# 1997–98 Chicago Bulls season

The 1997–98 NBA season was the Bulls' 32nd season in the National Basketball Association. The Bulls entered the season as the two-time defending NBA champions, and in the Finals, they met the Utah Jazz in a rematch from the prior year's NBA Finals and just like that year, they would go on to defeat the Jazz in six games to win their sixth championship in eight years and complete the franchise's second "3-peat".
During the off-season, the Bulls acquired Scott Burrell from the Golden State Warriors, and signed free agent Joe Kleine. However, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen would miss the first half of the season due to an injured toe on his left foot sustained from the 1997 NBA Playoffs. Without Pippen, the Bulls started with a slow 9–7 record in November, but then would go on a 15–4 record until he returned in January. However, three-point specialist Steve Kerr went down with a fractured collarbone in January, and played just 50 games. Despite the injuries, the Bulls held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break.
At mid-season, the team traded Jason Caffey to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for David Vaughn. Vaughn would only play just three games with the Bulls before being waived on March 2, 1998. Also in early March, the team re-signed former Bulls reserve forward Dickey Simpkins, who was previously released by the Warriors, and played in the final 21 games of the regular season. The Bulls would post a 13-game winning streak between March and April, and still finish in first place in both the Central Division, and Eastern Conference with a 62–20 record. The Bulls had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.
In the playoffs, the Bulls swept the New Jersey Nets, 3–0 in the Eastern Conference First Round, defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, despite losing Game 2 at the United Center, 78–76, and then defeated the Indiana Pacers, 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to advance to the NBA Finals. In the Finals, they met the Utah Jazz in a rematch from the prior year's NBA Finals and just like last year, they would go on to defeat the Jazz in six games to win the championship. The championship was their sixth in eight years and completed the franchise's second "3-peat".
The season also saw Michael Jordan earn his fifth and final NBA Most Valuable Player Award, while being selected for the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York City, New York, where he also won his third and final All-Star Game MVP Award. He once again led the league in scoring averaging 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, while being named to the All-NBA First Team, and NBA All-Defensive First Team.
In addition, Pippen averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 44 games, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and also to the All-Defensive First Team, and rebound-specialist Dennis Rodman once again led the league in rebounding with 15.0 rebounds per game. Toni Kukoč provided the team with 13.3 points per game, playing most of the season as the team's starting small forward in Pippen's absence, while Luc Longley averaged 11.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, Ron Harper contributed 9.3 points and 1.3 steals per game, and Kerr contributed 7.5 points per game off the bench.
Jordan also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Rodman finished tied in fifth place, and Pippen finished tied in ninth place; Pippen also finished in tenth place in Most Valuable Player voting, and head coach Phil Jackson finished tied in seventh place in Coach of the Year voting.
This was Jordan's last season as a Bull, as he announced his second retirement after it was over. However, he did make a second comeback with the Washington Wizards in 2001. Following the season, Jackson resigned as head coach after nine seasons with the Bulls, while Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets, Rodman left for the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, Longley was dealt to the Phoenix Suns, Kerr was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, Burrell signed with the New Jersey Nets, Jud Buechler signed with the Detroit Pistons, and Kleine re-signed with the Suns, his former team.
Because of this dismantling of the team, this was the last season for the Bulls dynasty that had headlined the NBA throughout the 1990s. What followed was a long rebuilding process between 1998 and 2004, and the Bulls did not return to the postseason until 2005.
The story of this season was captured in ESPN's The Last Dance, which aired in April 2020.

## Offseason
### NBA draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 28 | Keith Booth | SF | United States | Maryland |
| 2 | 58 | Roberto Dueñas | C | Spain | FC Barcelona (Spain) |

## Roster
### Roster Notes

* Power forward David Vaughn was waived on March 2, 1998.

## Regular season
### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Chicago Bulls | 62 | 20 | .756 | – | 37–4 | 25–16 | 21–7 |
| x-Indiana Pacers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 | 32–9 | 26–15 | 19–9 |
| x-Charlotte Hornets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 11 | 32–9 | 19–22 | 16–12 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 | 29–12 | 21–20 | 19–9 |
| x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 | 27–14 | 20–21 | 14–14 |
| Detroit Pistons | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | 25–16 | 12–29 | 12–16 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 | 21–20 | 15–26 | 9–19 |
| Toronto Raptors | 16 | 66 | .195 | 46 | 9–32 | 7–34 | 2–26 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | c-Chicago Bulls | 62 | 20 | .756 | – |
| 2 | y-Miami Heat | 55 | 27 | .671 | 7 |
| 3 | x-Indiana Pacers | 58 | 24 | .707 | 4 |
| 4 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 51 | 31 | .622 | 11 |
| 5 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 50 | 32 | .610 | 12 |
| 6 | x-Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 15 |
| 7 | x-New York Knicks | 43 | 39 | .524 | 19 |
| 8 | x-New Jersey Nets | 43 | 39 | .524 | 19 |
| 9 | Washington Wizards | 42 | 40 | .512 | 20 |
| 10 | Orlando Magic | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 |
| 11 | Detroit Pistons | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 |
| 12 | Boston Celtics | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 |
| 12 | Milwaukee Bucks | 36 | 46 | .439 | 26 |
| 14 | Philadelphia 76ers | 31 | 51 | .378 | 31 |
| 15 | Toronto Raptors | 16 | 66 | .195 | 46 |

### Record vs. opponents

1997–98 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 | — | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Boston | 1–2 | — | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 |
| Charlotte | 0–4 | 2–1 | — | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Chicago | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Cleveland | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Indiana | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
| Milwaukee | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | — | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 |
| Minnesota | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| New Jersey | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| New York | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Orlando | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–4 | — | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Philadelphia | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–4 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Phoenix | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 4–0 | — | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | — | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–3 |
| Utah | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| Vancouver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 1–1 |
| Washington | 0–4 | 2–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log
### Regular season

1997–98 game log Total: 62–20 (Home: 37–4; Road: 25–16) :
October: 0–1 (home: 0–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 31
@ Boston
L 85–92
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (9)
Harper & Jordan (4)
FleetCenter 18,624
0–1 :
November: 9–6 (home: 6–1; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
2
November 1
Philadelphia
W 94–74
Ron Harper (17)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Ron Harper (8)
United Center 24,196
1–1
3
November 3
San Antonio
W 87–83 (OT)
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Jordan & Harper (4)
United Center 23,868
2–1
4
November 5
Orlando
W 94–81
Michael Jordan (29)
Michael Jordan (17)
Steve Kerr (5)
United Center 23,809
3–1
5
November 7
@ Atlanta
L 78–80
Michael Jordan (27)
Jordan & Longley (9)
Michael Jordan (6)
Georgia Dome 45,790
3–2
6
November 8
New Jersey
W 99–86
Steve Kerr (21)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Toni Kukoč (7)
United Center 23,898
4–2
7
November 11
@ Cleveland
L 80–101
Michael Jordan (19)
Jason Caffey (8)
Brown & Kerr (5)
Gund Arena 20,562
4–3
8
November 12
Washington
L 83–90
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Harper & Longley (5)
United Center 23,749
4–4
9
November 14
Charlotte
W 105–92
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Michael Jordan (7)
United Center 23,894
5–4
10
November 15
Cleveland
W 79–70
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Toni Kukoč (7)
United Center 23,906
6–4
11
November 20
@ Phoenix
L 85–89
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Ron Harper (5)
America West Arena 19,023
6–5
12
November 21
@ L.A. Clippers
W 111–102 (2OT)
Michael Jordan (49)
Luc Longley (17)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16,199
7–5
13
November 23
@ Sacramento
W 103–88
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (8)
ARCO Arena 17,317
8–5
14
November 25
@ Seattle
L 90–91
Toni Kukoč (30)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Harper & Kukoč (6)
KeyArena 17,072
8–6
15
November 28
@ Indiana
L 83–94
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (11)
Toni Kukoč (4)
Market Square Arena 16,736
8–7
16
November 29
@ Washington
W 88–83
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Ron Harper (7)
US Airways Arena 18,756
9–7 :
December: 11–3 (home: 9–0; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
17
December 3
@ Boston
W 97–87
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (11)
FleetCenter 18,624
10–7
18
December 5
Milwaukee
W 82–64
Toni Kukoč (19)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Dennis Rodman (5)
United Center 24,041
11–7
19
December 9
New York
W 100–82
Michael Jordan (29)
3 players tied (9)
Harper & Jordan (4)
United Center 24,107
12–7
20
December 10
@ Orlando
L 98–106
Michael Jordan (25)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Toni Kukoč (7)
Orlando Arena 17,248
12–8
21
December 12
@ Charlotte
L 77–79
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Toni Kukoč (7)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
12–9
22
December 13
Toronto
W 97–70
Ron Harper (20)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (6)
United Center 23,867
13–9
23
December 15
Phoenix
W 111–104
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Brown & Rodman (6)
United Center 23,888
14–9
24
December 17
L.A. Lakers
W 104–83
Michael Jordan (36)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (8)
United Center 24,119
15–9
25
December 20
@ New Jersey
W 100–92
Michael Jordan (24)
Dennis Rodman (24)
Dennis Rodman (5)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
16–9
26
December 23
L.A. Clippers
W 94–89
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (25)
3 players tied (4)
United Center 23,904
17–9
27
December 25
Miami
W 90–80
Michael Jordan (24)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Toni Kukoč (5)
United Center 24,182
18–9
28
December 27
Atlanta
W 97–90
Michael Jordan (47)
Dennis Rodman (29)
Dennis Rodman (5)
United Center 24,131
19–9
29
December 29
Dallas
W 111–105
Michael Jordan (41)
Dennis Rodman (27)
Dennis Rodman (8)
United Center 23,712
20–9
30
December 30
@ Minnesota
L 95–99
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Toni Kukoč (8)
Target Center 20,097
20–10 :
January: 13–3 (home: 6–1; road: 7–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
31
January 2
Milwaukee
W 114–100
Michael Jordan (44)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Luc Longley (8)
United Center 23,897
21–10
32
January 3
@ Detroit
W 105–96
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (9)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
22–10
33
January 6
Boston
W 90–79
Jordan & Kukoč (19)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Toni Kukoč (6)
United Center 23,804
23–10
34
January 7
@ Miami
L 72–99
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Brown, Harper (4)
Miami Arena 15,200
23–11
35
January 9
@ New York
W 90–89
Michael Jordan (44)
Luc Longley (10)
Luc Longley (6)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
24–11
36
January 10
Golden State
W 87–82
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (5)
United Center 23,902
25–11
37
January 13
Seattle
W 101–91
Michael Jordan (40)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Dennis Rodman (6)
United Center 24,112
26–11
38
January 15
@ Philadelphia
L 96–106
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Harper & Pippen (5)
CoreStates Center 21,104
26–12
39
January 16
@ Milwaukee
W 96–86
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Luc Longley (5)
Bradley Center 18,717
27–12
40
January 18
Houston
W 106–100
Michael Jordan (45)
Longley & Rodman (5)
Scottie Pippen (10)
United Center 24,209
28–12
41
January 21
Charlotte
W 110–79
Michael Jordan (33)
Luc Longley (13)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,967
29–12
42
January 23
@ New Jersey
W 100–98 (OT)
Michael Jordan (32)
Scottie Pippen (7)
Kukoč & Pippen (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
30–12
43
January 25
Utah
L 94–101
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Scottie Pippen (10)
United Center 24,361
30–13
44
January 27
@ Vancouver
W 103–85
Scottie Pippen (29)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Pippen & Rodman (6)
General Motors Place 19,193
31–13
45
January 29
@ Portland
W 100–87
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Longley & Pippen (8)
Rose Garden 21,538
32–13
46
January 30
@ Golden State
W 87–80
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Scottie Pippen (4)
The Arena in Oakland 19,804
33–13 :
February: 10–3 (home: 6–1; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
47
February 1
@ L.A. Lakers
L 87–112
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Brown & Pippen (5)
Great Western Forum 17,505
33–14
48
February 2
@ Denver
W 111–72
Scott Burrell (24)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Buechler & Caffey (4)
McNichols Sports Arena 17,171
34–14
49
February 4
@ Utah
L 93–101
Michael Jordan (40)
Luc Longley (11)
Dennis Rodman (4)
Delta Center 19,911
34–15
All-Star Break
50
February 10
Toronto
W 93–86
Toni Kukoč (21)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (9)
United Center 23,881
35–15
51
February 11
@ Charlotte
W 92–90
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (11)
3 players tied (6)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
36–15
52
February 13
Atlanta
W 112–110
Michael Jordan (37)
Michael Jordan (7)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 24,207
37–15
53
February 15
Detroit
W 99–90
Toni Kukoč (22)
Michael Jordan (12)
Jordan & Pippen (5)
United Center 24,139
38–15
54
February 17
Indiana
W 105–97
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (13)
Michael Jordan (6)
United Center 24,131
39–15
55
February 19
@ Toronto
W 123–86
Scottie Pippen (22)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Scottie Pippen (6)
SkyDome 30,172
40–15
56
February 21
@ Washington
W 94–88
Scottie Pippen (23)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (5)
MCI Center 20,674
41–15
57
February 23
Cleveland
W 97–75
Michael Jordan (17)
Ron Harper (10)
Brown & Kukoč (7)
United Center 23,902
42–15
58
February 25
Portland
L 101–106
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Kukoč & Pippen (6)
United Center 23,821
42–16
59
February 28
Sacramento
W 109–94
Scottie Pippen (29)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Pippen & Rodman (6)
United Center 23,914
43–16 :
March: 13–1 (home: 6–0; road: 7–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
60
March 3
Denver
W 118–90
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (10)
United Center 23,810
44–16
61
March 8
@ New York
W 102–89
Michael Jordan (42)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Jordan & Pippen (6)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
45–16
62
March 10
Miami
W 106–91
Michael Jordan (37)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Kukoč & Pippen (8)
United Center 24,102
46–16
63
March 12
@ Dallas
L 97–104 (OT)
Michael Jordan (26)
Dennis Rodman (22)
Toni Kukoč (6)
Reunion Arena 18,255
46–17
64
March 14
@ San Antonio
W 96–86
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (5)
Alamodome 37,492
47–17
65
March 16
New Jersey
W 88–72
Toni Kukoč (21)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Kukoč & Rodman (5)
United Center 23,908
48–17
66
March 17
@ Indiana
W 90–84
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (19)
Scottie Pippen (5)
Market Square Arena 16,729
49–17
67
March 20
Vancouver
W 98–92
Michael Jordan (24)
Toni Kukoč (11)
Ron Harper (4)
United Center 24,023
50–17
68
March 22
@ Toronto
W 102–100
Jordan & Pippen (33)
Dennis Rodman (18)
3 players tied (5)
SkyDome 33,216
51–17
69
March 23
Boston
W 111–88
Scottie Pippen (27)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Toni Kukoč (10)
United Center 23,944
52–17
70
March 25
@ Orlando
W 85–70
Scottie Pippen (23)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (8)
Orlando Arena 17,248
53–17
71
March 27
@ Atlanta
W 89–74
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Ron Harper (6)
Georgia Dome 62,046
54–17
72
March 29
@ Milwaukee
W 104–87
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Toni Kukoč (8)
Bradley Center 18,717
55–17
73
March 31
Detroit
W 106–101 (OT)
Scottie Pippen (27)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (8)
United Center 23,942
56–17 :
April: 6–3 (home: 4–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
74
April 3
Minnesota
W 107–93
Scottie Pippen (27)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (8)
United Center 23,985
57–17
75
April 5
@ Houston
W 109–94
Michael Jordan (40)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Pippen & Rodman (8)
Compaq Center 16,285
58–17
76
April 7
Washington
W 103–85
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,969
59–17
77
April 9
@ Cleveland
L 85–91
Michael Jordan (29)
Dennis Rodman (20)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
59–18
78
April 11
Orlando
W 87–78
Michael Jordan (37)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Pippen & Rodman (6)
United Center 24,104
60–18
79
April 13
Indiana
L 105–114
Scottie Pippen (28)
Dennis Rodman (9)
Harper & Rodman (4)
United Center 23,957
60–19
80
April 15
@ Detroit
L 79–87
Michael Jordan (19)
Dennis Rodman (15)
Harper & Kukoč (5)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
60–20
81
April 17
@ Philadelphia
W 87–80
Michael Jordan (24)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (4)
CoreStates Center 21,305
61–20
82
April 18
New York
W 111-109
Michael Jordan (44)
Dennis Rodman (8)
Scottie Pippen (10)
United Center 24,182
62–20 :
1997–98 schedule :

### Playoffs

1998 playoff game log Total: 15–6 (Home: 10–2; Road: 5–4) :
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 24
New Jersey
W 96–93 (OT)
Michael Jordan (39)
Dennis Rodman (8)
3 players tied (5)
United Center 23,844
1–0
2
April 26
New Jersey
W 96–91
Michael Jordan (32)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Burrell & Rodman (4)
United Center 23,844
2–0
3
April 29
@ New Jersey
W 116–101
Michael Jordan (38)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Continental Airlines Arena 19,889
3–0 :
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 3
Charlotte
W 83–70
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Jordan & Pippen (4)
United Center 23,844
1–0
2
May 6
Charlotte
L 76–78
Michael Jordan (22)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Michael Jordan (6)
United Center 23,844
1–1
3
May 8
@ Charlotte
W 103–89
Michael Jordan (27)
Dennis Rodman (17)
Michael Jordan (6)
Charlotte Coliseum 23,799
2–1
4
May 10
@ Charlotte
W 94–80
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (18)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Charlotte Coliseum 23,799
3–1
5
May 13
Charlotte
W 93–84
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (21)
Longley & Pippen (5)
United Center 23,844
4–1 :
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 17
Indiana
W 85–79
Michael Jordan (31)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Scottie Pippen (7)
United Center 23,844
1–0
2
May 19
Indiana
W 104–98
Michael Jordan (41)
Ron Harper (9)
Jordan & Pippen (5)
United Center 23,844
2–0
3
May 23
@ Indiana
L 105–107
Michael Jordan (30)
Dennis Rodman (12)
Michael Jordan (7)
Market Square Arena 16,576
2–1
4
May 25
@ Indiana
L 94–96
Michael Jordan (28)
Dennis Rodman (16)
Scottie Pippen (10)
Market Square Arena 16,560
2–2
5
May 27
Indiana
W 106–87
Michael Jordan (29)
Scottie Pippen (8)
Kukoč & Pippen (7)
United Center 23,844
3–2
6
May 29
@ Indiana
L 89–92
Michael Jordan (35)
Dennis Rodman (12)
3 players tied (2)
Market Square Arena 16,566
3–3
7
May 31
Indiana
W 88–83
Michael Jordan (28)
Scottie Pippen (12)
Michael Jordan (8)
United Center 23,844
4–3 :
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
June 3
@ Utah
L 85–88 (OT)
Michael Jordan (33)
Dennis Rodman (10)
Steve Kerr (5)
Delta Center 19,911
0–1
2
June 5
@ Utah
W 93–88
Michael Jordan (37)
Kukoč & Rodman (9)
Scottie Pippen (4)
Delta Center 19,911
1–1
3
June 7
Utah
W 96–54
Michael Jordan (24)
Ron Harper (10)
Ron Harper (7)
United Center 23,844
2–1
4
June 10
Utah
W 86–82
Michael Jordan (34)
Dennis Rodman (14)
Scottie Pippen (5)
United Center 23,844
3–1
5
June 12
Utah
L 81–83
Toni Kukoč (30)
Scottie Pippen (11)
Scottie Pippen (11)
United Center 23,844
3–2
6
June 14
@ Utah
W 87–86
Michael Jordan (45)
Dennis Rodman (8)
Kukoč & Pippen (4)
Delta Center 19,911
4–2 :
1998 schedule :

## Player stats
### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Keith Booth | 6 | 0 | 2.8 | .333 | .000 | 1.000 | .7 | .2 | .00 | .00 | 1.7 |
| Randy Brown | 71 | 6 | 16.2 | .384 | .000 | .718 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.00 | .17 | 4.1 |
| Jud Buechler | 74 | 0 | 8.2 | .483 | .385 | .500 | 1.0 | .7 | .30 | .20 | 2.7 |
| Scott Burrell | 80 | 3 | 13.7 | .424 | .354 | .734 | 2.5 | .8 | .80 | .46 | 5.2 |
| Jason Caffey | 51 | 8 | 13.9 | .503 | .000 | .660 | 3.4 | .7 | .25 | .33 | 5.3 |
| Ron Harper | 82 | 82 | 27.9 | .441 | .190 | .750 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 1.32 | .59 | 9.3 |
| Michael Jordan | 82 | 82 | 38.8 | .465 | .238 | .784 | 5.8 | 3.5 | 1.72 | .55 | 28.7 |
| Steve Kerr | 50 | 0 | 22.4 | .454 | .438 | .918 | 1.5 | 1.9 | .52 | .10 | 7.5 |
| Joe Kleine | 46 | 1 | 8.6 | .368 | .000 | .833 | 1.7 | .7 | .09 | .11 | 2.0 |
| Toni Kukoč | 74 | 52 | 30.2 | .455 | .362 | .708 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 1.03 | .50 | 13.3 |
| Rusty LaRue | 14 | 0 | 10.0 | .408 | .250 | .625 | .6 | .4 | .21 | .07 | 3.5 |
| Luc Longley | 58 | 58 | 29.4 | .455 | .000 | .736 | 5.9 | 2.8 | .59 | 1.07 | 11.4 |
| Scottie Pippen | 44 | 44 | 37.5 | .447 | .318 | .777 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 1.80 | .98 | 19.1 |
| Dennis Rodman | 80 | 66 | 35.7 | .431 | .174 | .550 | 15.0 | 2.9 | .59 | .22 | 4.7 |
| Dickey Simpkins | 21 | 0 | 11.3 | .634 | .000 | .591 | 1.5 | .8 | .19 | .14 | 3.7 |
| David Vaughn III | 3 | 0 | 2.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .500 | .3 | .0 | .00 | .00 | 1.3 |
| Bill Wennington | 48 | 8 | 9.7 | .436 | .000 | .810 | 1.7 | .4 | .08 | .10 | 3.5 |

### Postseason

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Randy Brown | 14 | | 5.1 | .167 | .000 | .833 | .6 | .6 | .14 | .00 | .6 |
| Jud Buechler | 16 | | 4.0 | .364 | .600 | .000 | .7 | .2 | .19 | .06 | .7 |
| Scott Burrell | 21 | | 12.4 | .438 | .300 | .909 | 2.0 | .5 | .90 | .14 | 3.8 |
| Ron Harper | 21 | 21 | 26.8 | .459 | .263 | .615 | 3.7 | 2.3 | .95 | .86 | 6.7 |
| Michael Jordan | 21 | 21 | 41.5 | .462 | .302 | .812 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 1.52 | .57 | 32.4 |
| Steve Kerr | 21 | | 19.8 | .434 | .463 | .818 | .8 | 1.7 | .33 | .00 | 4.9 |
| Toni Kukoč | 21 | 17 | 30.3 | .486 | .377 | .645 | 3.9 | 2.9 | 1.24 | .48 | 13.1 |
| Luc Longley | 18 | 16 | 25.3 | .450 | .000 | .872 | 5.0 | 1.9 | .67 | .83 | 7.9 |
| Scottie Pippen | 21 | 21 | 39.8 | .415 | .228 | .679 | 7.1 | 5.2 | 2.14 | .95 | 16.8 |
| Dennis Rodman | 21 | 9 | 34.4 | .371 | .250 | .605 | 11.8 | 2.0 | .67 | .62 | 4.9 |
| Dickey Simpkins | 13 | | 5.7 | .375 | .000 | .444 | 1.0 | .2 | .15 | .08 | 1.2 |
| Bill Wennington | 16 | | 7.4 | .526 | .000 | .500 | .9 | .2 | .38 | .12 | 2.8 |
Player Statistics Citation:

## NBA finals
### 1998 NBA Finals Roster

| Chicago Bulls | Utah Jazz |
| Head Coach: Phil Jackson | Head Coach: Jerry Sloan |
| Michael Jordan | Karl Malone |
| Scottie Pippen | Jeff Hornacek |
| Dennis Rodman | John Stockton |
| Luc Longley | Bryon Russell |
| Ron Harper | Shandon Anderson |
| Steve Kerr | Adam Keefe |
| Keith Booth | Howard Eisley |
| Scott Burrell | Antoine Carr |
| Randy Brown | Greg Foster |
| Dickey Simpkins | Greg Ostertag |
| Rusty LaRue | Chris Morris |
| Bill Wennington | Jacque Vaughn |
| Jud Buechler | Troy Hudson |
| Toni Kukoč | William Cunningham |

### Series summary

Legend: OT denotes a game decided in overtime
| Game | Date | Home team | Result | Road team |
| Game 1 | June 3 | Utah | 88-85 (OT) | Chicago |
| Game 2 | June 5 | Utah | 88-93 | Chicago |
| Game 3 | June 7 | Chicago | 96-54 | Utah |
| Game 4 | June 10 | Chicago | 86-82 | Utah |
| Game 5 | June 12 | Chicago | 81-83 | Utah |
| Game 6 | June 14 | Utah | 86-87 | Chicago |
Bulls win series 4-2

### Games 1 and 2

This was the first time in the 1990s that the same two teams played each other in two consecutive finals. The Jazz had won both regular season match-ups, and many analysts predicted a hard-fought seven-game series. Predictions of a Jazz championship were strengthened with their game one victory in overtime in Utah. The Bulls would tie the series in game 2 putting together a fourth quarter run to silence the Delta Center and holding on to win 93–88, finally securing their first victory against Utah all season.

### Games 3, 4 and 5

The Finals would move to Chicago with control of the series at stake in Game 3. Though anticipation was high, no one could have expected a blow-out of the proportions seen in Game 3. With a 96–54 triumph over Utah, the Bulls would help the Jazz set an embarrassing record for the lowest points scored in Finals history and biggest margin of defeat, while everyone on the Bulls scored. The Jazz would pull themselves together in Game 4 in a better attempt to tie the series, but lost 86–82.
The early Jazz series-lead seemed like a distant memory, a false indication of a tough series as they hit the floor for Game 5 behind 3–1. Chicago fans prepared for the last game they would host with the Jordan-led Bulls of the 1990s. But any notions of a championship at the United Center would be snuffed out when, with 0.8 seconds on the game, Michael Jordan airballed an off-balance 3 to the right of the basket giving the Jazz a narrow 83–81 win. The play might have been for Toni Kukoč to shoot a three. With the series shifting back to Utah with a far more generous 3-2 Bulls advantage, the promise of another Chicago championship was not so certain.

### Game 6

The Chicago Bulls had never let a Finals series go to a Game 7.
As they arrived at the Delta Center for Game 6, things didn't look good for the Bulls. Scottie Pippen's back gave out when he dunked the opening basket of the game and he was slowed down and held to just 8 points. The Jazz suffered a bad break when the referees incorrectly nullified a Howard Eisley three-pointer that, replays showed, was clearly released just before the 24-second clock expired. In the 4th quarter, the Bulls closed the gap as Michael Jordan tallied many of his 45 overall points. Then things got worse for Chicago when John Stockton hit a clutch 3 with 41.9 seconds left to give Utah an 86–83 lead as the Delta Center crowd roared happily. Down by 3, the Bulls had one last chance to stay alive. Running perilously low on energy, it would be imperative for Chicago to win the series before the game went into OT, and also for the Bulls to avoid a Game 7 on the road when Scottie Pippen was so badly injured and their entire lineup was exhausted.
After Michael Jordan made a quick layup to cut the Jazz lead to one, the Bulls needed to stop the Jazz from scoring again. When John Stockton passed the ball to Karl Malone, Michael Jordan stole the ball away and dribbled to the front. Guarding him was Bryon Russell, one of the Jazz's best perimeter defenders. Jordan drove inside the 3-point line, executed a quick cross-over, and drilled a 20-ft. jump shot to give the Bulls an 87–86 lead with 5.2 seconds left. After Utah took a timeout, Stockton's 3 hit the rim and bounced away, giving the Bulls their 6th title in 8 years. The famous winning shot has been immortalized in many records, as Jordan completed a perfect sextet: 6 NBA Finals, 6 championships, and 6 NBA Finals MVP trophies.

## Awards and honors

* 1997 McDonald's Championship Winners
* Michael Jordan, All-NBA First Team
* Scottie Pippen, All-NBA Third Team
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Star Game MVP
* Michael Jordan, NBA MVP
* Michael Jordan, NBA Finals MVP
* Michael Jordan, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* Scottie Pippen, NBA All-Defensive First Team
* Michael Jordan, Favorite Male Athlete
* Chicago Bulls, Favorite Sports Team

### NBA All-Star Game

* Michael Jordan, Guard