# 1987–88 Chicago Bulls season

The 1987–88 Chicago Bulls season was the 22nd season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Bulls finished second in the Central Division with a 50–32 record. Michael Jordan was named the league's Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. He also won the All-Star Game MVP and Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend, which was held in Chicago. In the first round of the playoffs, the Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games, but lost to the Detroit Pistons in five games in the semifinals. Following the season, Charles Oakley was traded to the New York Knicks. The Bulls had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.

## NBA draft

Note: This is not an extensive list; it only covers the first round, and notable post-first-round picks.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 8 | Olden Polynice (traded to Seattle) | C | Haiti | Virginia |
| 1 | 10 | Horace Grant | PF | United States | Clemson |
| 2 | 28 | Rickie Winslow | F | United States | Houston |
| 4 | 79 | Jack Haley | C | United States | UCLA |

## Regular season

Jordan was indisputably great, and Oakley, who led the league in total rebounds (1,066), was outstanding. Still, the Bulls lacked a quality supporting cast. They took a major step toward alleviating that problem at the 1987 NBA draft, when Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause acquired two players who would be vital cogs in Chicago's future championship machine. With two picks in the top 10, Krause selected Olden Polynice at No. 8 and Horace Grant at No. 10. He then traded Polynice and draft considerations to the Seattle SuperSonics for Scottie Pippen, whom the Sonics had grabbed with the fifth pick.
With Grant and Pippen on board the Bulls began to show their stuff in 1987–88, forging a 50–32 record, their best mark since 1973-74. Chicago finished in a second-place tie with Atlanta in a competitive Central Division won by the surging Detroit Pistons. The Bulls made some noise in the playoffs, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a five-game first-round series, but then fell to Detroit in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Oakley and the Los Angeles Clippers' Michael Cage engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle for the league's rebounding title, which came down to the last day of the regular season. On April 22 against Cleveland, Oakley put the pressure on Cage by pulling down 35 rebounds, the second-highest total in Bulls history behind Tom Boerwinkle's 37 in 1970. Two days later, however, Cage grabbed 30 boards in a game against Seattle, just enough to edge Oakley by the slimmest of margins, 13.03 per game to 13.00. Cage played in 10 fewer games than Oakley, however, so Oakley led the NBA in total rebounds for the second consecutive year, with 1,066.
Jordan led the league in scoring (35.0 ppg) and steals (3.16 per game). He won almost every major award, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA First Team Honors and NBA All-Defensive First Team Honors. However, the finals and most important prizes eluded him until the 1990–1991 season.

### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | – | 34–7 | 20–21 | 20–10 |
| x-Chicago Bulls | 50 | 32 | .610 | 4 | 30–11 | 20–21 | 16–13 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 4 | 30-11 | 20-21 | 16–13 |
| x-Milwaukee Bucks | 42 | 40 | .512 | 12 | 30–11 | 12–29 | 13–17 |
| x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 12 | 31–10 | 11–30 | 11–19 |
| Indiana Pacers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 16 | 25–16 | 13–28 | 13–17 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | c-Boston Celtics | 57 | 25 | .695 | – |
| 2 | y-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 3 |
| 3 | x-Chicago Bulls | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7 |
| 4 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7 |
| 5 | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 42 | 40 | .512 | 15 |
| 6 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 15 |
| 7 | x-Washington Bullets | 38 | 44 | .463 | 19 |
| 8 | x-New York Knicks | 38 | 44 | .463 | 19 |
| 9 | Indiana Pacers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 19 |
| 10 | Philadelphia 76ers | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 |
| 11 | New Jersey Nets | 19 | 63 | .232 | 38 |

### Record vs. opponents

1987-88 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIL | NJN | NYK | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 2–4 | 2–3 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 5–0 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 |
| Boston | 4–2 | — | 3–3 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 |
| Chicago | 3–2 | 3–3 | — | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 3–2 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 |
| Cleveland | 1–5 | 3–2 | 3–3 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 6–0 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 3–3 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 3–2 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | — | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 2–0 |
| Detroit | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 0–2 | — | 0–5 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–5 | 1–4 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 5–0 | — | 2–0 | 3–2 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–1 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 3–2 | 3–3 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 2–4 | 0–5 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 2–3 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 2–3 | 1–1 | — | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 0–6 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 1–5 | 1–4 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 4–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 5–0 | 4–2 | 4–1 | 1–1 |
| Milwaukee | 3–3 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 3–2 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–1 |
| New Jersey | 0–5 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–3 | — | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–6 |
| New York | 3–3 | 1–5 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | — | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 |
| Philadelphia | 0–6 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 |
| Phoenix | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–5 | 2–3 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 0–6 | 3–2 | 2–3 | 2–4 | 2–3 | 0–2 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–4 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 6–0 | — | 4–1 | 5–0 | 3–3 | 1–4 | 2–0 |
| Sacramento | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–4 | — | 3–3 | 1–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 |
| San Antonio | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 5–0 | 0–5 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 0–5 | 3–3 | — | 3–2 | 3–3 | 0–2 |
| Seattle | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–3 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–3 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–1 | 2–3 | — | 1–4 | 2–0 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 4–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 1–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 4–1 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–1 | — | 2–0 |
| Washington | 3–3 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–4 | 6–0 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — |

## Game log
### Regular season

1987–88 game log Total: 50–32 (home: 30–11; road: 20–21) :
November: 10–3 (home: 4–2; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
November 7, 1987
Philadelphia
W 104–94
Chicago Stadium
1–0
2
November 10, 1987 7:00 p.m. CST
@ Atlanta
W 105–95
Jordan (29)
Oakley (15)
Jordan (7)
The Omni 16,451
2–0
3
November 11, 1987
@ New Jersey
W 105–96
Brendan Byrne Arena
3–0
4
November 13, 1987
New Jersey
W 117–103
Chicago Stadium
4–0
5
November 14, 1987
Indiana
L 110–101
Chicago Stadium
4–1
6
November 17, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
Washington
W 105–101
Jordan (26)
Oakley (21)
Paxson (8)
Chicago Stadium 17,081
5–1
7
November 18, 1987 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Washington
W 84–82
Jordan (30)
Oakley (24)
Jordan (8)
Capital Centre 13,721
6–1
8
November 20, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
Atlanta
W 94–92
Jordan (33)
Oakley (17)
Jordan, Paxson (7)
Chicago Stadium 18,423
7–1
9
November 21, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
Detroit
L 132–144 (OT)
Jordan (49)
Oakley (12)
Jordan (8)
Chicago Stadium 18,466
7–2
10
November 23, 1987 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Boston (at Hartford)
W 107–102
Jordan (31)
Jordan (10)
Paxson (6)
Hartford Civic Center 15,134
8–2
11
November 25, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
@ Milwaukee
W 103–101
Jordan (33)
Oakley (14)
Jordan (6)
MECCA Arena 11,052
9–2
12
November 27, 1987 7:00 p.m. CST
@ Dallas
L 93–94
Jordan (26)
Oakley (17)
Jordan (9)
Reunion Arena 17,007
9–3
13
November 28, 1987
@ Houston
W 98–86
The Summit
10–3 :
December: 5–9 (home: 3–3; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
14
December 1, 1987
@ Golden State
W 98–97
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
11–3
15
December 2, 1987 8:30 p.m. CST
@ Utah
W 105–101
Jordan (47)
Oakley (9)
Jordan (9)
Salt Palace Acord Arena 12,212
12–3
16
December 4, 1987 8:30 p.m. CST
@ Denver
L 89–105
Jordan (23)
Oakley (18)
Paxson (6)
McNichols Sports Arena 17,022
12–4
17
December 5, 1987
@ San Antonio
L 101–110
HemisFair Arena
12–5
18
December 8, 1987
Philadelphia
L 96–109
Chicago Stadium
12–6
19
December 10, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
Milwaukee
W 111–105
Jordan (32)
Oakley (13)
Oakley (8)
Chicago Stadium 17,820
13–6
20
December 12, 1987
Houston
W 112–103
Chicago Stadium
14–6
21
December 15, 1987 7:00 p.m. CST
@ Detroit
L 123–127 (OT)
Jordan (38)
Oakley (17)
Jordan (12)
Pontiac Silverdome 23,729
14–7
22
December 17, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
Cleveland
W 111–100
Jordan (52)
Corzine (9)
Paxson (13)
Chicago Stadium 17,650
15–7
23
December 19, 1987 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Washington
L 96–109
Jordan (30)
Oakley (16)
Jordan (7)
Capital Centre 14,353
15–8
24
December 22, 1987 7:00 p.m. CST
Dallas
L 100–111
Jordan (28)
Oakley (10)
Paxson (9)
Chicago Stadium 18,103
15–9
25
December 23, 1987
@ New York
L 89–90
Madison Square Garden
15–10
26
December 26, 1987
@ Indiana
L 92–106
Market Square Arena
15–11
27
December 29, 1987 7:30 p.m. CST
Atlanta
L 98–108
Jordan (39)
Oakley (13)
Jordan (6)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
15–12 :
January: 11–4 (home: 10–1; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
28
January 2, 1988
New Jersey
W 116–93
Chicago Stadium
16–12
29
January 5, 1988
Indiana
W 93–77
Chicago Stadium
17–12
30
January 7, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Denver
W 100–96
Jordan (28)
Oakley (14)
Sparrow (8)
Chicago Stadium 17,590
18–12
31
January 9, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Utah
W 113–91
Jordan (45)
Oakley (15)
Jordan (8)
Chicago Stadium 17,877
19–12
32
January 12, 1988 7:00 p.m. CST
Boston
L 97–104
Jordan (42)
Oakley (11)
Oakley (8)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
19–13
33
January 14, 1988 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Cleveland
L 88–91 (OT)
Jordan (28)
Oakley (17)
Jordan (7)
Richfield Coliseum 16,648
19–14
34
January 16, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Detroit
W 115–99
Jordan (36)
Jordan, Oakley (10)
Jordan (10)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
20–14
35
January 18, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Washington
W 117–103
Jordan (33)
Oakley (10)
Jordan (7)
Chicago Stadium 17,767
21–14
36
January 19, 1988 7:00 p.m. CST
@ Atlanta
L 94–106
Jordan (38)
Corzine (11)
Threatt (5)
The Omni 16,451
21–15
37
January 22, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Phoenix
W 118–108
Chicago Stadium
22–15
38
January 23, 1988
Golden State
W 121–94
Chicago Stadium
23–15
39
January 26, 1988
@ Indiana
L 93–97
Market Square Arena
23–16
40
January 27, 1988
@ Philadelphia
W 119–109 (OT)
The Spectrum
24–16
41
January 29, 1988
New Jersey
W 120–93
Chicago Stadium
25–16
42
January 30, 1988
New York
W 97–95 (OT)
Chicago Stadium
26–16 :
February: 5–9 (home: 3–3; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
43
February 1, 1988
@ Sacramento
L 95–97
ARCO Arena
26–17
44
February 2, 1988 9:30 p.m. CST
@ L.A. Lakers
L 101–110
Jordan (39)
Grant (8)
Jordan, Pippen, Threatt (4)
The Forum 17,505
26–18
45
February 4, 1988
@ Phoenix
W 113–101
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
27–18
All-Star Break
46
February 9, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Detroit
L 74–89
Jordan (20)
Oakley (13)
Jordan (9)
Chicago Stadium 17,846
27–19
47
February 10, 1988
@ New Jersey
L 84–93
Brendan Byrne Arena
27–20
48
February 12, 1988 8:00 p.m. CST
@ Milwaukee
W 95–93
Jordan (27)
Oakley (14)
Jordan (8)
MECCA Arena 11,052
28–20
49
February 13, 1988 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Detroit
L 73–82
Jordan (27)
Oakley (10)
Oakley, Paxson, Sparrow, Threatt (4)
Pontiac Silverdome 40,369
28–21
50
February 15, 1988 12:30 p.m. CST
Atlanta
W 126–107
Jordan (32)
Jordan (13)
Jordan, Sellers (8)
Chicago Stadium 17,704
29–21
51
February 19, 1988
Sacramento
W 116–101
Chicago Stadium
30–21
52
February 21, 1988 12 Noon CST
@ Cleveland
L 111–113
Jordan (46)
Corzine (9)
Jordan (9)
Richfield Coliseum 20,089
30–22
53
February 23, 1988
Seattle
W 104–97 (OT)
Chicago Stadium
31–22
54
February 26, 1988
Portland
L 96–104
Chicago Stadium
33–21
55
February 27, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Milwaukee
L 91–94
Jordan (38)
Oakley (12)
Vincent (9)
Chicago Stadium 18,243
33–22
56
February 29, 1988
@ Philadelphia
L 101–102
The Spectrum
33–23 :
March: 10–4 (home: 7–0; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
57
March 3, 1988
Philadelphia
W 97–93
Chicago Stadium
33–24
58
March 5, 1988
L.A. Clippers
W 100–76
Chicago Stadium
34–24
59
March 7, 1988
@ New York
L 98–110
Madison Square Garden
34–25
60
March 10, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
L.A. Lakers
W 128–107
Jordan (38)
Grant, Oakley (11)
Vincent (11)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
35–25
61
March 12, 1988
San Antonio
W 112–92
Chicago Stadium
36–25
62
March 15, 1988 7:00 p.m. CST
Cleveland
W 108–89
Jordan (38)
Oakley (14)
Vincent (11)
Chicago Stadium 17,752
37–25
63
March 16, 1988 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Washington
L 103–106
Jordan (25)
Oakley (9)
Vincent (7)
Capital Centre 16,515
37–26
64
March 18, 1988 7:30 p.m. CST
Boston
W 113–103
Jordan (50)
Oakley (12)
Jordan (9)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
38–26
65
March 20, 1988 12 Noon CST
@ Boston
L 107–137
Jordan (26)
Oakley (9)
Jordan (7)
Boston Garden 14,890
38–27
66
March 23, 1988
@ Philadelphia
W 118–102
The Spectrum
39–27
67
March 25, 1988 6:30 p.m. CST
@ Cleveland
W 111–110 (OT)
Jordan (39)
Oakley (19)
Vincent (8)
Richfield Coliseum 19,876
40–27
68
March 26, 1988
Indiana
W 109–100
Chicago Stadium
41–27
69
March 29, 1988
@ Seattle
L 103–106
Seattle Center Coliseum
41–28
70
March 30, 1988
@ L.A. Clippers
W 111–94
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
41–29 :
April: 9–3 (home: 3–2; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
71
April 1, 1988
@ Portland
W 116–101
Memorial Coliseum
42–29
72
April 3, 1988 12:30 p.m. CDT
@ Detroit
W 112–110
Jordan (59)
Corzine (12)
Vincent (13)
Pontiac Silverdome 23,712
43–29
73
April 5, 1988 7:30 p.m. CDT
Washington
L 94–105
Jordan (29)
Oakley (8)
Vincent (9)
Chicago Stadium 17,773
44–29
74
April 6, 1988 7:30 p.m. CDT
@ Milwaukee
W 119–110
Jordan (37)
Oakley (12)
Jordan (6)
MECCA Arena 11,052
44–30
75
April 8, 1988
New York
W 131–122
Chicago Stadium
45–30
76
April 14, 1988
@ Indiana
W 116–110
Market Square Arena
46–30
77
April 15, 1988
@ New Jersey
W 100–99
Brendan Byrne Arena
47–30
78
April 17, 1988 12:30 p.m. CDT
Milwaukee
W 105–97
Jordan (44)
Oakley (14)
Vincent (10)
Chicago Stadium 18,551
48–30
79
April 19, 1988
@ New York
W 121–118
Madison Square Garden
49–30
80
April 21, 1988 6:30 p.m. CDT
@ Boston
L 119–126
Jordan (39)
Oakley (17)
Vincent (9)
Boston Garden 14,890
49–31
81
April 22, 1988 7:30 p.m. CDT
Cleveland
L 103–107
Jordan, Oakley (26)
Oakley (35)
Jordan, Vincent (7)
Chicago Stadium 17,726
49–32
82
April 24, 1988 2:30 p.m. CDT
Boston
W 115–108
Jordan (46)
Oakley (21)
Jordan, Vincent (6)
Chicago Stadium 18,636
50–32 :
1987–88 schedule :

### Playoffs

1988 playoff game log :
Eastern Conference First Round: 3–2 (home: 3–0; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 28, 1988 7:00 p.m. CDT
Cleveland
W 104–93
Jordan (50)
Oakley (15)
Paxson (7)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
1–0
2
May 1, 1988 2:30 p.m. CDT
Cleveland
W 106–101
Jordan (55)
Oakley (12)
Vincent (14)
Chicago Stadium 18,645
2–0
3
May 3, 1988 7:00 p.m. CDT
@ Cleveland
L 102–110
Jordan (38)
Oakley (9)
Jordan (9)
Richfield Coliseum 20,068
2–1
4
May 5, 1988 7:00 p.m. CDT
@ Cleveland
L 91–97
Jordan (44)
Oakley (10)
Vincent (5)
Richfield Coliseum 20,026
2–2
5
May 8, 1988 12 Noon CDT
Cleveland
W 107–101
Jordan (39)
Oakley (20)
Sparrow (7)
Chicago Stadium 18,008
3–2 :
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1–4 (home: 0–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 10, 1988 7:30 p.m. CDT
@ Detroit
L 82–93
Jordan (29)
Oakley (13)
Jordan (6)
Pontiac Silverdome 18,312
0–1
2
May 12, 1988 7:00 p.m. CDT
@ Detroit
W 105–95
Jordan (36)
Oakley (12)
Pippen, Vincent (5)
Pontiac Silverdome 20,281
1–1
3
May 14, 1988 12 Noon CDT
Detroit
L 79–101
Jordan (24)
Oakley (12)
Vincent (6)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
1–2
4
May 15, 1988 2:30 p.m. CDT
Detroit
L 77–96
Jordan (23)
Oakley (10)
Jordan (5)
Chicago Stadium 18,676
1–3
5
May 18, 1988 7:00 p.m. CDT
@ Detroit
L 95–102
Jordan (25)
Oakley (15)
Jordan, Paxson (8)
Pontiac Silverdome 21,371
1–4 :
1988 schedule :

## Player statistics
### Playoffs

Charles Oakley 14.3 ppg 15.6 reb 1.3 stl 2.4 blk 2.3 to

## Awards and records

* Michael Jordan, NBA Most Valuable Player Award
* Michael Jordan, NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest Winner
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
* Jerry Krause, NBA Executive of the Year Award
* Michael Jordan, All-NBA First Team
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Star Game

## Transactions

1st Round, 8th overall Center Olden Polynice was drafted by the Bulls, but traded that same night with draft picks to the Seattle SuperSonics and the rights to the 5th overall pick Forward Scottie Pippen and draft picks.
Forward Horace Grant was drafted in the 1st Round, 10th overall by the Bulls.