 93, the

Bulls 81. >> Three and a half remaining in the fourth. Here's Starks. He beat Parish. New with the save. And the next regrow. Starks for three. Pulls it up. Now Pippen backing illegal defense against the Knicks. >> And that is their second violation. A technical foul awarded Chicago. >> And Bulls have won the last two, seven of the last nine over the Knicks here in New York. Vicks have won six of the last eight regular season games. >> Now Jeff Van Gundy talking to his team about let's run a little offense, use some clock, let's

investigate what we can off some baseline screens and then put the ball inside. On that last possession, John Starks was looking for the knockout punch on the three-point shot. That collar looking worse and worse. What you say, >> Jeff? Thank God they might as well put the tie in the back of the suit. Knicks lead 9382 with 245 remaining in the fourth quarter. Here is Jordan. Rebound Rodman. Dennis Rodman with his third field goal. He has nine points, 18 rebounds, and the Knick lead is down nine. Childs >> and he's stepped out of bounds. Michael

Jordan trying to do it with the jump shot with the three-pointer. Dennis Rodman. Nobody puts a body on him as it comes right to him. And when you go to the basket as much as he does, you're going to get some easy ones. He certainly has to work hard for a lot. But that one he did. That came right to him. And the chant of defense. Here's Kerr for three. Yes. And the Bulls allowed to hang around and cut it to six with 2 minutes 2 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. The Knicks take

a timeout. >> Noon Eastern. A reminder tonight here on NBC, an allnew Third Rock and the return of Boston Common and then the world premiere thriller Murder Live right here on NBC tonight. It is a six-point Nick lead. They led by as many as 17. The Bulls have been beaten only seven times this season. Six of the seven on the road to one loss at home to Miami on December 7th. The other losses, Utah, Toronto, Atlanta, Houston, the Lakers, and Cleveland 7370 in Cleveland. That's the only loss the last couple of weeks. Bulls have won

11 of the last 12. Chicago in the midst of a 70 run. They were trailing 93 to 80. Child splitting his way through. Coming up short and Kerr with the rebound and Steve Kerr has been a major factor in this comeback. He has hit the big shots and he's also done a decent job defensively. You would expect the Bulls to make a run and they have met this game taking on the tinge of the game a couple of weeks ago, New York at Los Angeles when it appeared the Knicks had it comfortably sewn up but

then couldn't get anything going offensively down the stretch of the fourth quarter. Missed their free throws and had to go to double overtime to finally win it. >> Michael Jordan just 12 of 29. He has 32 points. Four of 17 has really hurt because Jordan looking for the open man and often it's been Scotty Pippen but he has not been able to convert in particular from three-point range and Robert Parish contributing at the foul line now three of four at the line five points in all. Parish fouled by Starks. It's down to five. It is

a four-point Nick lead with a minute and a half to go in the fourth quarter. Here's pressure by Chicago. Well, the Chief, Robert Paris, six points in in six minutes. Pivot all over Giles. Oakland setting the pick. Here's Yuing. Harris digging in. Shot clock at seven. Here's Yuing with the spin. Ducket picks lead 95 89. And Phil Jackson calls for time. 30 points for Patrick Euing. A minute 11 left in the fourth. >> A big reason why the Knicks have won six in a row and seven of eight. This man Patrick Ewing has been the

go-to man and the finisher down the stretch. And Robert Parish left alone to try to play Euing one-on-one. Forced him to take a little bit of a tough shot, but Patrick able to nail it. And Yuing his third straight 30-point ball game. Michael Jordan has played 45 minutes here this evening. Timeout rundown. Chicago 220. Knicks have two full timeouts remaining. Both teams are over the foul limit. The next 95 and the Bulls 89 and the Bulls within range despite the fact that their two star players Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippen have not shot well. Pippen is

four of 17. Jordan 12 for 29. Jordan leading the Bulls with 32 points. Dennis Rodman has 18 rebounds, matching his total of the other night against Indiana. While the Knicks led by Yuing, who has 30 30 points, 14 rebounds, and the Knicks getting balanced, scoring 13 for starts. Hopefully in Houston, he shot 12. Well, in the Bull's last loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers as Mike Saunders, the trainer of the New York Knicks coming out to no doubt clean up some blood out of the floor with the gloves on. But in that Cleveland game, both Scotty

Pippen and Michael Jordan not shooting the ball well and not getting much from their teammates. Pretty much the case here. Even though Michael with those 32 points, 12 for 29, nowhere near what Michael Jordan expects from himself from the field. Rodman will throw in at midcourt. The Knicks with a six-point lead. A minute 10 remaining in the fourth. Jordan with the step glass. 9591. The Knick lead is down to four. And here's pressure. Kerr all over starts. Both clubs are over the foul limit. So the Bulls desperately want to stop here. We're down to 50

seconds. 10 on the shot clock. Oh, bad pass thrown by Charles. Too much on it. Well, and he whipped it from like his left hip where across his body. So Patrick Euan never saw it coming. And by the time he got his hands up, too hot to handle. >> Down to 45 seconds. Chicago with the ball trailing by four. The Knicks have led by as many as 17. Kevin trying to find Jordan. Jordan guarded by Houston. Oakley open to help. Jordan with the left hand set up. IT'S DOWN TO TWO. MICHAEL Jordan brings the balls

within two. 29 and 210 seconds remaining in the fourth and the Knicks call for time. At one point, the Knicks led 9380 with 355 remaining. But this is Michael Jordan's time. First, he goes blast from the right side and then able to set up with the left hand putting the move on Allen Houston and heading to Cutter 2. will return after these messages from your local station. The Chicago Bulls with a 13-2 run. Michael Jordan with the last two field goals. He now has 36 points. The Knicks are down to one timeout remaining. Chicago with

two and a 20 29 and 210 seconds to go and it will be New York ball. And the man that wants the ball in this situation is Patrick Euing. He will usually get his hands on it. The question is, will the Bulls play him one-on-one or double team him and try to force the turnover by knocking the ball out of his hand? Starks moving on curve. Both clubs are over the foul limit. Down to 15 seconds. 10 on the shot clock. Nick's using the top and shot and Milling with some words for the Chicago B.

That was a tough angle and I believe he got a piece of the glass. >> He did and did not call it, but he'll take it. But a smart play there by Patrick Fueling against Robert Parish. Instead of staying in on the post up where it would be congested, maybe a double team, they nook the clock down to about 8 seconds. And when Patrick catches faces up on Robert Parish looking for drive or shot and this thing just took the side of the backboard and looks over to the bench as assistant coach Frank Hamlin saying

are you kidding me off the glass from that angle. Here it is again as Patrick dead flat and it does it. It did on live action certainly catch the side of the glass and the Bulls bench could see all of that. Just nicked the glass from a a tough angle from the corner. The ball's calling for time with seven and 7/10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. And when we resume it will be Chicago ball down by four points. So, they need a quick hoop and obviously a a steal or perhaps take a take a

shot of putting the Knicks at the foul line. >> And even though it's only 7.7 seconds, you don't necessarily need a three-point shot. The quickest score you can get and then the Steeler foul. >> And Chicago four of 16 from three-point range. The Bulls led by Michael Jordan 36 points. Although it has not been one of his exceptional ball games, a very streaky game for Michael who played most of the way. Dennis Rodman with 18 rebounds. Scotty Pippen just four of 17 from the field. Patrick Hilling high man for the Knicks with 32. Three straight

30 plus games along with 14 rebounds. Charles Oakley, 12 points, 10 rebounds. and Allan Houston with 12 points. So, the Bulls are facing the prospect of their eighth defeat of the season. >> That is a very select group accounting for the the seven wins over Chicago. The Bulls at 53 and seven, the best record in the NBA. Seven and 7 seconds remaining. Fourth quarter. Rodman inbounding finding Pippen and he fires the three. Apparently hoping to get foul. Here's Robin backing it up. It's all over. The Knicks have even the series at one a piece from

Chicago. 97 93.