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Actual Result: Back to back for the Bulls, their 5th title of the decade, beating the Jazz.
MVP: Karl Malone
East Semis: Bulls d. Hawks (4-1)
Heat d. Knicks (4-3)
West Semis: Rockets d. Sonics (4-3)
Jazz d. Lakers (4-1)
Simulation: The Lakers were the team of the 50s, winning 3 titles, and the 60s, winning 4 more, and the 70s, with 3 more titles. The Celtics were the team of the 80s, winning 6 NBA Titles. Now, it's the 90s and the Bulls are looking for #4. They will face the Miami Heat, an expansion team in 1989, its the first time they've been beyond the first round of the playoffs. Only 2 western conference teams have won NBA Titles in the last decade, the Sonics and Rockets; Houston beat Seattle in the semis and will take on the Jazz, still hoping to make their first NBA Finals appearance.
East Finals: Chicago Bulls (69-13) v. Miami Heat (61-21)
West Finals: Utah Jazz (64-18) v. Houston Rockets (57-25)
East Finals Game 1 (Chi) Heat 92 Bulls 90
Ron Harper hit a corner 3 with 7 seconds left to tie the score, but at the buzzer a Voshon Lenard runner in the lane fell to beat the Bulls and give Miami the game 1 road win. 19 pts, 11 rebounds for Alonzo Mourning leads the way for the Heat. 27 for Michael Jordan in the loss, 20 rebounds for Dennis Rodman
East Finals Game 2 (Chi) Bulls 111 Heat 100
The Bulls even the series. 30 pts and 13 rebounds for MJ, 32 and 10 for Scottie Pippen, 28 amd 15 for Mourning in the defeat. Tim Hardaway scores 21.
East Finals Game 3 (Mia) Bulls 105 Heat 85
The Bulls whip the Heat and take the 2-1 lead. Jordan goes for 30 again. Double/double for Bison Dele off the bench. Zo again is high man for Miami with 14, double/double for PJ Brown
East Finals Game 4 (Mia) Bulls 91 Heat 84
The Bulls take both in Miami and move within 1 game of their 5th Eastern Conference title of the decade. It's Scottie Pippen's 27 that is high for the winners. 20 for Jordan, a 24 rebound game for Rodman and another Bison Dele double/double.
East Finals Game 5 (Chi) Bulls 105 Heat 81
The defending champion Bulls head back to the NBA Finals. 40 points and another conference Finals MVP for Michael Jordan, Rodman double/double. 28 for Hardaway in the loss, Voshon Lenard scores 20.
West Finals Game 1 (Utah) Rockets 106 Jazz 91
The '95 Champs are 3 games from facing the '96 Champs for the '97 Title, Clyde Drexler leads the way for the winners with 22. Charles Barkley double/double. Karl Malone scores 26 in the loss. 25 for Bryon Russell.
West Finals Game 2 (Utah) Jazz 111 Rockets 100
Utah levels the series. 32 points, 10 rebounds for Karl Malone, 24 pts, 13 assists for John Stockton, Hakeem goes 23 and 11 in the loss. Double/double for Drexler and Barkley.
West Finals Game 3 (Hou) Rockets 105 Jazz 100
The Rockets move 2 games from the NBA Finals. 38 for Olajuwon. 20 pts and 21 rebounds for Barkley. Karl Malone scores 38 in the loss. John Stockton double/double.
West Finals Game 4 (Hou) Jazz 100 Rockets 92
All tied again. 28 pts, 11 boards for Karl Malone. Jeff Hornacek scores 21. 18 pts and 19 boards by Barkley.
West Finals Game 5 (Utah) Jazz 122 Rockets 121
A corner Mario Elie 3 with 12 seconds left tied the score, but Karl Malone hit 1 of 2 FT as the clock his :00 to give Utah the pivotal game 5 win. Karl Malone has the biggest playoff game of the decade, 52 pts. Double/double for Russell, Ostertag, Hornacek. 36 pts and 11 boards for the Dream in the defeat. A triple/double for Clyde, 20 pts, 11 assists, 10 boards. Barkley double/double.
West Finals Game 6 (Hou) Rockets 107 Jazz 101
We are headed to Game 7 in Salt Lake. Olajuwon scores 28. Barkley double/double. The Mailman's incredible series continues, 37 and 14. Ostertag double/double.
Lets do it - one game for the Western conference title.
West Finals Game 7 (Utah) Jazz 100 Rockets 86
For the first time in their history, the Utah Jazz are headed to the NBA Finals. 28 and 12 for Karl Malone, the series MVP. Double/double for Stockton and Ostertag. 16 and 16 leads the way for Olajuwon in the defeat.
NBA FINALS: CHICAGO BULLS v. UTAH JAZZ
The Bulls are 3 time champions, '90, '91, and then last season. The rotation is nearly identical to the year before. Michael Jordan is now 33, looking to become the third man in history to win 4 Finals MVPs. He was second this year in the regular season MVP. Ron Harper is the point guard, now 33. 31 year old Steve Kerr is the third guard. Scottie Pippen is 31, 2nd team All NBA, joined on the front line by 35 year old Dennis Rodman and 28 year old Luc Longley, 28 year old Toni Kukoc finished 2nd in the 6th man of the year. 27 year old Bison Dele also gets rotation minutes in the front court.
BULLS
HC-Phil Jackson
C Luc Longley (28)
PF Dennis Rodman (35)
SF Scottie Pippen (31) 2nd Team All NBA
PG Ron Harper (33)
SG Michael Jordan (33) 2nd-MVP
C Bison Dele (27)
F Toni Kukoc (28) 2nd, 6th Man of the Year
G Steve Kerr (31)
The Utah Jazz have been knocking on the door for years, losing in the West Finals in '92, '94, and last year. The Mailman is 33, regular season MVP, West Finals MVP. 26 year old Bryon Russell and 23 year old Greg Ostertag round out the front line. Greg Foster and Antoine Carr are also in the frontcourt rotation. 34 year old John Stockton was 3rd team All NBA, he and 33 year old Jeff Hornacek make up the backcourt. Shandon Anderson and Howard Eisley also get minutes. Utah's coached by a Chicago Bull lifer, Jerry Sloan, he played all but 59 games of an 11 year career in Chicago. 4 times Sloan was first team All Defense with the Bulls, he was on the two Bulls teams that were swept in consecutive NBA Finals in '74 and '75. After retirement he served as Bulls head coach for 3 seasons and has been the head man in Utah since '89.
JAZZ
HC-Jerry Sloan
C Greg Ostertag (23)
PF Karl Malone (33) MVP
SF Bryon Russell (26)
PG John Stockton (34) 3rd Team All NBA
SG Jeff Hornacek (33)
C Greg Foster (28)
F Antoine Carr (35)
G Howard Eisley (24)
G Shandon Anderson (23)
NBA FINALS GAME 1 (Chi) Jazz 111 Bulls 81
The Jazz whip Chicago on the road in game 1. 27 points for Karl Malone. 27 as well for Michael Jordan in the loss.
NBA FINALS GAME 2 (Chi) Bulls 109 Jazz 104
Chicago evens it up. 36 pts and 10 rebounds for Michael Jordan, looking to catch Wilt with 4 Finals MVPs. 21 and 13 for Scottie Pippen. 28 for the Mailman.
NBA FINALS GAME 3 (Utah) Jazz 117 Bulls 113
The Jazz are 2 wins from their first NBA Championship. 39 points and 13 rebounds for Malone. John Stockton had 21 assists and 11 pts. Jordan dropped 37 in the loss. 22 for Pippen.
NBA FINALS GAME 4 (Utah) Jazz 99 Bulls 88
The Utah Jazz go up 3 games to 1. 27 points for the Mailman. Double/double for John Stockton. 22 for Jordan in the loss. Scottie Pippen double/double.
NBA FINALS GAME 5 (Utah) Jazz 102 Bulls 86
It's done, the Utah Jazz are World Champions. 27 points for Karl Malone, Finals MVP, Greg Ostertag has a 20 rebound, 15 pt game. Jordan scores 28 in the loss, 23 for Pippen.
NBA Finals History
1947 (BAA): Philadelphia Warriors d. Chicago Stags (4-1)
1948 (BAA): Baltimore Bullets d. Philadelphia Warriors (4-2)
1949 (BAA): Minneapolis Lakers d. Washington Capitols (4-2)
1950: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2)
1951: Rochester Royals d. New York Knicks (4-3)
1952: Rochester Royals d. Syracuse Nationals (4-3) - MVP: Jack Coleman (PF 27 yrs)
1953: Boston Celtics d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-3) - MVP: Bob Cousy (PG, 24)Back
1954: Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals (4-2) - MVP: George Mikan (C, 29)
1955: Minneapolis Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) - MVP: Clyde Lovellette (C, 25)
1956: Philadelphia Warriors d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP: Neil Johnston (C, 26)
1957: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (C, 24)
1958: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-1) - MVP Bob Cousy (PG, 29)
1959: Syracuse Nationals d. Minneapolis Lakers (4-1) - MVP Dolph Schayes (PF, 30)
1950s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C George Mikan (Lakers)
F Bob Pettit (Hawks) - Playoff Player of the Decade
F Dolph Schayes (Nationals)
G Bob Cousy (Lakers)
G Bill Sharman (Lakers)
2nd Team
C Bill Russell (Lakers)
F Neil Johnston (Warriors)
F Clyde Lovellette (Lakers)
G Slater Martin (Lakers/Hawks)
G Paul Seymour (Nationals)
1960: St Louis Hawks d. Boston Celtics (4-2) - MVP Bob Pettit (PF, 27)
1961: Boston Celtics d. St Louis Hawks (4-0) - MVP Bill Russell (C, 26)
1962: Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 27)
1963: Cincinnati Royals d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Oscar Robertson (PG, 24)
1964: San Francisco Warriors d. Cincinnati Royals (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 27)
1965 Philadelphia 76ers d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 28)
1966 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 31)
1967 Philadelphia 76ers d. San Francisco Warriors (4-2) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 30)
1968 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Elgin Baylor (SF, 33)
1969 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-1) MVP Jerry West (SG, 30)
1960s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors/Sixers/Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade
F Elgin Baylor (Lakers)
F John Havlicek (Celtics)
G Jerry West (Lakers)
G Sam Jones (Celtics)
2nd Team
C Bill Russell (Celtics)
F Bob Pettit (Hawks)
F Chet Walker (Sixers)
G Oscar Robertson (Royals)
G Hal Greer (Sixers)
1970 Los Angeles Lakers d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Wilt Chamberlain (C, 33)
1971 Milwaukee Bucks d. New York Knicks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 23)
1972 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-3) MVP Jerry West (PG, 33)
1973 Los Angeles Lakers d. Boston Celtics (4-1) MVP Jim McMillan (SF 24)
1974 Boston Celtics d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP John Havlicek (SF 33)
1975 Washington Bullets d. Chicago Bulls (4-0) MVP Elvin Hayes (PF, 29)
1976 Phoenix Suns d. Boston Celtics (4-2) MVP Paul Westphal (PG, 25)
1977 Philadelphia 76ers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3) MVP Julius Erving (SF, 26)
1978 Philadelphia 76ers d. Denver Nuggets (4-2) MVP Doug Collins (SG, 26)
1979 Seattle SuperSonics d. Washington Bullets (4-3) MVP Dennis Johnson (SG, 24)
1970s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C Wilt Chamberlain (Lakers)
F John Havlicek (Celtics)
F Julius Erving (Sixers)
G Jerry West (Lakers) Playoff Player of the Decade
G Jo Jo White (Celtics)
2nd Team
C Dave Cowens (Celtics)
F Elvin Hayes (Bullets)
F Bob Dandridge (Bullets)
G Doug Collins (Sixers)
G Walt Frazier (Knicks)
1980 Boston Celtics d. Seattle SuperSonics (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 23)
1981 Boston Celtics d. Kansas City Kings (4-0) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 24)
1982 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) MVP Larry Bird (PF, 25)
1983 Philadelphia 76ers d.LA Lakers(4-3) MVP Moses Malone C 27/Julius Erving(SF 32)
1984 Los Angeles Lakers d. Milwaukee Bucks (4-3) MVP Kareem Abdul Jabbar (C, 36)
1985 Los Angeles Lakers d. Philadelphia 76ers (4-2) MVP Magic Johnson (PG, 25)
1986 Boston Celtics d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 29)
1987 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Kevin McHale (PF, 29)
1988 Boston Celtics d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1) MVP Larry Bird (SF, 31)
1989 Detroit Pistons d. Los Angeles Lakers (4-2) MVP Isiah Thomas (PG, 27)
1980s Playoffs All NBA
1st Team
C Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Lakers)
PF Kevin McHale (Celtics)
SF Larry Bird (Celtics)- Playoff Player of the Decade
PG Magic Johnson (Lakers)
SG Sidney Moncrief (Bucks)
2nd Team
C Robert Parish (Celtics)
PF Marques Johnson (Bucks)
SF Julius Erving (Sixers)
PG Dennis Johnson (Celtics)
SG Byron Scott (Lakers)
1990 Chicago Bulls d. Phoenix Suns (4-3) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 26)
1991 Chicago Bulls d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 27)
1992 Cleveland Cavaliers d. Portland Trail Blazers (4-2) MVP Mark Price (PG, 27)
1993 Seattle Super Sonics d. Chicago Bulls (4-2) MVP Shawn Kemp (PF, 23)
1994 Indiana Pacers d. Houston Rockets (4-1) MVP Reggie Miller (SG, 28)
1995 Houston Rockets d. Indiana Pacers (4-0) MVP Hakeem Olajuwon (C, 32)
1996 Chicago Bulls d. Seattle Super Sonics (4-1) MVP Michael Jordan (SG, 32)
1997 Utah Jazz d. Chicago Bulls (4-1) MVP Karl Malone (PF, 33)
