# 1996–97 Chicago Bulls season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Bulls' 31st season in the National Basketball Association. The Bulls entered the season as defending NBA champions, having defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals in six games, winning their fourth NBA championship. During the off-season, the Bulls signed 43-year old free agent All-Star center Robert Parish, who won three championships with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s. Coming off of one of the greatest seasons in NBA history, the Bulls, on the backs of recording another first-place finish in their division and conference, repeated as NBA champions. The Bulls were led by Michael Jordan, perennial All-Star small forward Scottie Pippen, and rebound ace Dennis Rodman; other notable players on the club's roster that year were clutch-specialist Croatian Toni Kukoč, and sharp-shooting point guard Steve Kerr.
The Bulls got off to a fast start winning their first twelve games of the season, while posting a 42–6 record before the All-Star break. In April, the team signed free agent Brian Williams, who previously played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, and spent most of the 1996–97 season as a free agent; Williams played in the final nine games of the regular season as a backup center for the Bulls. Though, the Bulls look to make history against the New York Knicks in their final regular season game of the year, Pippen missed a game-winning three-pointer and they finished in first place in the Central Division, and in the Eastern Conference with a 69–13 record, just missing out on becoming the first team in NBA history to have back-to-back 70 wins seasons. The Bulls had the fourth best team defensive rating in the NBA.
Jordan led the league in scoring once again, averaging 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, while Pippen averaged 20.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and was selected to the All-NBA Second Team; both Jordan and Pippen were named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Rodman led the league with 16.1 rebounds per game, but only played 55 games due to suspensions and injuries, such as serving an 11-game suspension for kicking a cameraman during a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 15, 1997, and a knee injury which caused him to miss the final 13 games of the regular season.
Meanwhile, Kukoč provided scoring off the bench, averaging 13.2 points per game, but only played 57 games due to a foot injury, while Luc Longley provided the team with 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Kerr contributed 8.1 points per game off the bench, while shooting .464 in three-point field goal percentage, second-year forward Jason Caffey averaged 7.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, starting at power forward in a few games during Rodman's suspension, and Ron Harper contributed 6.3 points and 2.5 assists per game.
During the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, Ohio, Jordan and Pippen were both selected for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game, which would be Pippen's seventh and final All-Star appearance, and in which Jordan recorded the first triple-double in an All-Star Game with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists; Kerr also won the Three-Point Shootout. Jordan also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Pippen finished in eleventh place; Pippen finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Jordan finished in fifth place, and Kukoč finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
In the playoffs, the Bulls would sweep the Washington Bullets in three straight games in the Eastern Conference First Round. In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks in five games, despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 103–95. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they defeated the Miami Heat in five games to advance to the NBA Finals, where they defeated regular season MVP Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz in six games for their fifth title in seven years.
Following the season, Parish retired after 21 seasons in the NBA, while Williams signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons, and Dickey Simpkins was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

## Offseason
### NBA draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 29 | Travis Knight | C | United States | UConn |

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Chicago Bulls | 69 | 13 | .841 | – | 39–2 | 30–11 | 24–4 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 13 | 36–5 | 20–21 | 17–11 |
| x-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | 30–11 | 24–17 | 17–11 |
| x-Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | 30–11 | 24–17 | 14–14 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 | 25–16 | 17–24 | 13–15 |
| Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 | 21–20 | 18–23 | 11–17 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 36 | 20–21 | 13–28 | 10–18 |
| Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 39 | 18–23 | 12–29 | 6–22 |
1996–97 NBA East standings :
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Chicago Bulls | 69 | 13 | .841 | – |
| 2 | y-Miami Heat | 61 | 21 | .744 | 8 |
| 3 | x-New York Knicks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 12 |
| 4 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 13 |
| 5 | x-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 |
| 6 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 |
| 7 | x-Orlando Magic | 45 | 37 | .549 | 24 |
| 8 | x-Washington Bullets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 25 |
| 9 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 |
| 11 | Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 36 |
| 12 | Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 39 |
| 13 | New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 43 |
| 14 | Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 60 | .268 | 47 |
| 15 | Boston Celtics | 15 | 67 | .183 | 54 |

### Record vs. opponents

1996–97 NBA records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | VAN | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| Boston | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 |
| Charlotte | 3–1 | 4–0 | — | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Chicago | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| Cleveland | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | — | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Milwaukee | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Minnesota | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| New York | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Orlando | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Philadelphia | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| San Antonio | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Toronto | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Vancouver | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 1–1 |
| Washington | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log
### Regular season

1996–97 game log Total: 69–13 (Home: 39–2; Road: 30–11) :
November: 15–1 (home: 6–0; road: 9–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
November 1
@ Boston
W 107–98
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Toni Kukoč (7)
FleetCenter 18,624
1–0
2
November 2
Philadelphia
W 115–86
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Scottie Pippen (9)
United Center 24,040
2–0
3
November 5
Vancouver
W 96–73
Michael Jordan (22)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Scottie Pippen (8)
United Center 23,726
3–0
4
November 6
@ Miami
W 106–100
Michael Jordan (50)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Scottie Pippen (5)
Miami Arena 15,200
4–0
5
November 8
@ Detroit
W 98–80
3 players tied (16)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Michael Jordan (8)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
5–0
6
November 9
Boston
W 104–92
Michael Jordan (27)
Scottie Pippen (12)
Scottie Pippen (11)
United Center 23,813
6–0
7
November 11
Phoenix
W 97–79
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,807
7–0
8
November 13
Miami
W 103–71
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Brown & Kukoč (4)
United Center 23,889
8–0
9
November 15
@ Charlotte
W 110–87
Michael Jordan (38)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (7)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
9–0
10
November 16
Atlanta
W 97–69
Michael Jordan (25)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,939
10–0
11
November 20
@ Phoenix
W 113–99
Jordan & Pippen (37)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (7)
America West Arena 19,023
11–0
12
November 21
@ Denver
W 110–92
Michael Jordan (31)
3 players tied (7)
Pippen & Rodman (5)
McNichols Sports Arena 17,171
12–0
13
November 23
@ Utah
L 100–105
Michael Jordan (44)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Michael Jordan (4)
Delta Center 19,911
12–1
14
November 25
@ L.A. Clippers
W 88–84
Michael Jordan (40)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Kukoč & Pippen (4)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16,144
13–1
15
November 29
@ Dallas
W 116–97
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Reunion Arena 18,042
14–1
16
November 30
@ San Antonio
W 97–88
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Alamodome 37,058
15–1 :
December: 12–3 (home: 8–1; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
17
December 3
@ Milwaukee
W 107–104
Michael Jordan (40)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Jordan & Pippen (6)
Bradley Center 18,717
16–1
18
December 5
L.A. Clippers
W 114–96
Scottie Pippen (25)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (12)
United Center 23,687
17–1
19
December 7
Miami
L 80–83
Michael Jordan (37)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Scottie Pippen (5)
United Center 23,861
17–2
20
December 8
@ Toronto
L 89–97
Scottie Pippen (28)
Dennis Rodman (11)
Michael Jordan (8)
SkyDome 33,385
17–3
21
December 11
Minnesota
W 103–86
Michael Jordan (27)
Scottie Pippen (9)
Scottie Pippen (8)
United Center 23,505
18–3
22
December 13
@ New Jersey
W 113–92
Michael Jordan (32)
Bill Wennington (8)
Jordan & Pippen (6)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
19–3
23
December 14
Charlotte
W 87–82
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (23)
Jordan & Pippen (5)
United Center 23,771
20–3
24
December 17
L.A. Lakers
W 129–123 (OT)
Scottie Pippen (35)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Scottie Pippen (6)
United Center 23,919
21–3
25
December 19
@ Charlotte
W 93–72
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Dennis Rodman (5)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
22–3
26
December 21
@ Philadelphia
W 111–105
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Scottie Pippen (7)
CoreStates Center 20,918
23–3
27
December 23
New Jersey
W 113–81
Michael Jordan (24)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (5)
United Center 23,601
24–3
28
December 25
Detroit
W 95–83
Scottie Pippen (27)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Kukoč & Pippen (8)
United Center 23,744
25–3
29
December 26
@ Atlanta
L 103–108
Michael Jordan (34)
Parish & Rodman (10)
Ron Harper (4)
Omni Coliseum 16,378
25–4
30
December 28
Cleveland
W 102–97
Michael Jordan (45)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (6)
United Center 23,792
26–4
31
December 30
Indiana
W 81–79
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Scottie Pippen (5)
United Center 23,692
27–4 :
January: 13–1 (home: 7–0; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
32
January 3
Orlando
W 110–89
Michael Jordan (22)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Ron Harper (7)
United Center 23,904
28–4
33
January 6
Utah
W 102–89
Scottie Pippen (24)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Toni Kukoč (6)
United Center 23,904
29–4
34
January 10
@ Milwaukee
W 116–101
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (26)
3 players tied (5)
Bradley Center 18,717
30–4
35
January 11
Houston
W 110–86
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Jordan & Pippen (7)
United Center 24,196
31–4
36
January 14
Washington
W 108–107
Michael Jordan (39)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Scottie Pippen (8)
United Center 23,891
32–4
37
January 15
@ Minnesota
W 112–102
Scottie Pippen (29)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Toni Kukoč (7)
Target Center 20,113
33–4
38
January 17
Milwaukee
W 100–73
Jordan & Kukoč (24)
Luc Longley (8)
Michael Jordan (11)
United Center 23,898
34–4
39
January 19
@ Houston
L 86–102
Michael Jordan (26)
Michael Jordan (14)
Scottie Pippen (7)
The Summit 16,285
34–5
40
January 21
New York
W 88–87
Michael Jordan (51)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Scottie Pippen (9)
United Center 23,902
35–5
41
January 23
@ Cleveland
W 87–71
Michael Jordan (32)
Scottie Pippen (12)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
36–5
42
January 25
Toronto
W 110–98
Michael Jordan (24)
Jason Caffey (6)
Toni Kukoč (13)
United Center 23,913
37–5
43
January 28
@ Vancouver
W 111–96
Michael Jordan (28)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Toni Kukoč (11)
General Motors Place 19,193
38–5
44
January 30
@ Sacramento
W 111–93
Michael Jordan (32)
Luc Longley (11)
Kukoč & Pippen (6)
ARCO Arena 17,317
39–5
45
January 31
@ Golden State
W 115–92
Scottie Pippen (32)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Michael Jordan (8)
San Jose Arena 18,748
40–5 :
February: 10–2 (home: 6–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
46
February 2
@ Seattle
W 91–84
Michael Jordan (45)
Michael Jordan (7)
Toni Kukoč (9)
KeyArena 17,072
41–5
47
February 4
@ Portland
W 88–84
Michael Jordan (36)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Toni Kukoč (5)
Rose Garden 21,538
42–5
48
February 5
@ L.A. Lakers
L 90–106
Michael Jordan (27)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Scottie Pippen (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
42–6
All-Star Break
49
February 11
Charlotte
W 103–100
Michael Jordan (43)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,884
43–6
50
February 14
@ Atlanta
W 89–88
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Jordan & Pippen (4)
Omni Coliseum 16,378
44–6
51
February 16
Orlando
W 110–89
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Scottie Pippen (11)
United Center 23,919
45–6
52
February 18
Denver
W 134–123
Scottie Pippen (47)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Michael Jordan (12)
United Center 23,874
46–6
53
February 21
@ Washington
W 103–99
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Scottie Pippen (7)
US Airways Arena 18,756
47–6
54
February 22
Golden State
W 120–87
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Harper & Kerr (7)
United Center 23,917
48–6
55
February 24
Portland
W 116–89
Michael Jordan (37)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Scottie Pippen (11)
United Center 23,841
49–6
56
February 27
@ Cleveland
L 70–73
Michael Jordan (23)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Michael Jordan (4)
Gund Arena 20,562
49–7
57
February 28
Sacramento
W 126–108
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (11)
Harper & Jordan (6)
United Center 23,836
50–7 :
March: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
58
March 3
Milwaukee
W 108–90
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (11)
Dennis Rodman (7)
United Center 23,894
51–7
59
March 5
San Antonio
W 111–69
Scottie Pippen (19)
Caffey & Longley (10)
Randy Brown (8)
United Center 23,841
52–7
60
March 7
Indiana
W 104–96
Michael Jordan (38)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Scottie Pippen (9)
United Center 23,902
53–7
61
March 9
@ New York
L 93–97
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Jordan & Pippen (4)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
53–8
62
March 11
@ Boston
W 117–106
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Michael Jordan (9)
FleetCenter 18,624
54–8
63
March 12
@ Philadelphia
W 108–104
Scottie Pippen (31)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (8)
CoreStates Center 21,061
55–8
64
March 14
@ New Jersey
L 98–99
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
55–9
65
March 15
Atlanta
W 99–79
Scottie Pippen (17)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Longley & Pippen (7)
United Center 23,984
56–9
66
March 18
Seattle
W 89–87 (OT)
Michael Jordan (32)
Michael Jordan (18)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,989
57–9
67
March 21
@ Indiana
W 117–98
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Market Square Arena 16,759
58–9
68
March 22
Detroit
W 103–88
Scottie Pippen (26)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (7)
United Center 23,896
59–9
69
March 25
Dallas
W 94–92
Jordan & Kerr (20)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Scottie Pippen (6)
United Center 23,854
60–9
70
March 27
@ Toronto
W 96–83
Longley & Pippen (16)
Michael Jordan (10)
Scottie Pippen (7)
SkyDome 34,104
61–9
71
March 29
New Jersey
W 111–101
Scottie Pippen (31)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Michael Jordan (10)
United Center 23,916
62–9 :
April: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
72
April 1
Boston
W 111–106
Michael Jordan (21)
Jason Caffey (9)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,906
63–9
73
April 3
@ Washington
L 102–110
Michael Jordan (34)
Caffey & Kukoč (8)
Michael Jordan (6)
US Airways Arena 18,756
63–10
74
April 4
Cleveland
W 84–71
Michael Jordan (22)
Scottie Pippen (7)
Luc Longley (6)
United Center 23,955
64–10
75
April 6
@ Orlando
W 110–94
Michael Jordan (37)
Caffey & Jordan (8)
Michael Jordan (5)
Orlando Arena 17,248
65–10
76
April 7
Philadelphia
W 128–102
Michael Jordan (30)
Luc Longley (11)
Ron Harper (7)
United Center 23,618
66–10
77
April 9
@ Indiana
W 86–80
Michael Jordan (23)
Jason Caffey (16)
Scottie Pippen (3)
Market Square Arena 16,760
67–10
78
April 10
@ New York
W 105–103
Michael Jordan (34)
Caffey & Jordan (8)
Michael Jordan (6)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
68–10
79
April 13
@ Detroit
L 91–108
Scottie Pippen (21)
Jason Caffey (10)
Michael Jordan (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
68–11
80
April 14
Toronto
W 117–100
Michael Jordan (30)
Michael Jordan (11)
Michael Jordan (10)
United Center 23,896
69–11
81
April 16
@ Miami
L 92–102
Scottie Pippen (28)
Michael Jordan (8)
Luc Longley (5)
Miami Arena 15,200
69–12
82
April 19
New York
L 101–103
Michael Jordan (33)
3 players tied (6)
Scottie Pippen (12)
United Center 24,161
69–13 :
1996–97 schedule :

### Playoffs

1997 playoff game log Total: 15–4 (Home: 10–1; Road: 5–3) :
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 25
Washington
W 98–86
Michael Jordan (29)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Michael Jordan (8)
United Center 24,122
1–0
2
April 27
Washington
W 109–104
Michael Jordan (55)
Scottie Pippen (9)
Luc Longley (6)
United Center 24,267
2–0
3
April 30
@ Washington
W 96–95
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Michael Jordan (6)
US Airways Arena 18,756
3–0 :
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 6
Atlanta
W 100–97
Michael Jordan (34)
Michael Jordan (11)
Michael Jordan (6)
United Center 24,397
1–0
2
May 8
Atlanta
L 95–103
Michael Jordan (27)
Michael Jordan (16)
Scottie Pippen (9)
United Center 24,544
1–1
3
May 10
@ Atlanta
W 100–80
Michael Jordan (21)
Jason Caffey (11)
Kukoč & Pippen (5)
Omni Coliseum 16,378
2–1
4
May 11
@ Atlanta
W 89–80
Michael Jordan (27)
Jordan & Pippen (8)
3 players tied (4)
Omni Coliseum 16,378
3–1
5
May 13
Atlanta
W 107–92
Michael Jordan (24)
Dele & Longley (10)
Jordan & Pippen (7)
United Center 24,544
4–1 :
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 20
Miami
W 84–77
Michael Jordan (37)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Harper & Pippen (4)
United Center 24,544
1–0
2
May 22
Miami
W 75–68
Jordan & Pippen (23)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Ron Harper (6)
United Center 24,544
2–0
3
May 24
@ Miami
W 98–74
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (9)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Miami Arena 14,720
3–0
4
May 26
@ Miami
L 80–87
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (11)
Scottie Pippen (5)
Miami Arena 14,720
3–1
5
May 28
Miami
W 100–87
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Toni Kukoč (7)
United Center 24,544
4–1 :
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
June 1
Utah
W 84–82
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Michael Jordan (8)
United Center 24,544
1–0
2
June 4
Utah
W 97–85
Michael Jordan (38)
Michael Jordan (13)
Michael Jordan (9)
United Center 24,544
2–0
3
June 6
@ Utah
L 93–104
Scottie Pippen (27)
Ron Harper (7)
Michael Jordan (6)
Delta Center 19,911
2–1
4
June 8
@ Utah
L 73–78
Michael Jordan (22)
Scottie Pippen (12)
3 players tied (4)
Delta Center 19,911
2–2
5
June 11
@ Utah
W 90–88
Michael Jordan (38)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Jordan & Pippen (5)
Delta Center 19,911
3–2
6
June 13
Utah
W 90–86
Michael Jordan (39)
Jordan & Rodman (11)
Michael Jordan (4)
United Center 24,544
4–2 :
1997 schedule :

## Player stats
### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Randy Brown | 72 | 3 | 14.7 | .420 | .182 | .679 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.12 | .24 | 4.7 |
| Jud Buechler | 76 | 0 | 9.2 | .367 | .333 | .357 | 1.7 | .8 | .30 | .28 | 1.8 |
| Jason Caffey | 75 | 19 | 18.7 | .532 | .000 | .659 | 4.0 | 1.2 | .33 | .12 | 7.3 |
| Bison Dele | 9 | 0 | 15.3 | .413 | .000 | .733 | 3.7 | 1.3 | .33 | .56 | 7.0 |
| Ron Harper | 76 | 74 | 22.9 | .436 | .362 | .707 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 1.13 | .50 | 6.3 |
| Michael Jordan | 82 | 82 | 37.9 | .486 | .374 | .833 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 1.71 | .54 | 29.6 |
| Steve Kerr | 82 | 0 | 22.7 | .533 | .464 | .806 | 1.6 | 2.1 | .82 | .04 | 8.1 |
| Toni Kukoč | 57 | 15 | 28.2 | .471 | .331 | .770 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 1.05 | .51 | 13.2 |
| Luc Longley | 59 | 59 | 24.9 | .456 | .000 | .792 | 5.6 | 2.4 | .39 | 1.12 | 9.1 |
| Robert Parish | 43 | 3 | 9.4 | .490 | .000 | .677 | 2.1 | .5 | .14 | .44 | 3.7 |
| Scottie Pippen | 82 | 82 | 37.7 | .474 | .368 | .701 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 1.88 | .55 | 20.2 |
| Dennis Rodman | 55 | 54 | 35.4 | .448 | .263 | .568 | 16.1 | 3.1 | .58 | .35 | 5.7 |
| Dickey Simpkins | 48 | 0 | 8.2 | .333 | .250 | .700 | 1.9 | .6 | .10 | .10 | 1.9 |
| Matt Steigenga | 2 | 0 | 6.0 | .250 | .000 | .500 | 1.5 | 1.0 | .50 | .50 | 1.5 |
| Bill Wennington | 61 | 19 | 12.8 | .498 | .000 | .830 | 2.1 | .7 | .16 | .18 | 4.6 |

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Randy Brown | 17 | | 5.8 | .300 | .000 | .600 | .6 | .4 | .47 | .12 | 1.2 |
| Jud Buechler | 18 | | 7.7 | .419 | .333 | .600 | 1.3 | .3 | .17 | .06 | 1.8 |
| Jason Caffey | 17 | 5 | 9.8 | .455 | .000 | .786 | 2.5 | .9 | .18 | .18 | 2.4 |
| Bison Dele | 19 | | 17.7 | .481 | .000 | .516 | 3.7 | .6 | 1.00 | .42 | 6.1 |
| Ron Harper | 19 | 19 | 27.1 | .400 | .344 | .750 | 4.3 | 3.0 | 1.26 | .74 | 7.5 |
| Michael Jordan | 19 | 19 | 42.3 | .456 | .194 | .831 | 7.9 | 4.8 | 1.58 | .89 | 31.1 |
| Steve Kerr | 19 | | 17.9 | .429 | .381 | .929 | .9 | 1.1 | .89 | .11 | 5.0 |
| Toni Kukoč | 19 | | 22.3 | .360 | .358 | .707 | 2.8 | 2.8 | .68 | .21 | 7.9 |
| Luc Longley | 19 | 19 | 22.7 | .548 | .000 | .385 | 4.4 | 1.8 | .37 | .84 | 6.5 |
| Robert Parish | 2 | | 9.0 | .143 | .000 | .000 | 2.0 | .0 | .00 | 1.50 | 1.0 |
| Scottie Pippen | 19 | 19 | 39.6 | .417 | .345 | .791 | 6.8 | 3.8 | 1.47 | .95 | 19.2 |
| Dennis Rodman | 19 | 14 | 28.2 | .370 | .250 | .577 | 8.4 | 1.4 | .53 | .21 | 4.2 |
Player Statistics Citation:

## NBA finals
### Schedule

* Game 1 – June 1, Sunday @Chicago, Chicago 84, Utah 82: Chicago leads series 1-0
* Game 2 – June 4, Wednesday @Chicago, Chicago 97, Utah 85: Chicago leads series 2-0
* Game 3 – June 6, Friday @Utah, Utah 104, Chicago 93: Chicago leads series 2-1
* Game 4 – June 8, Sunday @Utah, Utah 78, Chicago 73: Series tied 2-2
* Game 5 – June 11, Wednesday @Utah, Chicago 90, Utah 88: Chicago leads series 3-2
* Game 6 – June 13, Friday @Chicago, Chicago 90, Utah 86: Chicago wins series 4-2
The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage's (Chicago's) home court (United Center).

### Game 1

Sunday, June 1, at the United Center
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Utah | 18 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 82 |
| Chicago | 17 | 21 | 24 | 22 | 84 |

### Game 2

Wednesday, June 4, at the United Center
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Utah | 20 | 11 | 28 | 26 | 85 |
| Chicago | 25 | 22 | 31 | 19 | 97 |

### Game 3

Friday, June 6, at the Delta Center
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chicago | 22 | 23 | 15 | 33 | 93 |
| Utah | 31 | 30 | 16 | 27 | 104 |

### Game 4

Sunday, June 8, at the Delta Center
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chicago | 16 | 24 | 16 | 17 | 73 |
| Utah | 21 | 14 | 21 | 22 | 78 |

### Game 5: The Flu Game

Wednesday, June 11, at the Delta Center
Game 5, often referred to as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordan's most memorable. Just 24 hours earlier, on June 10, 1997, Jordan woke up nauseated and sweating profusely. He hardly had the strength to sit up in bed and was diagnosed with a stomach virus or food poisoning. The Bulls trainers told Jordan that there was no way he could play in the game. The Jazz had just won two in a row to tie the series, and Chicago needed their leader in this critical swing game. Against all odds, Jordan rose from bed at 3:00 p.m., just in time for the 6:00 tip-off at the Delta Center.
Jordan was visibly weak and pale as he stepped onto the court for Game Five. At first, he displayed no energy whatsoever, and John Stockton, along with reigning MVP Karl Malone, quickly led the Jazz to a 16-point lead. But in the second quarter, Jordan started to sink shots despite lacking his usual explosive speed and hardly being able to concentrate. He scored 17 points in the quarter as the Bulls hit the front before halftime.
Luc Longley and Scottie Pippen did their best to keep the Bulls in the game while Jordan was fatigued again in the third. But Jordan turned it on again, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a clutch rebound and three-point shot with the game tied and under a minute left that put the Bulls up by three points. Chicago held on for a narrow victory.
Jordan finished the game with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Malone was the highest-scoring Jazz player with 19 points but suffered from some dreadful shooting. Jordan stayed on the court for 44 minutes, resting for only four minutes while being perpetually at the brink of fainting. With only a few seconds remaining and the game finally at hand, Jordan collapsed into Scottie Pippen's arms.
* Game Recap
* Box Score
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chicago | 16 | 33 | 18 | 23 | 90 |
| Utah | 29 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 88 |

### Game 6

Friday, June 13, at the United Center
Michael Jordan was not fully recovered from the flu, but was feeling much better and led the Bulls with 39 points. In the third quarter Michael Jordan dunked after a steal, bringing the crowd to its feet. The Bulls trailed by 9 points early in the fourth quarter but went on a 10–0 run to take their first lead since the opening minutes when Steve Kerr hit a 3-pointer, but the Jazz would regain the lead. In the final minutes, Jordan's fadeaway on the baseline put the Bulls up by 3, before Bryon Russell hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 86-86. The two teams would fail to score on their next possessions. With 28 seconds left after Shandon Anderson missed a reverse layup, the Jazz expected Jordan to take the final shot. Instead, Jordan passed off to Steve Kerr, who hit a shot with 5 seconds left to send the United Center crowd into a frenzy. The Jazz looked for one final shot to stay alive, but Scottie Pippen made a massive defensive play as he knocked away Bryon Russell's inbound pass intended for Shandon Anderson and was able to pass the ball over to Toni Kukoč, who dunked the final 2 points of the game to bring the Finals to an end. Afterwards, Jordan was named the NBA Finals MVP.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Utah | 23 | 21 | 26 | 16 | 86 |
| Chicago | 17 | 20 | 27 | 26 | 90 |

## Awards and honors

* Scottie Pippen, Forward, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
* Michael Jordan, Guard, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
* Robert Parish, Center, NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
* Michael Jordan, All-NBA Team, First Team
* Michael Jordan, Guard, NBA Finals MVP
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goals (920)
* Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Field Goal Attempts (1892)
* Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Total Points (2431)
* Michael Jordan, Regular season leader, Scoring Average (29.6 points per game)
* Scottie Pippen, All-NBA Team, Second Team
* Scottie Pippen, NBA All-Defensive First Team

### NBA All-Star Game

* Michael Jordan, Guard
* Scottie Pippen, Forward