Chicago Bulls – Orlando Magic | 1996 Playoffs | ECF Game 2: The great escape

In a city that fully believes a championship parade permit is nothing more than paperwork with a date to be filled in, the Chicago Bulls took a loud, convincing step toward the NBA finals tonight. They overcame an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat Orlando, 93-88, and take a 2-0 lead in the four-of-seven-game Eastern Conference finals. With a pressing defensive effort that was disciplined and ferocious all at once, the Bulls added one more remarkable achievement to a record-breaking season. In tonight’s magic act, the Bulls made a dominant player disappear. Shaquille O’Neal was held to 10 points and 5 rebounds in the second half, including a meaningless dunk with 5 seconds to play, after powering his way to 26 points and 11 rebounds before halftime. Surprised by Chicago double-teams in the second half, and handicapped by a backcourt that was prevented from getting him the ball nearly enough down the stretch, O’Neal produced only three shots in the fourth quarter. He made all three, but he could not make enough. Michael Jordan scored 35 points (on 9-for-21 shooting, along with 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and a block), 25 in the second half, after a 3-for-10 first-half effort that made his pre-game acceptance of the league’s most valuable player award seem like a cruel joke. But Jordan’s defensive play was just as decisive on a night when he was forced to deal with cramps in the final minutes. “It’s a crucial time of the game,” Jordan said. “What am I supposed to do …
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